new software synth

Well, I got this by e-mail today, and it looks kind of interesting.
My impression is there will be more things like this coming up... Not
sure of the tuning capabilities, but my guess is they could
be "tweaked..." Isn't this a little like what "Reaktor" was trying
to do??

Hello Joseph,

On August 6th, Sound Quest will begin shipping Infinity v2.0, the
complete sound design and multi-media control studio. For more
information on this long awaited release please keep reading, or go
directly to Sound Quest's web site at www.squest.com for additional
information, graphics, and introductory offer.

Create Your Own Synthesizers, Samplers and Audio Effects
-------------------------------------------------------------
With Infinity 2.0 you can now create synthesizers, samplers, and
audio effects devices which are as simple or as complex as you need
them to be. Its potential is virtually limitless. Imagine creating
your own synth using 4, 8, 12 or 16 oscillators instead of just the 2
that a typical hardware synthesizer usually gives you.

Infinity is a powerful and intuitive real-time audio development
platform. An extensive set of modules - there are over 360 of them -
provide the building blocks you use to create your own audio tools.
Building your instrument is as easy as clicking, pointing and linking
up each of the necessary elements together. You will quickly be able
to build virtually any audio effect, synth, or sampler you can
imagine.

Create Your Own Completely Original Sounds
-----------------------------------------------
With Infinity you can connect any module to any other module. This
gives you the freedom to create your own collection of completely
original sounds from the unusual and unexpected, to the extreme - all
of the things you can't do with your traditional instrument hardwired
to the standard Oscillator-Filter-Amplifier audio path.

This "no boundaries" approach will make Infinity an indispensable
part of your studio. Infinity gives you all of the standard synth and
sampler sounds when you need them but now you will also have the
tools to undertake any audio exploration you can imagine - from
twisted FM, to mutated samples, to frequency domain processed sounds.

Plug Infinity in Anywhere
-------------------------
Infinity isn't just a self-contained sound creation studio. It also
includes support for all major Windows audio and MIDI plug-in
formats: DXi, VSTi, VST, DirectX 8.0 and MFX.

These plug-in formats allow you to play any of Infinity's
synthesizers or samplers in SONAR, Cubase, Logic, or any other
application which fully supports Steinberg's VSTi plug-in format.

Any audio effect processor created in Infinity to modify an audio
track can be used with any audio software through the DirectX or VST
plug-in formats. A small sampling of the software supported
includes: Cakewalk Pro Audio, SONAR, Sound Forge, Cool Edit Pro, and
Samplitude.

The Infinity Instrument Collection
----------------------------------
Not only does Infinity include everything you need to create your
audio tools, it also includes a collection of instruments and effects
you can use in your music right now. Just choose from 23 synthesizers
(including straight ahead 1, 2, and 3 oscillator synths, organs, FM
synths, and string machines), 2 drum kits, or 42 different audio
processing effects and you're ready to go. Each instrument has its
own unique and customizable interface and the selection will
continue to grow as Sound Quest adds new instruments which can be
downloaded from its web site. Infinity also includes over 100 MIDI
processing patches and can manipulate MIDI in any way you wish.

Infinity gives you a head start when you begin creating your own
instruments and effects from scratch. With over 140 predefined
macros, Infinity already includes the basic building blocks you will
need to make your synthesizer. For example, if you need to add an
ADSR envelope you don't have to build it, just drag and drop it from
the envelope macros menu and you're done. It's easy to create
massive chains of synthesis, sample and processing modules using
Infinity's graphic signal flow layout window and you can create your
own custom control surfaces without writing a single line of code.

Don't forget, you can also begin your sonic explorations by simply
loading any one of Sound Quest's existing instruments and modifying
it to meet your requirements.

Your sounds don't have to be static any more. Automate them!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Every instrument control offers full automation when used in Infinity
and every audio plug-in format. This means that you can record every
knob tweak or slider pull in DXi, VSTi, VST, and DirectX. In
Infinity, just add a sequencer object, press record and automation
events are automatically recorded. They can even be edited from
within the sequencer's editor windows.

You don't even have to go through the hassle of setting each control
to a separate MIDI controller number as you do in other programs.
Every control is dynamically assigned its own unique automation
identifier, with no limit on the number of controls that you can
automate.

With Infinity, every control can also be automated using MIDI. You
can assign incoming MIDI controller events directly to controls or
first apply your own custom MIDI processing before using the values
to alter the instrument.

Infinity makes it easy. Just Drag and Drop it….
------------------------------------------------
Infinity features the most extensive drag and drop capabilities
possible. Anywhere that a file from disk is used, be it a wave file,
bitmap graphic, Midi Quest patch, or Infinity patch, instead of going
through the hassle of typing in a path and file name, you can simply
drag the file from Explorer and drop it into Infinity.

Superior Graphic Control
--------------------------
With Infinity, you have complete control over the design and layout
of each instrument's control panel. You can place the controls
anywhere in the window you wish and make them any size you want. Most
importantly, for the graphic knobs, sliders, switches, and VU meters,
you can display the control using a selection of included bitmaps or
use your own custom bitmaps for the display. You can even specify
that your own graphics be used as defaults for every control where a
bitmap isn't specifically selected. You won't find this level of
flexibility and customization anywhere else.

The Freedom to Play
----------------------
Infinity gives you the unparalleled freedom to play. You can load as
many different instruments into the program simultaneously (limited
by the processor's ability to play all instrument voices) as you
wish. Just try these with other software synthesizers.

If you want to have 32 different instruments independently controlled
by inputs from two different MIDI inputs, you can do it.

Easily create your own multi-instrument performances. If you want to
try a different bass instrument, close or turn off the current bass
you have loaded and bring in another. There are no connections to
make before you hear audio; it works right away.

Want to let others hear your new creation? With the freely
distributable Infinity Player you can put your masterpiece up on the
web for everyone to play with.

Conclusion
-----------
Infinity turns your computer into a real musical instrument. It is a
truly open-ended sound development system that you can use without
requiring any additional custom hardware. With the power to create a
virtually unlimited number of sounds, it may be one of the most
powerful sound creation tools you will ever own. For more
information, please visit Sound Quest's completely redesigned web
site at www.squest.com.

More Information and Feature List
-----------------------------------
For more information on Infinity 2.0 including a new features list,
please visit Sound Quest's web site at
www.squest.com/Windows/Infinity-Introduction.html

Special Offer
-------------
In anticipation of Infinity's release, Sound Quest has created an
exceptional offer for those who already own Sound Quest software.
This special pricing will only be available until Infinity begins
shipping on August 6th.

Infinity 2.0 (new purchase): $159US (List Price:
$499US, save $340)

Infinity 2.0 upgrade (from v1.0): $99US (List
Price: $149US, save $50)

Infinity 2.0 + Midi Quest 8.0 upgrade: $209US (List Price:
$568US, save $359)
(for Midi Quest v7.0 owners only)

Infinity 2.0 + Midi Quest 8.0 upgrade: $239US (List Price:
$598US, save $359)
(for Midi Quest v2.0->6.0 owners only)

Infinity 2.0 + Midi Quest 8.0: $269US (List Price:
$748US, save $479)