Virus b Wavetable FAQ?
 

I've had my Virus b for about four years now and I'm still learning new things everyday. One of the areas I haven't delve into yet is using the digital wave oscillators. I have the chart that shows the waveforms, but is there any resource that describes the characteristics of them? The SOS Virus Masterclass mentioned a few. I'll probably do a manual sweep when I get some time and let my ears decide what they are good for, but it would be cool to have some reference.

Thanks,
Dan

Re: Virus b Wavetable FAQ?
 

Hi Dan :)

Nope. I've even emailed Access who said they have no info on the individual waveforms as to how they were created or which instruments they were sampled from.

Personally I think they did that to cover themselves from copyright issues.

BUT here's an idea! - Maybe if we all go through them with a fine toothcomb, and someone recognises any certain waveforms, we could begin to collate an 'unofficial' list of what each waveform could possibly be... Or, simpler, maybe give the descriptive waveforms names as to what it best sounds like, like "Tubular-Bell type waveform", or similar...

I think a good few of them are (digital) spectral waveshapes as well, though, which bear no such resemblence to recognisable sounds or instruments (ie. possibly created by means of feedback, high resonances, etc.), so we could label these "Spectral 1" or whatever.

So, how's your oscillator waveform general knowledge, chaps? :)

( PS > I noticed a good few organ waveshapes in there, but I'm not enough of an organ geek to identify them. )

These waveforms along with virus's unison/detune/spread and the sub osc really define the virus against any other.
I remember try lots of V.A. synths around 2000 and these things helped me make my mind up to buy a virus b.
Even now it's hard to find 'character' in any 'vsti' and even if there is character it's very shallow and limited.
I've never picked a fav wave as such, I just sweep through them until something works in the patch relative the song I'm working on.

Hey Timo,

That's exactly what I'm talking about! I can't believe after all these years, no one has compiled a list like this yet. Well, let's start. According to SOS's article:

1- sin (duh!)
2- tri (duh!)
14- organ tone
57- fifth mixed in (good for solos)
64- vibe/marimba effects

Anyone else care to add? Maybe once we get a complete list, we can sticky this thread :D

Great topic!
I really wish I could help but since I sold mine :(

I forgot to mention that there are dual uses for the digital waves. One as oscillators and the second as the modulation source. For example, the SOS article mentions that wave 47 has a double ramp and is good for rhythmic modulation. Cool stuff.

For those who don't know, you can see the individual waveshapes graphically [here], which may help further.

Hey cool idea :D

Im really interested in finding out more about the digital waveshapes and what each one is good\bad for

Im still a newbie when it comes to synth programing and sound design so wont be much help with this though sorry :(

up, could be good to know!

Excellent idea!

Those waveforms have always bugged me!

I'll see if i can contribute to this, although my knowledge of waveforms doesnt go much further than Saw, Sine, Triangle, Square\Pulse