Applied Acoustics Systems has introduced Chromaphone 3, a major update to its its acoustic object synthesizer for macOS and Windows.
Chromaphone 3 is described as a “two-voice eight-physically-modeled-acoustic-resonator synthesizer”, offering advanced editing capabilities that let you create sounds with a ‘real-life presence’, but which go beyond the possibilities of traditional physical instruments.
“Adding depth and dimension was the name of the game for this next iteration of our favorite synthesizer,” says Eric Thibeault, product designer at AAS. “Chromaphone 3 is now bitimbral. Combining two independent Chromaphone synthesis engines opens up a whole new world in terms of content. We’ve also added per-layer macros that allow sound designers to make sound variations an integral part of the design process.”
Here’s what’s new in Chromaphone 3:
- Home view—the Home view presents a distraction free browsing and tweaking experience.
- Two-Voice Multitimbral—Two independent timbres—stacked or split—create performance-friendly, texture-full, and spacious sounds.
- Macros—Four performance macros per layer that respond to user-defined MIDI controls. Each and every sound features modulation, timbre, envelope, and effect morphing assignments that can be played in real time for enhanced expressivity and sonic dimension.
- Browser—The new browser offers an efficient way to home in on the right sounds, with with Packs, Sounds, Categories, and Creators views.
- Factory Library—Chromaphone 3’s factory library contains 421 new sounds, as well as refined versions of the 670+ Chromaphone 2 presets.
Audio Demos:
Pricing and Availability:
AAS Chromaphone 3 in now available at a suggested retail price of US$199. The upgrade for Chromaphone 1 and 2 registered users is priced at $79.
Through November 20, 2020, Chromaphone 3 is available with introductory pricing of 50% off. See the AAS site for more information.
I bought this as I was impressed by the idea, layout and of course the sounds. It is very good and extremely versatile – even producing some great bass sounds. I suppose if I wanted to be picky, more modulation and a Mod Matrix would be welcome. But hey, you can have too many bells and whistles (pun intended/not intended).
I like Chromaphone 2 very much, but after checking the specs, this offers nothing new for me apart from the GUI and the browser… I have no use for macros or a simplified home view. The complex physics based editor is the whole point of this instrument!
I’ve kind of been on the fence, but the thing you don’t mention is the stacking option. I think I might be able to create a similar effect with two instances, but with the macro it might make things like crossfading more easy. So I could take voice one and making it an attack portion and take the second voice and make it more of a sustain/decay portion.
Their factory content is always pretty good, so getting a bunch more presets has some value for me.
I’m with stub concerning the two-layer aspect. I don’t say “unique” often, but this instrument comes close. I’ve played Chromaphone 2 for a while and its hugely useful. I have the full add-on library, yet I’ve generally used it as a solo or at least one-track tool. It has a winning clarity that’s on the opposite end from a fat Moog patch, although it can sound surprisingly synth-y. The new bi-timbral powers and browser make it one to ponder. I also get good mileage from Strum. I have 3 VAs already or I’d take up their Ultra Analog synth, which is also bi-trimbral now. BTW, an appreciative nod to AAS for superior customer service.
It’s also worth noting that, besides being able to layer two sounds, they can be made to interact with each other in more complex ways, in the vein of how individual elements of a complex acoustic instrument can interact physically. They demonstrate that in one of their videos, and it sounds like a very unique and useful function!