Shaper

The shaper sub-module adds classic waveshaper functionality to the time domain oscillators. Well - on second thought not so classic, since the shaper-waveform is a flexcurves and completely malleable.

This sub-module only affects the time-domain waveform.

Shaper Waveform

In general, waveshapers add harmonics to an input signal by distorting its shape. In our case, the signal is the time-domain waveform of the oscillator. The distortion is done by mapping the values of the signal to a different set of values through a so called transfer function. A typical shaping transfer function might be a something like a hyperbolic tangent - a curve that is linear across a certain range and then eases towards a maximum and minimum with a curve. If a sine-wave is sent through such a curve it will come out as a wave with wider crests and troughs. This altered shape adds odd harmonics with exponentially decaying magnitude to the original sine wave.

The things that can happen, when sending waveforms through waveshapers are quite complex and even more so, if the shape of the waveshaper or the input signal changes over time. Best to use your ears to find the best fitting combination for the current oscillator waveform.

The shaper waveform should probably go through the central zero point. If it doesn't, there will be a "dc-offset" - a non-zero output on a zero input - even if the itself oscillator is silent.

Input & Output Threshold

Playing with the input threshold allows to gradually add harmonics to the oscillator should the shaper-waveform be linear around the central point - or to generally change the output waveform otherwise. The output threshold allows linear amplitude scaling of the resulting waveform. This can be very useful since adding harmonics can change the perceived loudness of the resulting signal.