Ableton’s physical modelling string synthesiser
Tension is a string synthesiser built with Applied Acoustics Systems using physical modelling. Instead of starting with a waveform, it simulates the parts of a real stringed instrument and how they interact. First comes how the string is played, by bow, hammer or plectrum. Then the string itself, a damper, fingers or frets, a pickup and finally the body that makes it resonate. Each stage can be changed, so you can recreate a guitar, a violin or a piano-like tone. You can also build instruments that couldn’t exist, such as a bowed string inside a tiny body or a hammered string the size of a room. Because every note is calculated live, Tension responds to how you play in ways samples can’t. It’s especially good for plucked basses, bowed drones and textures with an acoustic, organic edge. Tension is included in Live Standard and Suite.
Features
Excitator with bow, hammer, bouncing hammer and plectrum modes, and adjustable position on the string
String with damping and decay to simulate materials from nylon to steel
Vibrato with delay, fade-in and random error for natural playing
Damper with mass and stiffness, from felt to a player’s fingers
Termination that simulates fingers and frets
Pickup with adjustable position along the string
Body with four instrument types, in sizes from tiny to extra large
Filter with its own envelope and LFO
Unison, glide and legato in the global section
MPE support for expressive playing
Great for
Plucked basses
Bowed drones
Guitar- and harp-like plucks
Hybrid acoustic textures
Natural techno leads
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