Operation Manual

6 Introduction
1 Introduction
Chromaphone is a synthesizer dedicated to the creation of acoustic instruments. It is based on
the combination of acoustic resonators to create drums, percussion, string and hybrid synth-like
instruments. Membranes, bars, marimbas, plates, strings, and tubes form pairs that are excited
by a mallet and a flexible noise source. Access to different parameters such as the material of
the resonators, their tuning and hit position allow for the creation of a vast range of realistic and
creative instruments and sonic colors.
Chromaphone is entirely based on Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS) physical modeling tech-
nology and uses no sampling nor wave tables. Sound is produced by solving, on the fly, mathe-
matical equations modeling the different types of resonators and how they interact. This elaborate
synthesis engine responds dynamically to the control signals it receives while you play reproducing
the richness and responsiveness of real acoustic instruments. Chromaphone features a brand-new
coupling technology allowing an accurate description of the exchange of energy between the res-
onators resulting in rich and natural sounding tones.
Before discussing the synthesizer in more detail, we would like to take this opportunity to
thank you for choosing an AAS product. We sincerely hope that this instrument will bring you
inspiration, pleasure and fulfill your creative needs.
1.1 System Requirements
The following computer configuration is necessary to run Chromaphone:
Mac OS :
• Mac OS X 10.5 or later
• Intel Core processor or later
• 512 MB of RAM
• 70 MB of free hard drive space
• 1024 x 768 screen resolution
• Built-in audio interface
Windows :
• Windows XP SP2 32-bit or Windows Vista/7 32-bit/64-bit
• Intel Core or equivalent processor
• 512 MB of RAM
• 70 MB of free hard drive space
• 1024 x 768 screen resolution
• Windows-compatible audio interface
• Windows-compatible MIDI interface/keyboard