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Escape The Ordinary SC-Filter-VCA Path

If you're looking for the soft-synth favorite of the some of the world's best sound designers and musicians, then look no farther than Applied Acoustics Systems Tassman. Tassman lives in its own unique world of sound production, perfectly suited to today's requirements in Cinema, TV, and creative electronica projects. With a sound all its own, Tassman is an open system that gives you the rare opportunity to leave the ordinary SC-FILTER-VCA signal path of all other synths and venture down the road less taken. With Tassman, your ability to create unique soundscapes is only limited by your imagination and willingness to experiment.

Far from being an emulation of any one vintage synthesizer, the Tassman is in fact an ever-expanding collection of instruments and sound design tools, sure to provide inspiration for virtually any project.

Applied Acoustics Systems Tassman at a Glance:

• 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 24bit/192kHz.
  
• 32bit 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.

Physical Modeling: An Overview
Physical Modeling is a uniquely powerful synthesis technique, which uses the laws of physics to reproduce the behavior of an object. In other words the Tassman solves, in real time, mathematical equations describing how an object functions. It uses no sampling, it simply calculates the sound as you play in accordance to the controls it receives. This results in very natural and realistic sounds and reproduces the control you would expect from real acoustic instruments, as well as the warmth of real analog circuits.

Inspiration on Demand: Synths and Presets
The Tassman provides you with a collection of 50 pre-patched instruments, and over 1000 presets right out of the box. You'll find all the classic analog and FM instrument emulations you'd expect in a modular synthesis solution: staggeringly realistic acoustic instruments (including various drums and chromatic percussion), string instruments of all shapes and sizes, electric piano, tonewheel and pipe based organs and more, complete with the nuances and subtleties that would be simply unattainable with a sample based solution. Add to this, instruments, which allow you to import your own samples and utilize them as you would any of the other tone generators, and unique hybrid constructions that combine these various elements, and the possibilities are truly endless.

Drag and Drop Access: The Browser
While it may not add to the range of sounds the Tassman produces, the Browser is one of version 3's most exciting new features. Tassman's Browser is similar to those found in most email programs. Using a simple tree structure, all the elements used in the building and playing of synths are available using a visually intuitive, drag and drop approach, including instruments, sub-patches, modules and presets. This means you'll spend less time searching for the sounds you need, and more time getting down to the business of making music. The Tassman Browser also allows you to export a synth and all of its associated sub-patches and presets as a single file, for easy exchange with other users. The browser organizes all of the modules, sub-patches, instruments, and presets into clearly defined groups making it easy to find the tools you need, when you need them.

At the Controls: The Player
The front panel display of the Tassman's Player view was inspired by classic analog hardware making it easy to understand and use. All the parameters for each module are clearly mapped out using large, easy to read knobs and sliders, as well as classic 'chicken head' selectors and switches. Upon moving any of the on screen controls, the current MIDI value is displayed in the toolbar making it simple to set values precisely.

The Tassman Player's drop down menus contains the various control panels for audio and MIDI configuration, and performance. The Tassman supports many of the most popular driver standards including ASIO, EASI, DirectX, MME, Sound manager, and WDM, making it compatible with nearly every sound card on the market.

Create and Customize: The Builder
While the Tassman Player view makes it easy to tweak any of the existing presets to create your own custom sounds and save them for instant recall, the Tassman Builder also allows you to customize the way individual modules are connected within a synth, or even create your own instruments from the ground up, using an intuitive 'building block' approach. The Tassman also comes with various 'sub-patches (pre-configured groups of commonly used generators, filters, and effects), meaning you don't have to reinvent the wheel every time you think a synth could use a little something extra, and you can of course, create your own sub-patches for use in later constructions. You can also save sub-patch presets in Tassman just as you would with a hardware effects unit. This 3 level approach to modules, sub-patches, and instruments means the you can explore the Tassman at your own pace. The range of creative possibilities expands right along with you.

Double clicking on any module in the Tassman Builder brings up its properties window, allowing you to set nearly all parameters before launching your synth, giving you complete control of its initial state. This window also allows you to set the vertical position of each module across the eight rows of the player interface. The modules horizontal positions are a mirror image of their placement in the builder.

Total Integration: Plug-ins
The Tassman also offers total integration with today's most powerful sequencing applications as a DXi, MAS, and VST instrument plug-in, or via the DirectConnect interface for Pro Tools.

From unrivaled recreations of analog and acoustic instruments, to wildly adventurous cinematic textures, the Tassman puts the shape of sound design in your hands.

Applied Acoustics Systems Tassman 4 New Features:

Performance Mode:
Performances provide instant access to your sounds by combining a synth, a preset, effects and MIDI maps. For quick and easy access, you can organize performances by style, by type or even by venues.
Output Stage:
The new Output Stage includes sync-to-host capability, tempo-synced ping-pong delay, reverb, and audio recorder. While providing instant control over playback and recording of your performances, the Output Stage also adds depth, warmth and dimension to any synth.
Expanded Library:
New collection of synthesizers and effects created by top sound designers. Their focus has been on the creation of highly usable sounds for musicians and studio professionals.
Audio Input Processing:
The Tassman can now be used as a real time audio effects processor! For instance, acoustic resonators can be used to add unique textures to your sound. Use it as an effect plug-in with your favorite host application.
Improved Algorithms:
Improved acoustic objects and generators that sound better than ever.

Specification Detail Software Type Synth Supported Computer Format Mac, PC Supported Plug-In Formats Standalone, RTAS, VST, AU Hardware Requirements - Mac Apple G5 or Intel Core CPU Hardware Requirements - PC Intel Pentium 3 1GHz or equivalent CPU or faster, 512MB RAM OS Requirements - Mac Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later OS Requirements - PC Windows XP or later Manufacturer Part Number AADL-TSM