Go ahead, try it, it's Harmless -- Image Line Harmless, that is. This new subtractive synthesizer powered by an additive synthesis engine is now available at the harmless price of $9. In Radiohead / NIN fashion, Image Line is offering the new VST synth for whatever you think it's worth, plus the minimum fee of $9 to cover transaction fees and handling, until December 31, 2009.

According to the manufacturer, Harmless is additive doing subtractive, and vice versa. Harmless allows for fine control that wouldn't be possible through classic subtractive synthesis. Filtering and phasing can be assigned unusual shapes and slopes, something that is normally only possible through offline digital filters. The filter slopes can be defined in Hz instead of octaves, while each partial's frequency can be controlled to create unique timbres that would be impossible using common synthesis methods.

The instrument has limited features, all of which are immediately visible and color-grouped in a simple user interface. Over 100 parameters, most of which are automatable, are included, as are effects such as chorus, delay, reverb, and a multiband compressor / limiter powered by Maximus. Its CPU usage is comparable to that of traditional subtractive synthesizers, according to Image Line.

For more information, please visit image-line.com.