Back in 2023, we covered the news of an all-new software synthesizer that creates sounds by modelling networks of physical masses connected by springs. The company behind the project, Anukari, have recently announced that a beta version of the instrument is now available for purchase, along with a free demo version for those who are keen to check it out.
The company say that the instrument’s 3D physics simulation operates using similar principles to a video game’s physics engine, but running at audio sample rates rather than video frame rates. Hundreds of masses in the 3D world can be connected using springs, and a variety of other components — such as mallets, bows, plectrums and so on — can be connected to the masses to introduce vibrations, while their parameters can be modulated using familiar tools such as LFOs and envelopes. The simulated sounds are then ‘captured’ by virtual microphones.
The 3D simulation is referred to as a physics world, and Anukari is capable of running up to 16 independent copies of the world in parallel, providing users with 16 voices of polyphony. When a MIDI note is pressed, one of the physics worlds is selected, and the instrument applies a ‘time dilation’ process to the world, speeding up or slowing down time to produce the pitch defined by the incoming MIDI note. MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) is fully supported, with the pitch axis mapping smoothly to each world’s time dilation factor to provide real-time pitch bending.
The physics world is displayed via a fully customisable 3D GUI. Users are provided with a choice of 10 built-in skyboxes and eight skins for the physics objects, and those with 3D modelling experience can create completely new skyboxes and skins using free software tools such as Blender — everything in the instrument can be customised, including animations.
Check out the video below for an overview of the instrument and a demonstration of its sounds and key features.
Anukari comes packed with over 200 instrument and effect presets, and more than 100 shape templates designed to help with the construction of new user presets. The free demo version is fully functional, although the audio output will be periodically replaced by white noise for a few seconds.
Compatibility
Anukari is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or higher, and Apple Silicon-based Macs running macOS 11 and above — Intel Macs are not supported. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available. It’s important to note that the software does not support ARM chips or AMD GPUs on Windows.
Pricing & Availability
Anukari will be $140, but for a limited time, the company are offering the beta version at a 50% discount ($70). More information can be found on the Anukari website. Those who purchase Anukari during the beta period will receive a license for the full version once it becomes available.
