Applied Acoustics Systems Chromaphone Review

chromaphone review

Ronnie Rekkerd shared his thoughts today on Applied Acoustics Systems’ Chromaphone physical modeling synthesizer:

With its physical modeling, Chromaphone produces wonderfully dynamic, expressive sounds. Experimenting pays off, as just the turn of a knob or two can yield completely different, unique sounds.

Needless to say, Chromaphone is a fantastic synthesizer for cinematic, soundtrack type works. It will likely suit many electronic music producers as well, especially in the area of ambient, minimal, and idm genres.

Chromaphone lets you combine ‘acoustic resonators’ to create drums, percussion, string, and synth-like instruments. The resonators’ material, tuning, and coupling parameters allow the creation of a wide range of instruments and sonic colors.

See Rekkerd’s full review and check out the demos below. And if you’ve used Chromaphone, let us know what you think of it!

Here’s the official intro video:

Chromaphone is available now for Mac & Windows for $199.

6 thoughts on “Applied Acoustics Systems Chromaphone Review

    1. In a virtual analog synthesizer, physical modeling is used to simulate the response of electrical circuits. AAS have also done that, with the Tassman. Here, however, it’s about virtual acoustics, which is more in the direction of Yamaha’s VL series or also some of the models available in Korg’s MOSS-based products.

  1. I think some Korg synths confused matter by calling Component Modelling Technology (CMT) physical modelling but really physical modelling means something else.

  2. I have Chromaphone and like it very much. It is an uncluttered and logical interace. It produces sounds that are feel real and interesting. Physical modeling is for me the most pleasing form of synthesis.

    Chromaphone is not super-versatile. There are many sounds that you can’t make it do. But it makes great sounds and is one of the VI’s I enjoy tinkering with.

  3. So, did they intend to make it look just like razor? Other than the visualization, it’s almost exact. Maybe it’s the same company…

  4. Chromaphone, minus the effects and the bidirectional energy exchange between resonators, is also known as Ableton Collision. You might already own this synth.

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