Warps Meta-modulator

Evolved from the oscillator mixing section of Mutable Instruments’ desktop hybrid synths, Warps is designed to blend and combine two audio signals. A variety of wave-shaping and cross-modulation methods – some of them emulating classic analog circuits, some of them purely digital – are provided by the module.

With Warps, the cross-modulated sound can be sculpted with control voltages along 4 dimensions: by controlling the amplitude and distorting the input signals, by smoothly scanning through the collection of modulation algorithms, and by adjusting a timbre parameter controlling the brightness/harshness of the modulated signal.

Since many classic cross-modulation effects work best when the carrier is a simple waveform – for example, a sine wave for ring-modulation or a buzzing waveform for vocoding – Warps includes a digital oscillator offering a handful of classic waveforms. This internal oscillator, which tracks V/Oct and supports through-zero FM, will replace the carrier audio input – freeing up one oscillator in your system for other duties!

Features:

Continuous morphing between 7 cross-modulation algorithms: crossfade, cross-folding, digital model of analog diode ring-modulation, digital ring-modulation, bitwise XOR modulation, octaver/comparator, 20-band vocoder.

Control of timbre richness/brightness.

Each audio input has a built-in digital VCA with emulation of analog soft-clipping.

Audio input 1 can be replaced by an internal digital oscillator with through-zero FM. Available waveforms: sine, triangle, sawtooth, pulse, filtered noise.

Controls:

Modulation algorithm morphing.

Timbre richness.

Input gain/distortion for audio inputs 1 and 2.

Internal oscillator waveform.

Inputs and outputs:

Audio input 1 (carrier) level CV (or internal oscillator 1V/Oct CV), -1V to +8V.

Audio input 2 (modulator) level CV, -1V to +8V.

Modulation algorithm morphing CV, -5V to +5V.

Timbre CV, -5V to +5V.

Audio input 1 (or internal oscillator through-zero FM). Modular level expected (up to 15 Vpp).

Audio input 2. Modular level expected (up to 15 Vpp).

Cross-modulated signal output.

Auxiliary output: internal oscillator signal (when enabled) or mix of inputs 1 and 2 (post digital VCA).

Technical characteristics:

Input impedances: 100k.

AD/DA: 16-bit, 96kHz.

Internal processing: 32-bit floating point, 576kHz (32kHz for vocoder).

Open-source hardware and firmware.

Easy firmware updates through an audio interface.

Cortex-M4 ARM processor.

10-HP.

Current consumption: +12V: 110mA ; -12V: 5mA.