Appendix B - Attributes Reference; Instrument Categories; Instrument - Native Instruments Absynth 5 Reference Manual

14 Appendix B – Attributes Reference
The next few pages are a reference of all attributes used in ABSYNTH's database. The at-
tributes are identical to those used within KORE. They are ordered in categories: first those
used to describe an instrument sound, then those that specify an effect sound.
! Please note that some attributes should be used mutually exclusive, e.g. a sound's source
can either be acoustic or electric. Refer to Appendix A for examples.

14.1 Instrument Categories

14.1.1 Instrument

This column specifies a sound's basic instrumental quality. All other columns are additional
descriptions of these instruments. Only one instrument can be chosen. The sound can be an
emulation of the chosen instrument or a timbre which audibly refers to an instrument without
trying to imitate it (e.g., granular processed flute sample).
•
Piano/Keys: All acoustic/electric pianos, harpsichord, clavinet etc. In general all sounds
that are meant to be played in a piano/keyboard fashion.
•
Organ: Acoustic and electric organs. Also harmoniums and organ-like reed instruments,
e.g. accordion, melodica, reed organ etc. Generally played on some kind of keyboard.
•
Synth: All kinds of typical synth sounds not associated with other instruments in this
column. A typical synth brass sound for instance belongs to Brass. Synth instruments
which are meant to be played in the lower range are found in Bass.
•
Guitar: An instrument that sounds like a guitar, including acoustic, classical, electric and
synth guitars.
•
Plucked Strings: Instruments that are generally played by plucking a string, like a harp,
koto, banjo, etc. This also applies to synth instruments whose main sonic quality is derived
from the sound characteristic of a plucked string.
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