Applied Acoustic Systems Chromaphone 3 $199

>Chromaphone was already an excellent physical modelling synth for creating realistic sounds by simulating the properties of bars, membranes, tubes, plates et al, but version 3 makes things even more flexible.

Instead of selecting a paltry two of these resonators to run alongside each other or coupled together, the physical phun is doubled here, as you select two pairs of them, with control over each one’s properties, and those of the mallet you’re virtually smacking them with.

Modulation is assignable per layer, as are a choice of 14 effects, and the well-featured arpeggiator and sequencer.

The consequence of all of this: you can run two complementary sounds in one Chromaphone patch, each wielding a pair of resonators, a different sequence or arp pattern, different modulation and different effects.

It’s a wildly comprehensive, hella realistic virtual instrument for people who like hitting things with sticks but simply don’t have time – or a comprehensive collection of percussion instruments – at their disposal.

VERDICT 9.2

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