Klavis - Twin Waves MKII

The Twin Waves is a dual oscillator with modern, rather hard and clearly digital sound. Besides shapeable standard waveforms, there are algorithms based on phase distortion, phase displacement, bit crushing, self-synchronization, ring modulation, processed noise, additive synthesis and unison stacks. Additionally, the through-zero circuit features linear frequency modulation and sync modes. A sub oscillator supports the main waveform generators while producing bass sounds. Furthermore, it is possible to use one or both oscillators in a LFO mode. For this application, a second set of algorithms plus some additional functions were implemented. The MKII version has three new attenuators and a modified normalization between the inputs and outputs. The new features allow a more precise and simplified handling of internal circuits without the need to integrate external modules.

Even though the oscillators share one set of control elements, editing the Twin Waves is fairly easy, thanks to LEDs and a small display. A total of 20 synthesis algorithms were implemented. Each program is editable in one parameter. Using the module’s CV inputs, modulations are possible as well. Some of the algorithms utilize two or more virtual waveform generators to produce sound. The available synthesis modes can be summarized as follows:

• Waveform generator plus wave shaper
• Waveform generator plus bit crusher
• Phase distortion
• Four waveform generators with editable phasing
• Additive synthesis based on seven sine waves
• Unison stacks with three to five waves
• Two synchronized waveform generators
• Two ring modulated waveform generators
• Noise, processed by a low-pass or high-pass filter respectively a resonator

The pitch of each oscillator is adjustable via coarse and fine tune potentiometers. For playing the audio generators, there are 1v per octave inputs. Besides being used independently, it is possible to control both oscillators via just one input. An offset parameter allows musicians to set intervals. Furthermore, each audio generator comes equipped with an editable quantizer. A synchronization input with hard and soft sync options is available as well. On top of that, the first oscillator features a FM/AM connector, which can not only be used for linear frequency modulations, but is also able to influence either the quantizer, the algorithm selection or the amplitude. The sub oscillator produces square waves. Audio material is generated by the Twin Waves with a resolution of 24 Bit and 96 kHz.

In LFO mode, the oscillators offer a different set of algorithms. Additionally, there are two types of synchronization: The first one restarts the waveform as soon as a trigger arrives. The second works with an external clock signal plus editable divisors respectively multipliers. Frequency modulations are possible using the module’s 1v per octave inputs. The FM/AM connector allows musicians to modulate the LFO’s amplitude.

Algorithms in LFO mode:

• Saw / triangle
• Square / pulse
• Sine (Phase distortion)
• Brownian S&H
• Randomly timed S&H
• Brownian vectors
• Randomly timed vectors