Absynth 6

[voidhead23]

Yup, that's the exact post I followed to transfer patches, I caught up on this thread before I upgraded. I appreciate the help, but yeah, something is up on my end.

[machinesworking]

I have to say, I don't really get absynth. What things can it do that you can't already with synths like Serum and Phaseplant?

First of all thanks for not crapping on this thread with your disdain, and actually asking a serious question. Personally I don't think it sounds much like either of those synths, but to be fair I've owned Absynth since 2005 roughly and do not own either of those. The guts of Absynth may be the same as a lot of modular modern synths not attempting to be analog copies: granular, wavetable etc. but the envelopes and the FX are their own sound for sure, even the waveshaper is it's own thing, never heard another like it.

I mean why do we own more than a single workstation synth if a synth or two of that quality can do "anything"? Maybe it's because synths tend to be designed in a way that takes advantage of certain characteristics and the idiosyncrasies of the developers tastes? Someone mewntioned Zebra as comparable, and I find that to be laughable, Zebra is a very warm sounding wavetable synth compared to Absynth which excels at cold soundscapes. I used them in tandem for years partially because of this, they sat well next to each other.

Most of the sounds you can make in a workstation/semi modular synth are going to be roughly the same, or close, the whole reason to own more than a handful of synths is because each excels at something. I think of Serum as a lead EDM synth in a lot of ways, and it's only really weird breathy leads, or warped delayed ones that I think of with Absynth. Plus again, the Delays in Absynth are far different than Serums standard competent multiple FX section.

The upgrade was an instant purchase for me, still one of my favorite synths, starting in on the manual to learn ab0ut the new stuff now.

[Raddler1]

Looks like min requirement is macOS 14. I'm on 13. Would this still work for me? I'm thinking yes, but probably not officially tested and supported. Not sure though.

[Touch The Universe]

I just found out I get 2 Massive X expansions free. Cool.

I've made some too, how about another one for free. Or anyone else who happens to stumble across this

Hey, I'm not proud. I'll take free stuff. LOL. Thanks.

[perox]

Yeah would have liked to see more parameters exposed. With these 16 Macros only, it's Massive X again. The keyboard controller tweaks for any given patch are restricted to the 16 macros.

Absynth 5 is just the same - you assign params internally to macros - macros are what is exposed to the host for host automation (plus a master envelope).

Sure, but Absynth 5 was 16 years ago!
What’s surprising is that many parameters do respond to the Mutate and Randomize functions, so you’d think those same parameters could have been made available for automation. But no… And since automation still isn’t available in Massive X, I guess we shouldn’t expect it anytime soon in Absynth either…

Because to some extent Absynth is still modular synth, so exposing individual parameters is problematic as one patch can use totally different modules than other. It is simple to implement for plugins with fixed structure, but not with modular...

[perox]

I have to say, I don't really get absynth. What things can it do that you can't already with synths like Serum and Phaseplant?

First of all thanks for not crapping on this thread with your disdain, and actually asking a serious question. Personally I don't think it sounds much like either of those synths, but to be fair I've owned Absynth since 2005 roughly and do not own either of those. The guts of Absynth may be the same as a lot of modular modern synths not attempting to be analog copies: granular, wavetable etc. but the envelopes and the FX are their own sound for sure, even the waveshaper is it's own thing, never heard another like it.

I mean why do we own more than a single workstation synth if a synth or two of that quality can do "anything"? Maybe it's because synths tend to be designed in a way that takes advantage of certain characteristics and the idiosyncrasies of the developers tastes? Someone mewntioned Zebra as comparable, and I find that to be laughable, Zebra is a very warm sounding wavetable synth compared to Absynth which excels at cold soundscapes. I used them in tandem for years partially because of this, they sat well next to each other.

Most of the sounds you can make in a workstation/semi modular synth are going to be roughly the same, or close, the whole reason to own more than a handful of synths is because each excels at something. I think of Serum as a lead EDM synth in a lot of ways, and it's only really weird breathy leads, or warped delayed ones that I think of with Absynth. Plus again, the Delays in Absynth are far different than Serums standard competent multiple FX section.

The upgrade was an instant purchase for me, still one of my favorite synths, starting in on the manual to learn ab0ut the new stuff now.

Good post. I think it is partially about the workflow and mainly about having fun and enjoying making music. This "experimental" synths like Absynth, Dawesome stuff, etc. brings some another approach, dimension, palette, lucky hit and simple prepared playground for this experimentation. They are designed for this.

[EvilDragon]

Because to some extent Absynth is still modular synth, so exposing individual parameters is problematic as one patch can use totally different modules than other. It is simple to implement for plugins with fixed structure, but not with modular...

This.

[Dirtgrain]

tbh I don't use the preset explorer - I don't really see how it is useful unless you just plan to use the presets it came with unless NI add the ability to analyse new patches and incorporate add-on banks.

I don't have it, but in the video I watched, it seemed maybe a quick way to get close to a desired sound--then you can either mutate ad nauseum--or tweak. That seems useful to me if the little dot/nodes are well organized by timbre/style.

[machinesworking]

Personally I'm fine with a Macro system myself. This "should" allow for Mackie Control protocol capable, and NI"s own Kontrol mk3 series to see the first 8-64 parameters without issues. In the case of the mk3 this is true, the first 24 parameters of macros pop up on the knobs of the Kontrol s88 mk3 here without the Komplete Kontrol plugin. It's likely the same if you have a device that supports the Mackie Control protocol and can read automation etc.

I get it if you're looking to just draw in automation in your DAW, but it's a nice permanent step if you save it in the patch.

[Echoes in the Attic]

Yeah would have liked to see more parameters exposed. With these 16 Macros only, it's Massive X again. The keyboard controller tweaks for any given patch are restricted to the 16 macros.

Absynth 5 is just the same - you assign params internally to macros - macros are what is exposed to the host for host automation (plus a master envelope).

Sure, but Absynth 5 was 16 years ago!
What’s surprising is that many parameters do respond to the Mutate and Randomize functions, so you’d think those same parameters could have been made available for automation. But no… And since automation still isn’t available in Massive X, I guess we shouldn’t expect it anytime soon in Absynth either…

Because to some extent Absynth is still modular synth, so exposing individual parameters is problematic as one patch can use totally different modules than other. It is simple to implement for plugins with fixed structure, but not with modular...

This has been solved by many modular synth plugins though.

[wagtunes]

I just found out I get 2 Massive X expansions free. Cool.

I've made some too, how about another one for free. Or anyone else who happens to stumble across this

Hey, I'm not proud. I'll take free stuff. LOL. Thanks.

Here ya go, link is live for a bit. If anyone else downloads, please say thanks

Thank you so much man. I really appreciate this.

[foosnark]

I like it quite a bit. It's been so long since I used Absynth 5 that my whole approach to synthesis and music making has changed radically, and Absynth 6 fits it fairly well where I felt like it used to be outside my regular domain. The interface no longer looks like a Winamp skin designed by an edgy 12-year-old. It supports MPE. There are some new filters and higher resolution on some things. It's a pretty good refresh IMHO, and even though I had the old one it might as well be a new synth to me.

The preset browser thing looks nice but I find I don't care -- I am just as unlikely to use presets with Absynth as I am with other synths. I really enjoy the process of starting from an INIT patch and building the sound from the ground up. (Why it doesn't actually come with an INIT patch or a button to initialize is a mystery, but I made my own.)

I don't mind the macro system for modulation. The way modulation assignment works is not my favorite, but it hasn't been an obstacle so far. It's worth it for the sound. I can get my spooky ghostly stuff, beautiful pads and distorted industrial hellscapes. That's all I really wanted

[liquidsound]

Has someone a 25$ voucher from NI for a poor composer of strange sounds?
Would be welcome (and increases your Karma level!).

If subscribe to the Newsletter you get a $25 discount code.

[perox]

Yeah would have liked to see more parameters exposed. With these 16 Macros only, it's Massive X again. The keyboard controller tweaks for any given patch are restricted to the 16 macros.

Absynth 5 is just the same - you assign params internally to macros - macros are what is exposed to the host for host automation (plus a master envelope).

Sure, but Absynth 5 was 16 years ago!
What’s surprising is that many parameters do respond to the Mutate and Randomize functions, so you’d think those same parameters could have been made available for automation. But no… And since automation still isn’t available in Massive X, I guess we shouldn’t expect it anytime soon in Absynth either…

Because to some extent Absynth is still modular synth, so exposing individual parameters is problematic as one patch can use totally different modules than other. It is simple to implement for plugins with fixed structure, but not with modular...

This has been solved by many modular synth plugins though.

Which ones?

[EvilDragon]

Reaktor and Kontakt have a slot assign system.

Well, so does Absynth. It just has 16 slots, not 1000.