Neuzeit Instruments Warp

Warp is a novel synth engine that combines the best of additive and wavetable synthesis.

In the center of Warp’s control panel is a colorful XY LED matrix that represents the sound space from which Warp draws its sounds. This XY sound space consists of 32x16 frequency spectra. Each of Warp's four voices can move freely and independently across the XY space. It always uses the surrounding frequency spectra to calculate a wavetable based on 512 sine waves in real time using additive synthesis. By changing the position, wicked wavetable sounds are possible, playable with four voices and eight oscillators and navigable in two directions. An intuitive integrated editor allows playful modeling of your own frequency spectra.
With Warp's SPEC effects the frequency spectrum can be filtered and deformed in realtime before a wavetable is calculated. The wavetable can then be modified with WARP effects like wavefolder, PWM bend, overdrive and redux. The resulting wavetable serves as source for two oscillators per voice, which can be detuned and also synchronized to each other. Each voice is followed by a 12/24dB/octave high pass and low pass filter.

Warp offers an integrated editor, with which you can playfully draw and modify your own frequency spectra. The XY-Sound Space is seen as a canvas on which you can draw your own frequency peaks. Several drawing algorithms are available as tools to edit single or a group of harmonics in a musically meaningful way. There is also the possibility to derive frequency spectra from audio samples from the SD card or to put whole wavetable audio files into the XY sound space. Likewise, the XY sound space can be exported to the SD card as a wavetable audio file of any length and bit depth, so Warp can also be used as an intuitive wavetable generator for other synthesizers.

Also on board are two internal ADSR envelopes and two LFOs, which can be routed to a variety of internal destinations using a modulation matrix. To keep the overview, all modulations are color-coded and are additionally visualized by pulsating LEDs in the modulation matrix view.

Navigation through the menu is as intuitive as with our QUASAR module and is simply done via a push-encoder and a back button. The display always shows which function the four surrounding aluminum encoders currently have, and colored LEDs next to the encoders provide visual assistance. Likewise, the tuning of the module is done via a detented encoder, which adjusts the pitch either in fine steps, in semitones or in octaves. An octave switch is thus already integrated.

For all its feature-richness, Warp still remains a playable and performance-oriented instrument. The large potentiometers serve as macro controls to control several parameters under the hood at once. This keeps the instrument straight forward with a manageable number of controls, but they are all very expressive.
Likewise, the module offers the ability to save and load presets and also comes with audio files and presets on board. Thus, Warp is ideally suited for both detail-oriented sound design and hands-on performance.

In the standalone version, Warp is a monophonic four-voice synth voice that can also be used as an oscillator. With an expander module, it will also be possible to play Warp four-voice polyphonic via MIDI and CV/Gate in the future.

• Width: 24HP
• Depth: 30mm
• Power: 225mA @+12V / 25mA @-12V