Alternatives to Absynth?

[glokraw]

Hi, Melodyshine
Clicks may come from network activity, and motherboard disk controllers polling
your drives, so turn off network/bluetooth/webcam type things in the bios,
and disconnect all but needed hardware, to see if it helps. A usb audio interface
that is underpowered by usb bus, or one on a cheap hub, is another concern.

The resonanance and other filter controls may also be adjusted,
which may be a source of clicks.

zynaddsubfx is 16 part multi-timbral, with lots of synth types
to use, and a host of presets to show it's sound range. Great
EPs, pads, strings, tines, plucks, vocals, and a nice multi-fx setup.
Forum is:

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=47

cheers

[BBFG#]

[pdxindy]

I just started playing with the full Absynth I got yesterday and I'm sure I need to to get a little deeper into it to apreciate it more. Not as impressed as I thought I might be with it yet.

I have Absynth and when I purchased I tried all the presets and was very impressed. Many of them are like a song on a keypress but over time I realized I never actually used Absynth. I find the GUI uninviting and the basic sound does not thrill me.

Once I had Alchemy along with Zebra, I used those for anything I might want to use Absynth for and like the overall sound quality better. I took Absynth off my machine and there it sits (metaphorically speaking)

[BBFG#]

[Sendy]

I know a local musician who loved Absynth so much they wanted to make an album of ambient music by just going through the presets and holding notes down.

[BBFG#]

[abique]

What about Zebra?

[4damind]

The only synth which I own since such a long time (I bought it 2001 or 2002, if it was released by NI) and fortunately it's a very unique synth in his sound and features (and still updated by NI).
My knowledge about Alchemy is not deep enough so I would think more of some semi-modular synth like Zebra or Synthmaker. But Absynth is Absynth... If you like this sound buy it and don't look back

Btw. there are some interesting videos with Brian Clevinger and John "Skippy" Lehmkuhl on Youtube for the features of Absynth 5.

[BBFG#]

The only synth which I own since such a long time (I bought it 2001 or 2002, if it was released by NI) and fortunately it's a very unique synth in his sound and features (and still updated by NI).
My knowledge about Alchemy is not deep enough so I would think more of some semi-modular synth like Zebra or Synthmaker. But Absynth is Absynth... If you like this sound buy it and don't look back

Btw. there are some interesting videos with Brian Clevinger and John "Skippy" Lehmkuhl on Youtube for the features of Absynth 5.

Thanks! I'll definitely check them out.

[BBFG#]

So far, I have to say the NI sounds in all of their synth forms are 'solid' and can even be called 'Pristine', Somehow though, they also sound and feel 'sterile'.

But the 'Skippy' videos and soundbanks seem to give it more life.
Seems like third party sounds are mandatory to make them better.

[Igro]

Does Absynth have a stereo unison? Or it just doesn't need it?

[4damind]

Absynth is often branded as a "Ambient" or "Soundscape/Effect" synth. But this is in my opinion based only of the factory presets where many of them are a bit too experimental.
Absynth can also create deep basses or pads, leads,... Lehmkuhl's patches showing a bit the other side of Absynth.

@Igro
No. Only Unison per oscillator, no stereo spread.

[BERFAB]

If you really love Absynth, use Absynth

+1

Surprised no one has mentioned Padshop Pro. For pads, a very lush sound. A very capable instrument.

Also top notch, as mentioned above:

Alchemy
Synthmaster
Z3ta+

cheers
-B

[synaesthesia]

Absynth scares people off a bit because it's GUI is quite unusual and a bit intimidating.

As well as the lovely, atmospheric ambient stuff, I really like Absynth for creating drifty analogue sounds.

[Igro]

No. Only Unison per oscillator, no stereo spread.

Thanks. I'm just a bit obsessed with stereo unisons. (i'm sick)