Expanded Wave Folding | 8
Expanded
Wave Folding
Mavis is the first of the Moog synthesizers
to include a wave folder. A typical
component of the “West Coast” synthesis
approach, the wave folder uses distortion
to add harmonics to a signal where a filter
removes harmonics from a signal. Unpatch
cables and match the panel settings to the
initialized patch.
When a signal gets distorted, it gets
amplified past a threshold whereby the
tops and bottoms of the wave or any parts
of the signal above (or below) stay at that
threshold instead. This adds the pleasing
harmonic overtones characteristic of
distortion.
Wave folding pushes the same concept
a little further. Instead of the tops and
bottoms simply staying at the threshold,
they are folded back–the threshold acts a
little like a mirror, reflecting those peaks
and troughs back on themselves. This
technique also adds harmonic overtones,
but of a dierent timbral quality than
distortion. Increasing the folding amount
simply amplifies the signal even more,
causing deeper reflections of the peaks
and troughs.
MAKE THIS CONNECTION
Let’s play a little bit with wave folding by
patching the VCO into the FOLD IN input.
Open the VCF CUTOFF knob fully clockwise
so you can hear the folding more clearly.
Now by rotating the FOLD knob you will
hear the oscillator begin to distort and fold
over on itself. Try changing the VCO WAVE
between saw and square and listening to
how that aects the FOLD.
You’ll notice using a square wave that the
wave folding has a much more subtle eect.
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