Applied Acoustics Systems Introduces Innovative, Real-Time Software Synthesizer

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Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS)announced its flagship product, the Tassman, a software synthesizer, based on physical modeling, that produces professional-quality sound in real time. The Tassman is the first modular software synthesizer to incorporate physical models of analog hardware, acoustic objects and musical instruments that are easily controlled by an aesthetically-familiar and ergonomically-friendly user interface.

Developed for amateur and professional musicians, sound designers, and audio post-producers, the Tassman can simulate analog hardware and acoustic instruments, create new instruments, and perform real-time processing of audio signals. The modularity of the software enables users to create an infinite number of musical instruments and sounds through various combinations of modules based on analog hardware, acoustic objects and musical instruments.

"AAS reviewed the capabilities of computer music products available to the music industry and realized that there is a need for a modular software, based on physical modeling, that enables users to create new and more realistic sounds," said Marc-Pierre Verge, president, Applied Acoustics Systems. "This inspired us to develop the Tassman, which addresses the demand that is building within the marketplace." The Tassman offers users "building blocks," which can be patched using their inputs and outputs for the creation of virtual electronic and acoustical musical instruments, as well as sound processing systems. This building block tactic allows users to save each patch in an expanding software library for later use when developing music.

The physical modeling approach used in the Tassman offers musicians the same expressive possibilities as real instruments. However, the software's physical modeling characteristics offer an even more valuable tool, the ability to create and play new instruments without constructing real ones.

The Tassman sells for $395. The software functions on a Windows 95 or 98 operating system.

For more information, visit their web site at www.applied-acoustics.com.