w e i v Re
Image-Line
Harmor
synth out there. Every control worthy of modulation can have the appropriate modulations applied via a right click that will connect it to a dedicated envelope or LFO. Modulation matrix? That's so 2000!
One typical effect is missing and that's EQ. Harmor does supply EQ but it happens back in the frequency domain. There's a knob on the top panel to control how pronounced the equalization will be on whatever drawn curve you supply. Actually, there are two types of EQ, local and In this area we are once again we're global. The documentation says presented with some very original absolutely nothing about this, but it thinking and innovation. These appears that global is just that and capabilities go pretty deep and it's the only one of the two types affected going to take some time for the by the knob. Local EQ is (I assume) potential sound designer to come up per-note EQ and there's some to speed. For example, in defining an evidence that it follows keyboard LFO, many conventional manipulations are available but on top tracking. Once again, the documentation tells us nothing. of all that you can graphically define an envelope on top of your LFO that So, Want To Get Harmor-ed? modulates the modulator. A simple example of this can be seen in Figure Is Harmor for you? Although the list 2 where I've applied a delay and a price of $129 is more than reasonable fade-in to an LFO. But you can get as it's a little steep to call this a nowild and crazy as you'd like in manipulating the LFO behavior. About brainer. But unless you already have Harmless it's safe to say you do not the only thing I don't see (and it's a have another synth that is remotely bit of a gaping omission) is a random similar, no matter how many additive step or glide LFO curve. synths you have sitting on your DAW. For the price, this is excellent value, The graphic editors in which envelope and you can be assured that it won't and LFO shapes are defined take a duplicate the capabilities of some little while to get the feel of, but a bit other gear you've already shelled out of experimentation will get you to your hard-earned money on. where you're comfortable with the usage. There are powerful capabilities As I stated at the outset, I think here. Taking the time to learn to use Harmor has a stunning and original these editors properly will definitely sound. Image-line has audio samples provide a worthwhile return on your available here: investment. Finally, let's look at the effects section (Figure 3). Recall that we're finally doing processing in the time domain by the time our signal reaches this point. The offerings are pretty conventional other than there being a compressor which you don't see as a synth effect too often. Along with the compressor you have the usual suspects: chorus, distortion, delay and reverb. You should note that you can, once again, order these effects as you'd like in the Advanced tab. 35
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http://www.imageline.com/documents/harmor.html There are also a number of You-tube videos that will give you a good idea of what to expect. One that I find extremely revealing is a pre-release video in which the final movement of the Beethoven Moonlight Sonata is played through one of the piano presets while the demonstrator mouses about the interface tweaking various settings. By the way, the four December 2011
piano presets are perhaps the finest electronic piano patches I've ever come across. As you can see in the video, all the alterations one can do to a piano patch alone could make Harmor a must-have for some musicians. That video can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W EztcRBcO5s A general introductory video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af 0_00HKA24 A short but interesting demo of the image-synthesis features can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE k6dFd89Ck Adding It All Up Harmor is a deep, complex instrument that's a masterpiece of innovation. The sounds it can produce are breathtaking. I've only scratched the surface in discussing all of its features and capabilities in this short review, but they are abundant. This synth clearly deserves to be recognized as an elite contender in what's become a crowded marketplace. But the lack of adequate documentation is a very real problem and I can only hope that Image-Line will address it quickly. Harmor comes with some very nice presets, but I want many, many more. For that to happen, third party sound developers will need to understand how to use this instrument before they can produce their own preset collections. I want Harmor to be an unqualified success ‌ even though I'll admit my motivation is completely selfish. This one's a keeper!