Warps

Mutable Instruments 10HP
fw 1.0a
EFFECTS WAVESHAPER WAVEFOLDER DISTORTION OSCILLATOR

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Meta-modulator that blends and combines two audio signals through seven cross-modulation algorithms: crossfade, wavefolder, diode ring-mod, digital ring-mod, bitwise XOR, comparator/octaver and 20-band vocoder. Includes an internal digital carrier oscillator (sine/tri/saw or saw/pulse/LP-noise) with V/Oct tracking.

Patch Ideas · 8

★ Internal-oscillator ring-mod voice
INT. OSC ON (sine) · Algorithm 3 (diode RM) or 4 (digital RM) · external VCO into IN 1 (carrier, external) — or use internal osc and patch the melodic VCO into IN 2 as modulator · V/Oct (from sequencer) into LEVEL 1 CV tracks the internal osc · TIMBRE adds drive · OUT = classic ring-mod bells
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 3 connections. Modules: Warps, Melodic VCO, Sequencer, Output. Signals: 2 audio, 1 pitch.WarpsMelodic VCOSequencerOutputAlgorithm: 3 (diode RM)INT. OSC: ON (sine)IN 2audioLEVEL 1 CV1v/octOUTaudioOutaudioPitch1v/octInaudioaudiopitch
★ Modular vocoder
Algorithm 7 (vocoder, knob fully CW) · chord VCO into IN 1 (carrier) · drum loop or speech into IN 2 (modulator) · TIMBRE shifts formants · OUT = talking chords. Nudging ALGORITHM back from full CW reduces the freeze time.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Warps, Chord VCO, Drum Loop, Keyboard, Reverb (In) -> Output. Signals: 3 audio, 1 pitch.WarpsChord VCODrum LoopKeyboardReverb (In) -> OutputAlgorithm: 7 (vocoder)INT. OSC: OFFIN 1audioIN 2audioOUTaudioV/Oct1v/octOutaudioOutaudioPitch1v/octInaudioaudiopitch
Morphing algorithm effect
Slow LFO into ALGORITHM CV sweeps crossfade → folder → RM → XOR → comparator → vocoder · TIMBRE CV from an envelope · one module delivers evolving processing that rewrites itself rhythmically
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 6 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Warps, VCO 1, VCO 2, Slow LFO, Envelope, Output. Signals: 3 audio, 2 cv.WarpsVCO 1VCO 2Slow LFOEnvelopeOutputIN 1audioIN 2audioALGORITHM CVcvTIMBRE CVcvOUTaudioOutaudioOutaudioOutcvOutcvInaudioaudiocv
XOR bit-crushed drums
Algorithm 5 (bitwise XOR) · drum loop into IN 1 · square LFO or second drum layer into IN 2 · TIMBRE selects which bits XOR (heavy to the right) · OUT into mixer for chiptune-grit drums
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 3 connections. Modules: Warps, Drum Loop, Square LFO, Mixer. Signals: 3 audio.WarpsDrum LoopSquare LFOMixerAlgorithm: 5 (XOR)IN 1audioIN 2audioOUTaudioOutaudioOutaudioInaudioaudio
Frequency-shifter shimmer (easter egg)
Unlock the frequency-shifter easter egg (cables out, LEVELs+TIMBRE CCW, dial 2-4-3-6-1-5) · patch pad into IN 1 · ALGORITHM near centre for subtle shift · LEVEL 1 adds feedback · LEVEL 2 dry/wet · OUT + AUX into reverb for shimmer trail
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 2 connections. Modules: Warps, Pad, Reverb (In) -> Output. Signals: 2 audio.WarpsPadReverb (In) -> OutputMode: frequency shifter (easter egg)IN 1audioOUTaudioOutaudioInaudioaudio
Feedback drone
Algorithm 2 (wavefolder) · single VCO into IN 1 · OUT patched back into IN 2 for audio-rate feedback · TIMBRE dialed to the edge of chaos · OUT through filter/VCA for a self-oscillating warped drone
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Warps, VCO, Filter (In) -> VCA (In) -> Output, Envelope, VCA. Signals: 3 audio, 1 cv.WarpsVCOFilter (In) -> VCA (In) -> OutputEnvelopeVCAAlgorithm: 2 (folder)IN 1audioIN 2audioOUTaudioOutaudioInaudioOutcvCVcv11. feedbackaudiocv
Comparator/octaver bass grit
Algorithm 6 (comparator) · sub VCO into IN 1 · second VCO detuned into IN 2 · TIMBRE morphs between comparison laws · OUT delivers octave-pedal-style grit · AUX gives the post-VCA mix for a parallel layer
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Warps, Sub VCO, VCO 2, Filter (In) -> Output, Mixer. Signals: 4 audio.WarpsSub VCOVCO 2Filter (In) -> OutputMixerAlgorithm: 6 (comparator)IN 1audioIN 2audioOUTaudioAUXaudioOutaudioOutaudioInaudioInaudio11. carrier+modulator mixaudio
★ Warps as a dual VCO (AUX trick)
INT. OSC ON · Algorithm 1 (crossfade) · no external inputs · LEVEL 1 sets internal-osc pitch, LEVEL 1 CV is V/Oct · OUT delivers the processed/crossfaded signal while AUX carries the raw internal oscillator — one module, two usable voices
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 3 connections. Modules: Warps, Sequencer, Filter A, Filter B. Signals: 2 audio, 1 pitch.WarpsSequencerFilter AFilter BAlgorithm: 1 (crossfade)INT. OSC: ON (saw)LEVEL 1 CV1v/octAUXaudioOUTaudioPitch1v/octInaudioInaudio121. raw osc2. processed voiceaudiopitch

Behaviors

Internal carrier oscillator INT. OSC button ON

Built-in digital oscillator replaces the external carrier (IN 1). LEVEL 1 becomes its frequency knob, LEVEL 1 CV becomes a V/Oct input, and IN 1 becomes a phase-modulation input (or external noise source for the noise wave). Waveforms are sine/tri/saw for cross-mod algorithms and saw/pulse/LP-noise for the vocoder.

Algorithm morphing CV on ALGORITHM input

Algorithm CV is summed with the knob position and smoothly morphs between adjacent algorithms, so crossfade → folder → ring-mod → XOR → comparator → vocoder is a continuous sweep.

Vocoder (algorithm 7) ALGORITHM at fully clockwise position

20-band analog-style channel vocoder with 20 analysis + 20 synthesis third-octave 48dB filters. IN 1 is the carrier (or the internal osc on saw/pulse/LP-noise), IN 2 is the modulator (speech/drums/noise). TIMBRE warps the formant mapping (shifts formants up/down). Turning ALGORITHM further clockwise increases envelope-follower release; fully CW freezes the modulator spectrum.

Bitwise XOR (algorithm 5) ALGORITHM around 5

Carrier and modulator are converted to 16-bit integers and XOR'ed bit by bit. TIMBRE selects which bits take part — lo-fi digital grit and chiptune harmonics.

Comparator / octaver (algorithm 6) ALGORITHM around 6

Bank of comparison operations (e.g. replace the negative half of the carrier with the modulator, output whichever signal has larger absolute value, etc.). TIMBRE morphs between them — some settings resemble an octave-pedal fuzz.

AUX behaves contextually Patch state of INT. OSC

AUX is the post-VCA carrier+modulator sum when the internal oscillator is OFF, but becomes the raw internal-oscillator waveform when the oscillator is ON — useful as an extra VCO output.

Frequency-shifter easter egg All cables out, TIMBRE and both LEVELs fully CCW, then dial sequence 2-4-3-6-1-5 on the ALGORITHM knob, pressing the button after each number

Hidden single-sideband frequency shifter. ALGORITHM sets shift amount (centre = no shift, CW positive, CCW negative; linear to 50Hz then exponential). LEVEL 1 sets feedback, LEVEL 2 sets dry/wet, TIMBRE balances upper/lower sidebands. With INT. OSC OFF it becomes a quadrature cross-modulator that multiplies the analytic signals of IN 1 and IN 2.

Calibration Hold INT. OSC for 5 seconds (all CV disconnected)

Calibrates internal oscillator V/Oct tracking via LEVEL 1 CV using C2 (1V) and C4 (3V), with LEVEL 2 CV left floating (patched cable, other end unplugged). Knob blinks turquoise then fuchsia to guide the steps.

Normalisation recalibration Hold INT. OSC for 10 seconds

Run this if the sound becomes choppy/morse-like. Patch a constant positive voltage to LEVEL 1 CV, hold INT. OSC 10s until LEDs blink red, remove all cables and press INT. OSC to confirm.

Controls

Global ALGORITHM Knob Selects/morphs continuously between the seven cross-modulation algorithms. The knob's LED colour reflects the current algorithm.
1 Crossfade · 2 Wavefolder · 3 Diode ring-mod · 4 Digital ring-mod · 5 Bitwise XOR · 6 Comparator/octaver · 7 Vocoder
Global TIMBRE Algorithm-dependent tone/harmonics control — brightness, fold amount, ring-mod drive, XOR bit mask or vocoder formant shift.
Crossfade: mix · Folder: fold amount · Ring-mods: gain/clip · XOR: which bits · Compare: morph · Vocoder: formant shift
Channel 1 LEVEL 1 (Carrier amplitude / Internal osc frequency) When the internal oscillator is OFF, sets the carrier amplitude or the amount of AM from LEVEL 1 CV. When the internal oscillator is ON, sets the internal oscillator frequency.
Gain can be pushed above unity for a warm overdrive
Channel 2 LEVEL 2 (Modulator amplitude) Modulator input gain, or depth of AM from LEVEL 2 CV when a cable is present (LEVEL 2 CV is normalled to +5V when unpatched).
Gain can be pushed above unity for a warm overdrive
Global INT. OSC Button Enables the internal digital oscillator (replacing the external carrier) and cycles its waveform. LED colour shows current waveform; LED off = external carrier.
Cross-mod waves: sine, triangle, saw. Vocoder waves: saw, pulse, LP-filtered noise.
Global ALGORITHM CV (sum) Voltage on the ALGORITHM CV input is summed with the knob position — no attenuverter; enables continuous morphing between adjacent algorithms.
No dedicated attenuverter on the panel

I/O

IN · 6

  • LEVEL 1 CV audio/CV CV
    Carrier amplitude/AM CV when internal oscillator is OFF; acts as V/Oct input for the internal oscillator when it is ON.
  • LEVEL 2 CV audio/CV CV
    Modulator amplitude CV. Normalled to +5V when unpatched — when nothing is patched here the modulator runs at the gain set by LEVEL 2.
    NORM → +5V when unpatched
  • ALGORITHM CV CV CV
    CV added to the ALGORITHM knob position for algorithm selection/morph.
  • TIMBRE CV CV CV
    CV added to the TIMBRE knob position.
  • IN 1 (Carrier) modular level (10-20Vpp) AUDIO
    External carrier audio input. Expects modular level (typically 10Vpp, up to 20Vpp). When the internal oscillator is ON this input phase-modulates the oscillator, or feeds external noise into the LP filter for the noise waveform.
  • IN 2 (Modulator) modular level (10-20Vpp) AUDIO
    External modulator audio input. Expects modular level.

OUT · 2

  • OUT (Modulator output) audio CV
    Main processed output of the selected cross-modulation algorithm.
  • AUX audio AUDIO
    Auxiliary output. When the internal oscillator is OFF, carries the post-VCA sum of carrier and modulator. When the internal oscillator is ON, carries the raw internal oscillator waveform.