Random*Source Serge Wave Multipliers: Wavefolding (LMS: Eurorack Expansion Preview)

One of the three sections in the Random*Source Serge Wave Multipliers module is a classic “West Coast” wavefolder with a warm, well-rounded tone. In this movie I demonstrate manual sweeping, enveloping, controlling from a mod wheel for wind-type overblowing effects, and running through a Moog Mother-32’s filter, and layering a VCO from an Expert Sleepers Disting through the wavefolder with the Moog’s own oscillator. It’s also a good introduction to wavefolding for those new to West Coast synthesis techniques.
For more on using the R*S Wave Multipliers - including matching its lower Serge-compatible audio levels with the much higher levels typical in a Eurorack systems - see the companion article on the LearningModular.com website: learningmodular.com/randomsour...
This movie is one of three on the Random*Source Serge Wave Multipliers module from my online course, "Learning Modular Synthesis: Eurorack Expansion" (available July 2017). For more details including the list of movies and an overview of the course, visit: learningmodular.com/lms-eurora...

[@dgmono]

This video made it very obvious what increasing the effects of wavefolding does, and I'm glad it gave visual and aural feedback :) It was also cool to see some creative ways of using wavefolding with an envelope...thanks!

[@Tracks777]

Awesome! Keep it up!

[@ObKling]

Question about the wave multiplier:I have a Joranalogue Fold 6 wave folder, and it "closes all the way," for lack of a better phrase. When the fold amount is at zero, it's like a closed filter. So you don't always need a VCA on the other side of it if you're making short, percussive sounds, for example. I don't know how other wave folders operate, but I'm guessing this is not always the case. It is useful, though. Could you tell me if the wave multiplier - any of its three paths - work this way?

[@AliasZone]

Only a few wave multipliers go to "off" like your Fold 6, the wavefolder section in the Pittsburgh Lifeforms complex oscillator being another example. The third section of the Wave Multipliers is indeed a VCA, with nice saturation/overdrive.

[@sandre3765]

What's the module you use to interface your controller? (Like for the modwheel..)

[@LearningModular]

Expert Sleepers FH-1. Here's an article I wrote about setting it up: learningmodular.com/unlocking-the-expert-sleepers-fh-1-faderhost/

[@robertsyrett1992]

so what is a wave multiplier that isn't a wave folder?

[@LearningModular]

According to the Serge manual, "the Wave Multipliers are able to dynamically process the input waveform to produce new harmonically-related overtones" - in other words, in Serge-speak a wave multiplier adds to (or multiplies) the harmonics available in the original waveform.
The Serge Wave Multipliers module has three sections that alters the waveform in different waves, each creating different mixtures of overtones: the top one is a very rounded clipping saturation; the middle one is the wavefolder that tends to produce or emphasize mainly odd harmonics, and the bottom one is a series of full wave rectifiers that produce mainly even harmonics.
The article linked to in the video's description includes a page from the 1983 Serge manual that describes the module in more detail.

[@maxwelljosephson5900]

You can pay $4,000 and get this synthesizer or you could go outside, to a beautiful forest and sing for $0. It’s your choice. You can’t fold your voice though, truth.

[@LearningModular]

Well...I enjoy making music with synths, AND I enjoy going outside - in fact, I live in the foothills of a national forest. (But I don't sing - I wouldn't inflict that kind of harm on humans or animals.) So...I'm happy. I wish you the same.