AS-4000 is a 64-Bit Universal VST3 analog-style string synth with a few extra tricks up its sleeve.
There are a trillion analog-style VST. Some are good, many are just meh. I have taken the ‘technologies’ behind 4-Lines Later and 6th Dimension and built them into a synth, which is very thick & rich as a result of uncommon approaches under the hood. This is a character instrument focused on things that can’t easily be done in a typical uber-synth.
AS-4000 presents as a string synth like a Polymoog or Solina. Beyond this, though, the synth was designed from the start to have other methods of operation, which can range from a simple additive “organ” to strums and evolving pads. Each uses the same architecture but changes the mindset used to approach the knobs.
There are no Presets as I hope people will program their own sounds rather than just dip in and abandon. This will mean that it makes a lot more sense to watch the video to understand how different sorts of sounds are generated. The default (only) preset is deliberately reminiscent of the famous Vox Human preset beloved of Gary Numan fans.
Each of the Ocillators tends to be a bit different. This is a big part of the overall richness of the sounds produced. If you want to take advantage of a specific feature, it pays to understand the hidden features of the Oscillators to decide which best suits your desired outcome. Or ignore all that and just use ’em.
- Osc 1: Note Pitching is directly affected by the Slop knob. This is the only Osc directly affected in this way.
- Osc 2: Delay Time is moved by the Slop (random) amount at note on. This can sound like portamento as it only happens at note on.
- Osc 3: Delay Time is modulated by the Echo Mod
- Osc 4: Delay Time is modulated by an offset of the Echo Mod
The Delay parameter within each oscillator is very unusual in a synth. Using this helps give the big fat, flubby sound we hope for from a Polymoog etc. The initial result of a time movement of the Osc is a kind of phase offset. This is the same as we get in a classic analog synth, where waves are “free running”. Further, vibrato is also delayed so there is a phase offset there too. This movement is effectively random, so the sound is less safe than the typical Juno Chorus approach.
Delaying the Oscilators also allows for a kind of Strum effect as each osc plays back one after the other. Nice for electric piano or ostinato effects. With slow envelopes (incl by using Env Offsets), this can be used to make more moving or evolving pads.
The Filter section is deliberately relatively simple. Filters and Env are per voice but handle the output of the Osc bank as a whole (typical but worth noting here). Filters are locked to 12dB SEM style for the greatest versatility. I will strongly encourage the use of a powerful EQ to really pull out the tone/s that you want, rather than relying on on-board filters.
Slop is a Drift or Age knob that affects several parameters, mostly Osc 1 Pitch, Low Pass Filter Cutoff, Vibrato Rate, and Delay Time for Osc 2. These changes work together to make a very rich (or drunk over 50%) synth.
Dynamic is an odd knob in an analog synth, but it makes perfect sense to anyone familiar with sampled string libraries. Like any classic string machine, AS-4000 is not velocity sensitive, but a knob with a nice curve makes automating level with a controller like Mod Wheel easy. Set this up in your DAW to suit your preferred control. Or simply smooth notes in and out in your sequencer without affecting the overall Master Volume.
Manual & Support
The video below is the complete Manual. All Support requests must be made via the discussion on YouTube.
p.s. Please don’t send me emails saying how I done shoulda done some typical feature. I deliberately am making something different here. Everything else already has that (typically boring) feature so you don’t need it again.
Benedict Roff-Marsh 