I purchased Absynth 3 around twelve months ago. I've played around with it quite a bit, but to be perfectly honest, it's never been a 'go to' program for me. I do like it's ability to create evolving soundscapes, but over all, I just haven't found the interface all that user friendly. This is a big problem for me, as I'd rather be spending time making noise as opposed to trying to figure out what function does what.

With the release of Absynth 4, I'm starting to weight up whether or not it is worth my while to upgrade. Native Instruments have listed a range of improvements that have been made to this new version. Some of which are listed below.

New bank- and patch management with powerful search function - enhanced library functions

Optional multi window interface in stand-alone mode - user-defined skins

New Oscillator mode: PULSE WIDTH MODULATION

New FORMANT filter and parametric EQUALIZER module

LFOs now can modulate ANY parameter of ABSYNTH and even each other

New random function and adjustable smoothing for Sample+Hold

LFO settings now can be saved and restored

Envelopes can modulate INDIVIDUAL HARMONICS of a waveform

GRAPHICAL FEEDBACK of parameter modulation in patch- and LFO-window

Note input with PC keyboard

Based on that list, I'm not sure that there is anything new that will really push me over the edge to make a purchase. I think I will keep playing with Absynth 3 for a while, and see if I warm to it some more.

The demo version of Absynth 4 can be downloaded from the Native Instruments website.