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Tag: Voltage Controlled Waveshaper

Creating a Voltage Controlled Waveshaper in SynthEdit.

20/01/2024 / / 0 Comments

Having some control over the waveshaper (although not over the actual transfer curve in the module) is possible in as far as the depth of the shaping effect, and the polarity of the shaping effect can be voltage controlled using a few stock modules, and one extra from Elena Novaretti’s module packs at www.elenadesign.eu, the ED Range Clipper which limits the amount by which the control voltages can be varied- this is used to prevent the control voltage exceeding the normal range for the waveshaper and causing unpredictable results.
The Intensity (or depth) of the effect can be varied between 0 V (minimum shaping) and 10 V (maximum shaping). This is then fed to the X-Mix module directly to Input B, and through an Inverter2 module to Input A. This allows us to effectively change the polarity of the waveform, which is then added to the Input audio at the final Level Adj module.
Of course you’re not limited to just using the Waveshaper3 module, you could just as easily use the Waveshaper2 module and use a formula for the transfer curve.

Voltage controlled waveshaper diagram

So far this is the best I have been able to come up with, but I’m as always going to keep experimenting so “watch this space” for updates on this technique

Related posts:

  1. SynthEdit Waveshaper 2
  2. SynthEdit Waveshaper2b
  3. DH-Wshape2 Third party waveshaper module.
  4. SynthEdit Waveshaper 3

DH-Wshape2 Third party waveshaper module.

20/01/2024 / / 0 Comments

Hands up all those who love the sound of “Digital” Synthesizers? If you do then one of this module is for you. Especially if you want to be able to control the amount of Waveshaping by using a control voltage.
It’s a “Third Party” module courtesy of RH Modules http://www.rhmodules.nl/downloads/dspgui/
The basics are quite straightforward. The ‘Scope and 1kHz Oscillator modules are included just to show the effect of the DH-Waveshaper. The default for the Shape control voltage is +/- 5 Volts, but this can be increased to +/- 20 Volts to give a wider range of shapes. See the screenshots below…
The only waveforms that aren’t worth putting through the waveshaper are a pulse (you’ll get some wild amplitude changes and some very large spikes on the leading and trailing edges), or noise. Unlike the SynthEdit stock Waveshapers there are no formulae to set up, just a control voltage

The effect of +20 Volts Shape CV
This gives and extreme foldback effect on the positive and negative peaks of the audio input.

Output of the waveshaper with +20V gain CV

The effect of 0Volts Shape CV
Here we get a slight flattening of the sine wave peaks which gives a very subtle distortion, almost like a slightly overdriven valve PA.

Output of the waveshaper with 0V gain CV

The effect of -5 Volts Shape CV
This gives us a “crossover distortion” effect where the audio input doesn’t start to appear at the output a until the audio input has risen slightly above 0 volts.

Output of the waveshaper with -5V gain CV

The effect of -20 Volts Shape CV.
Starts folding back the 0 volts crossover portion of the audio input.

Output of the waveshaper with -20V gain CV

Modulating with an ADSR module.
Just as a basic “bare bones” idea of what’s possible, you could have the waveshaper modulated by an ADSR2 triggered by the keyboard so the peak level of the audio is the most distorted.

Control the waveshaper with an ADSR module

Modulating with an LFO Module.
Or a free running LFO so that the distortion varies slowly (or rapidly) over time

Control the waveshaper with a LFO module

Related posts:

  1. A SynthEdit Waveshaper Prefab.
  2. Creating a Voltage Controlled Waveshaper in SynthEdit.
  3. SynthEdit Waveshaper2b
  4. Using the ED Sine Shaper

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