Different Instruments has introduced PartialString, a physical modeling synthesizer that generates sound by numerically solving the one-dimensional wave equation in real time.
Rather than relying on sampled sounds or traditional virtual analog oscillators, the instrument represents a vibrating string as a series of displacement points and computes the propagation of energy across the string. A virtual pickup measures the string displacement to generate the audio output.
The instrument supports up to 10 voices of polyphony, with the available voice count adapting dynamically according to CPU performance and the simulated string lengths.
Features:
- Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) physical modeling synthesis engine
- Real-time numerical solution of the one-dimensional wave equation
- Models the vibration of a plucked string as a displacement grid in memory
- Virtual pickup generates audio by measuring string displacement
- Supports up to 10-voice polyphony
- Dynamic voice allocation adjusts polyphony based on available processing power and simulated string length
- Adjustable excitation position along the string
- Adjustable excitation shape
- Velocity-sensitive excitation
- Pickup position is continuously adjustable
- Pickup position can be modulated by an LFO
- Pickup LFO operates up to audio rates for AM-like sidebands
- Adjustable string decay
- Dampers can be enabled or disabled
- Piano-style damper behavior can be enabled so damping occurs when notes are released
- Long undamped decay supports sustained pad-like sounds
- Available for macOS, Windows, and Linux
Pricing & Availability:
PartialString is available now as a free download, with an optional pay-what-you-want contribution. The instrument is available in Audio Unit and VST3 formats for macOS, VST3 for Windows, and VST3 for Linux.
I’m amazed that this is a freebie. Quite an impressive synth and it’s not long ago that a synth like this would have been $200.
Physical modeling has become more impressive lately. I mostly play Chromaphone, but I’m also interested in the ReFX Rippler, due any day now. Then there’s Reason’s modeler Objekt, which has its own interesting character.
PartialString is like the boutique side instrument in a mostly-modeled rig. Its nicely designed. I’m tempted, because it has a winning voice. Its not just a lab creature; it feels musically useful.
The softsynths Modal and Preperation 2 from Physical Audio are also rather new.
Physical Modeling is a sound synthesis method where software really shines.