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Tassman
Tassman by Applied Acoustics Systems is a Virtual Instrument Audio Plugin for macOS and Windows. It functions as a VST Plugin, an Audio Units Plugin and an AAX Plugin.
Product
Version
4.1.8
Product
Version
4.1.9
Instrument
Formats
Copy Protection
Online Activation (Challenge / Response)
My KVR - Groups, Versions, & More
191 KVR members have added Tassman to 17 My KVR groups 228 times.
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KVR Rank

Overall: 608   474   603

30-Day: 624; 7-Day: 555; Yesterday: 2169

Tassman is a rich modular sound synthesis environment based on physical modeling. It brings together highly realistic emulation of acoustic instruments, analog and FM synthesizers, loop processors, and crazy hybrid creations simply not possible by any other means. Tassman is both an impressive collection of unique synths and effect processors, and a tightly integrated environment which lets you customize patches in any way you wish. Great sounds, complete control, and sound design power - that's what Tassman is all about.

Feature Highlights:

  • Polyphonic modular synthesizer and sound design environment.
  • Entirely based on physical modeling for outstanding sound quality.
  • Huge synth and effect library - more than 50 synths and 1000 presets.
  • Modules library for customizing or creating synths - effects, envelopes, filters, generators, inputs, outputs, MIDI, logic, mixers, resonators, selectors and sequencers.
  • Generators and resonators include acoustical objects - flute, mallets, organ, plectrum, beams, marimbas, membranes, plates, strings and tubes.
  • User expandable module library - reuse, organize and simplify patch building.
  • Unlimited modules per patch.
  • Internal audio recorder to capture performances on the fly.
  • Integrated browser, browser filters and locate function for easy navigation and organization of Tassman elements.
  • Triggered playback and record for perfect loops.
  • Import/Export functions for easy sharing of synths and effects.
  • Unlimited Undo/Redo capability.
  • Drag and Drop capability between Tassman elements.
  • Audio bit-depth and sample rates up to 24-bit/192kHz.
  • 32-bit floating point internal processing.
  • Real time calculation of sound - no samples.
  • Simultaneous operation of multiple MIDI ports and user defined MIDI maps.
  • MIDI automation and program change support.
  • Supports all standard plugin formats.
  • Full audio and MIDI hardware support.
  • Standalone operation - no host application required.

Latest User Reviews

Average user rating of 4.00 from 7 reviews
Tassman

Reviewed By Q9000 [all]
December 7th, 2020
Version reviewed: 4.1.8 on Windows

Pro:

* 2020: still unique sound in a modular system.

* allows to model physically impossible instruments, such as a pluck hitting a metal plate which feeds into other signals which feeds int the same metal plate etc.

* number of modules in a design just limited by CPU resources.

Contra:

* cumbersome UI.

* some bugs/problems which probably won't get fixed.

* no Linux support (no big issue).

* last update was in 2015.

Bugs/Problems I encountered:

* samples of the sampler module need to have the same bitrate as the plugin is using, this is annoying.

* I couldn't figure out how to go back in sub-modules without jumping back to the overall design of the instrument.

The program runs fine in 64-bit VST DAW's, which is great.

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Tassman

Reviewed By tommyzai [all]
December 3rd, 2012
Version reviewed: 10.7 on Mac

Tassman by Applied Acoustics Systems is an amazing virtual analog synthesizer. This thing is a monster! I don't think there are any other physically modeled modular synths out there like this one. It's truly unique in look and sound. How can this plugin not make the top 10 VSTi list? The interface is simple, user-friendly, and fun. It's color coded to keep things neat and clean. There are lots and lots of great presets that are easy to tweak, but it's also fast and fun to construct your own instruments. The best part about Tassman is the sound — truly amazing, responsive, and as another reviewer called it. .. "MUSICAL." I highly recommend this plugin for designers, players, and producers of any genre!

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Tassman

Reviewed By ozmoz2008 [all]
December 22nd, 2009
Version reviewed: 4.1.4 on Windows

This synth often pass under the radar, but I really don't understand it. It is truly amazing, the sound is very expressive.

In fact I just rediscovered this synth because of the latest upgrade they made.(today in fact)

So Overall, the GUI is not that fancy, it's not an imitation of a hardware synth, but it sounds so much better than some other VSTs that look like hardware synths, that I don't really get it when people are complaining about the GUI. It maybe not a synth that is easy to mastered for programming, but it doesn't make it a bad GUI either. Everything is right there in your face.

The preset sounds are awesome. If you are the kind of person looking for inspiring sounds right out of the box, this is the synth for you.

The VST sounds are very usable in a working situation. I do lots of soundtracks, and this synth with it's expressiveness is able to fulfill a lot of my needs. It's really very fun to compose with these sounds. There is a depth that is obvious, and some overtones qualities that are not common in many Synth today.

I didn't had the chance to read a lot the documentation, but it is quite complete from what I saw. If you have more questions just send them an email, they have a very very good support. I have written to them often and they always respond within a day or 2.(mostly within 2-3 hours). They are also very polite and know how to serve you well.(not the case with all companies)

I bought the synth with the complete bundle, so for me it was a very affordable expense. Totally worth!

I had stability problems before the new updates on Cubase 5.1, but since the last 2 updates, it is really stable, no more problems.

This synth should be in the top 10 VSTs in the reviews, very hard to compete with when it comes to sound, and for someone like me who depends a lot on the sound quality I can get to please my clients, this is the kind of VST that does the job, every time!

I hope that AAS continue to do some other great synth like Tassman, for me it is a big 2 thumbs up !
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Tassman

Reviewed By spmadmin [all]
April 25th, 2004
Version reviewed: 4.0 on Windows

UI
I'm not supposed to use this word, but Tassman's UI sucks --- especially the builder is really, really bad. It is such a pain to connect modules and work with (sub)patches. Why not use bigger icons for modules/subpatches and write a label on the in-/outlets. Changing the number of inlets or outlets of subpatches is not immediately reflected in other (subpatches) and...well, so many other annoying issues. Work hard on the builder, AAS, and you will end up with a wicked product, but for now it is just...so poor. Also, the tree browser is not a suitable interface for accessing both instruments, presets, performances, modules and subpatches. Please rethink this --- load instruments as files, access modules and subpatches in toolboxes (as in e.g. Visual Studio), etc. The keyboard shortcuts are too few --- and do not cover what you really need (e.g. show/hide browser). The look and feel of the modules in the player is actually quite good, although not visually perfect --- and too big. It should be possible to select other colors and styles for the modules.

Sound
The sound is IMO the best analogue/physical emulation around...only rivalled by Arturia's VST instruments. I love this sound --- combined with good live modulations (wheel, breath) this instrument makes me want to play and play. Arturia's Minimoog in the only other VSTi that feels as expressive as some of the Tassman instruments.

Features
I think Tassman has almost all the modules you need to create exiting synths. I does need a better sample player, though.

Documentation
Given the non-intuitive UI, the documentation is insufficient. Not misleading or badly written, just insufficient, especially on the builder and the modules.

Presets
Some awesome synths among the intruments, some of them with a good deal of presets...some presets are even really good. BUT --- not enough. To show of the capabilities of Tassman, more synths and more presets with each synth should be provided. Also, they sould be better organized and described.

Customer support
I have not personally used AAS suppport, but I have been following their activity/repsonses on KVR and elsewhere. Also, I have to say that the slow evolution of the product indicates a lack of user responsiveness...combined with the upgrade policies so far, it drags down on this rating.

Value for money
I got Tassman 3 for $130, with free upgrade to version 4. That was OK, but the full retail price is absurd given the current state of the product.

Stability
Rock solid as standalone, but it has crashed in Cubase SX 2 a few times --- therefore I would be very reluctant to use it in a project, despite its very good sound.

All in all...
The sound is just wonderful, but the UI and the (in)stability in Cubase SX turns me off. I am happy to have this VST in my collection, as I think I will play with it often, but I doubt that I will use it in a project until after a few updates. I'll stay on the upgrade path, though.

Peace...
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Tassman

Reviewed By multree [all]
December 21st, 2003
Version reviewed: 3.02 on Windows

Is this what Mary Shelly was writing about in her book 'Frankenstein'? Well words like: modular, physical modelling and builder show a certain affinity to this gothic melodrama. But where Frankenstein was only meant to imitate life, Tassman is capable of a whole lot more. It's able to generate sounds never known to the human ear (okay this may apply to Frankenstein, too). Most VST-musicians may know this way of working from NI's Reaktor, but again Tassman takes a slightly different approach. The interface isn't created from scratch - Tassman falls back on readymade modules which can be connected in various ways in the instrument's builder. Sadly it isn't possible to audition any sounds in the builder, and it's necessary to switch back to the player modus every time.

The 'physical modelling' engine is very interesting and responsible for its organic and realistic nature-like sounds. A modelled flute e.g. which was created in Tassman, sounds more real than most static bread & butter flute samples. Just because physical modelling doesn't describe the sound itself, but the physical circumstances of its emergence. So if you're playing the same note over and anon, it isn't starting from 'zero' again but evolves from where the sound is - at this exact moment.

And even though it's really no big deal to build a new instrument, the over 1000 presets are enough to please even the laziest musician. Instruments like: flutes, congas, marimbas, organs or synth like Moog or the ARP Odyssey are only a few of the available patches and they all sound pretty real. But when you compare the Odyssey preset to the Oddity you'll find a difference in note priority - still the sound comes really close.

So all in all, this is a great tool for sound designers and synth freaks. But $ 449 isn't what I call very cheap, still its versatility and great sounding modules are worth much of it. And for users of Reaktor or Reason, times are really good, since AAS has a very nice crossgrade-offer. There are downloadable versions (Mac/PC) of Tassman on their website for only - and now be prepared to get your wallet out - $ 199, while there's no need to send in your Reaktor CD, dongle or anything else. By the way, the AU upgrade for Tassman (and Lounge Lizzard 2) is free for registered users and can be downloaded from their website, too.
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Comments & Discussion for Applied Acoustics Systems Tassman

Discussion
Discussion: Active
Mikes_Land
Mikes_Land
30 March 2013 at 2:55pm

I would agree with most people on here that the sound you get from Tassman is second to none and I rate it very highly, but the major problem with it is that, up til now anyway, it is not compatible to be automated within Ableton Live.

I'm actually hoping someone gets back to me to tell me this has been addressed, I would gratefully stand corrected.

Thanks.

Mike.

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