Oscillators in FilterscapeVA

[kill-9]

Hi,

I've just started trying out FilterscapeVA and it sounds great.

I have a question about the oscillators though - could someone please give me a little more info on selecting specific wave shapes?

From the manual:
----------------------------------------------------------
The waveform selector (1) lets you select the waveform from a pop-up menu.
The Warp parameter (4) works like a movable wavetable. It alters the way the current waveform
sounds.
Example: Warp results for waveform 'V Analog'
0% -> A mixture of Sawtooth and Square
25% -> Zoyd's Sawtooth set to 'Even'
50% -> Sawtooth
75% -> Triangle
100% -> Sine

----------------------------------------------------------

OK so I can understand the basic idea here, that to select a sine wave I would select V Analog and warp=100%.

Some specific questions then:
1) What about the other Wave 'tables' - what does each represent? Are there specific settings I can use for each that will get me familiar wave shapes like those above?
2) What is special about Zoyd's sawtooth, set to even?
3) Is the Template Pulse setting the only way to get a Square wave?

I guess in a later version it would be great to see a visual representation of the waveshape that results from the current setting........?

Thanks in advance.

SC.

[Urs]

Hey,

1) The waveforms are generated by different techniques. The virtual analogue ones are based on wavetables that are more or less known, so it makes sense to bring them up as an example. The other waveforms are based on pretty complex math, and it's hard to say what they sound like, or what the warp transitions would do. Just try and listen!

2) Zoyd has independent control over odd/even harmonics in the sawtooth, and the even setting is pretty much the opposite of a square wave, so to say... only even harmonics...

3) A square wave is generated by adding two sawtooths of opposite polarity which are shifted in phase. That's what the "Inverse" knob is for, in conjunction with the Phase parameter (for pulse width and pwm). It adds an inverted image of the current waveform, offset by the phase parameter. The funny thing here is, this does not just work for sawtooth->square, but for any waveform.

Well, regarding visual feedback, it's always a balance act to see what's needed and what disturbs. My "school" is about giving visual hints (knob position, numerical value only while dragging a knob), but letting the ear decide. I know hardly anyone who can make a relation between the visual representation of a complex waveform and the audible result (except for basic stuff like triangle, sine, sawtooth, pulse etc.). In that way, it might be a nice ornament to present waveforms, but it would not say anything about the audible result. It might be better to show a small spectrum, but even that wouldn't say much in hinsight of the little space that's left in the gui...

Hope this helps,

Urs

[kill-9]

Bah - quick reply lost my answer....

Thanks for the (ridiculously quick) answer!

That clears up some of it for me......

I'll just have to go have a play then

Cheers,
SC.