The big difference in what is commonly known as "wavetable scanning" (like first implemented with the PPG synths) is that you could scan trough different waveforms/samples using e.g. an envelope, LFO or step sequencer.fmr wrote:Yes, I agree with you (read what I said about "wavetable lookup"). The reason why first wavetables only had single cycle waves was just memory limitations.aciddose wrote:Any against the definition of "wavetable" as a simple combination of the terms "wave" + "table".fmr wrote:Hi aciddose:
Exactly which argument are you answering?
While I think it is fine, really if you want to be so specific just use "single-cycle wavetable scanning ...", not "wavetable", and any objection to "wavetable" as "wave" + "table" is completely ridiculous, in my opinion.
But the name used that way is so broad it is almost meaningless. Any synth that comes with sounds pre-recorded is a "wavetable" synth. Actually, even the DX7 was a wavetable synth (with a table of just one single cycle wave - sine), as well as any FM synth (any digital synth?), for that matter.
And definitley any ROMpler is a wavetable synth. So, to answer the OP: Any sample based synth is a wavetable synth, but not all wavetable synths are sample based.
One synth that could also use longer saples for this is e.g. the Wavestation with it's wave sequencing.
In synths/ROMplers that could not modulate the waveform position the word "wavetable" is just misleading IMO.
At least it should offer a way to scan trough a sample by shifting the loop points using a mod source. This way you could emulate wavetable scanning with e.g. Tone2 Rayblaster but you need a proper WAV file with multiple connected waveforms/samples (and crossfading if possible) for this. Rayblaster does ot exactly use loop points. It plays the part of the current waveform/sample currently displayed at the waveform display (you couold "zoom" in/out using the "Osc harmonic" parameter) and you could modulate the "start offset" to do the "scanning".
BTW in one of the latest OS updates for the Waldorf Blofeld a new feature was added to the mod matrix. While you press a key the envelope could scan trough the current wavetable but with that new feature you could also switch to a different wavetable with pressing the next key which then is used for scaning and so on...
With the sample expansion installed this also works with sampls which means you play different samples while pressing different keys.
Ingo