News » Manifest Audio Unleash Free Synth: Tactum

Manifest Audio Unleash Free Synth: Tactum

Manifest Audio have just released Tactum, a new Max for Live monosynth that builds its identity around controlled randomness. It’s free, experimental, and manages to offer something genuinely different without slipping into gimmickry.

At a glance, Tactum is a dual-oscillator monosynth with a third oscillator dedicated to click-style transients. Oscillator types span everything from FM and bit reduction to metallic tones, classic wavetables, and noisy textures, while the two-stage envelope places emphasis on event-based – rather than sustained – sound design. Everything from booming bass to sizzling percussion and melodic oddities are easily available.

Each oscillator bank includes two assignable effects, with parameters that can be randomized on a per-note basis. Embracing the power of unpredictability to bring sounds to life, it provides direct control over the range and amount of randomization applied independently to each parameter with each new note, allowing for intentional instability to animate any output.

It’s technically monophonic, so traditional chords are off the table – but a key feature is the synth’s optional scale awareness. Applied to each oscillator even when transposed internally, this allows for uniquely harmonized duophonic output that stays in key with your Live set. This makes it well-suited to musical chaos without ever drifting completely off-track.

The interface is focused around a central XY pad that doubles as a visual feedback hub—displaying waveforms, pan meters, and parameter changes in real time—while functioning as a modulation plane for hands-on exploration. Other highlights include cross-modulation options between oscillators, filter randomization, output limiting (or hard clipping) and a motion control to impose randomization to all parameters at once.

It’s clear Tactum is designed for producers who want sound design with dynamic motion from the outset. Percussion comes to life with attack and decay randomization and melodies percolate perpetually with oscillator FX and filter randomization, all within controlled ranges.

It requires Ableton Live 12.3 Suite and Max 9.0.9 or later, and comes optimized for Push 3 (and standalone) with every parameter annotated for Live’s Info View, making the learning curve manageable. While the instrument is free, Manifest Audio is collecting optional donations from those in a giving mood, with proceeds going to World Central Kitchen.

TACTUM: Key Features

Two-stage envelope with Attack and Decay randomization within specified ranges
Multimode filter with LP, HP, BP, and Notch options, plus Filter and Resonance randomization
Two independent oscillators, selectable from Noise, Metal, Texture, Waves, FM, Bits, and Boom
Two FX per oscillator each with randomization within specified ranges
Mute, volume, transposition, detune, and envelope time factor per oscillator
Dedicated Click oscillator with output volume and character editing
Panning with randomization
Motion to apply randomization globally
Three optional cross-modulation algorithms: add, subtract, or multiply
Optional scale awareness ensures all output – even when transposed internally – conforms to your Live set’s current scale and key
Global output limiting to keep unruly signal in check, or hard clipping to push it
All FX, envelope, and filter parameters can be assigned to the central adjustment plane
Multifunction central display shows all active oscillator output scopes, current envelope or filter settings while adjusting, left and right pan output meters, and click editor when active, while doubling as assignable XY parameter exploration zone