Spectrasonics Omnisphere Virtual Instrument

The Spectrasonics Omnisphere Virtual Instrument breaks completely new sonic ground by combining a wide variety of hybrid realtime synthesis techniques, an epic library of remarkable ‘Psychoacoustic’ sounds, and many innovative features that have never been seen before in any hardware or software synthesizer. The new instrument is the first to be based on Spectrasonics Steam Engine, the company’s newly developed core technology.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere Virtual Instrument Features:
-System
  -Powerfully simple interface design makes key features accessible to every user
  -Advanced users can "zoom" into deeper and deeper synthesis capabilities
  -Sophisticated Browser with searching, sound attributes, descriptions and images
  -8 independent Arpeggiators
  -World's first Arpeggiator with Groove LockTM - which allows the Arpeggiators to match the feel of Stylus RMX and MIDI Files.
  -Special performance-oriented Live Mode interface allows for seamless, interactive creative patch switching and layering on the fly
  -Stack Mode interface allows for complex patch layering, splits, and crossfades (velocity/positional/controller)
  -8-part multitimbral with built-in Mixer, Aux FX and Mastering FX racks
  -Advanced MIDI Learn and Automation parameter handling
  -Comprehensive integrated Reference Guide
  -Hours of free Tutorial Videos available online to registered users
-Synthesis
  -Oscillators can be sample-based or synth-based
  -Up to 10 oscillators per patch with new HarmoniaTM feature
  -Flex-ModTM modulation system allows powerful modular-style routing
  -Dual Layer architecture
  -High-definition streaming engine
  -Variable DSP Oscillator Waveshapes
  -Sophisticated Unison Detuning
  -Variable Analog Feel
  -Modulatable Hard Sync
  -Granular Synthesis
  -Innovative Chaos Envelopes
  -Polyphonic Timbre Shifting
  -Polyphonic Timbre Crushing
  -Polyphonic Waveshaper
  -Polyphonic Ring Modulation
  -Polyphonic Glide
  -FM Oscillators
  -Dual Filter architecture per Layer
  -Create filter combinations in series or parallel
  -Arrange and blend more than 17 Filter algorithms
  -Fully modulatable FX racks
  -Alternate tuning scales supported
  -6 full-featured LFOs per patch
  -8 Advanced Multi-breakpoint looping Envelopes per patch
  -Unique Dual Envelope interface - Simple ADSR-style or Advanced Graphic-style
  -Sampled soundsources can be processed with synthesis features!
-Sound Library
  -Vast Core Library - over 40GB with thousands of sounds
  -Cutting-edge sounds from the renowned Spectrasonics sound design team
  -Innovative "Psychoacoustic" soundsources for organic synthesis!
  -Unique multisampled "Composite MorphingTM soundsources
  -Integrates the award-winning, original Atmosphere® core library
  -Integrates best of Spectrasonics highly-acclaimed sample libraries
  -Massive variety of inspiring sounds for all types of music production
  -Searchable by sound attributes (Timbre, Genre, Mood, Tonality, Source, etc)
  -Expandable sound architecture
-Effects
  -Integrated, full-featured FX Racks
  -Up to 12 simultaneous FX per patch
  -Layer FX modulatable from any mod source
  -Hundreds of FX presets included
  -Over 32 original FX Processors covering the full spectrum of signal processing

Although the new synth is extremely powerful, Spectrasonics Omnisphere Virtual Instrument is designed with a unique user interface containing progressive layers of ‘zooming’ to accommodate the complete range of users, from musicians who just want to be inspired by the sounds and customize them in an easy way, to expert synthesists and the most advanced sound designers. Users can go deeper and deeper into the software and progress in their synthesis knowledge by simply exploring additional levels of sound manipulation options. To make sure that all users get the most out of the new capabilities, Omnisphere will ship with an extensive set of video tutorials and synthesis lessons taught by the renowned Spectrasonics sound design team.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere Virtual Instrument offers a host of hybrid synthesis and new control capabilities including Variable Waveshaping DSP synthesis, Granular synthesis, Timbre Shifting, FM, polyphonic Ring Modulation, high-resolution streaming Sample Playback, Harmonia, Dual Multimode Filter structure, Chaos Envelopes, an advanced Unison mode, and the innovative Flex-Mod modulation routing system.

The huge core library of Omnisphere is filled with years of creative sampling experiments and thousands of inspiring patches. Spectrasonics has pioneered several brand-new types of sampling for the core library of this instrument, including unique “Psychoacoustic” sounds and soundsources created with a new Composite Morphing Technique (CMT), which morphs the harmonic characteristics of one instrument to another. As a bonus, a section of the core library is also devoted to representing the best of Spectrasonics award-winning sample libraries. When all of these organic core library soundsources are combined with the synthesis power of the Steam engine, the sounds become “alive” in a truly dynamic and expressive way.

Among the many unique features this new multitimbral synth offers are its flexible arpeggiators with the innovative Groove Lock integration with Stylus RMX, allowing the arpeggiator’s pattern to instantly groove with the feel of the RMX drum loop; Live Mode for transitionless patch switching and layering, Stack Mode for powerful performance mapping; and integrated modulatable FX Racks.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere Virtual Instrument is also the successor to Spectrasonics’ popular Atmosphere instrument, and contains enhanced versions of all the classic Atmosphere sounds. However, the brand new core library in Omnisphere is 10-times the size of Atmosphere and features thousands of completely new and different sounds.

Virtual instruments built with the multitimbral Steam Engine offer many development possibilities into a variety of hybrid synthesis and control capabilities including high-resolution Streaming Sample Playback, Integrated FX, Variable Waveshape synthesis, Granular synthesis, FM synthesis, polyphonic Ring Modulation, Timbre Shifting, and a comprehensive Flex-Mod modulation routing system, to name a few.

Virtual instruments powered by Steam also have unlimited expansion possibilities. The new core software is flexible and open - allowing patches to be shared across hosts and computer platforms. Spectrasonics can also add new patches and sounds to the core library giving the user an ever-expanding sonic palette. In addition, all Spectrasonics virtual instruments based on S.A.G.E. and Steam technologies can interact in musically useful and innovative ways for a smoother creative flow.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere Virtual Instrument is cross-platform compatible with Apple Macintosh OS X 10.4 and higher as a native Universal Binary and also with Microsoft Windows XP/Vista.  Audio Units, VST, and RTAS plug-in formats are supported for compatibility with all major host software.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere Virtual Instrument System Requirements:
-2GB or more of RAM
-Dual Layer compatible DVD-ROM drive
-50GB of free hard drive space
-Mac Recommendations:
  -2.0 GHz or higher processor
  -G5 PowerPC compatible - Intel Core2Duo or higher recommended
  -OSX 10.4.9 or higher
  -AudioUnit, VST 2.4 or RTAS capable host software
  -Native Universal Binary for Intel Macs
-Windows Recommendations:
  -Pentium 3.0 GHz or higher (Intel Core2Duo recommended)
  -VST 2.4 or RTAS capable host software
  -Microsoft XP SP2 or later
  -Microsoft Vista compatible