Waves Audio introduces Element, its first-ever synthesizer. Powered by Virtual Voltage™ technology, Waves Audio Element Synthesizer is an analog-style polyphonic instrument engineered to deliver the fat, gritty sound of the classics, with all the precision, flexibility and control of contemporary digital synths. Waves Audio Element Synthesizer includes a vast array of convenient features and functions, including integrated effects, a 16-step arpeggiator/sequencer, MIDI Learn for all controls and a massive preset library, with total tweakability. Plus, all parameters are laid out right in front of the user, so when inspiration strikes, there’s no need to scroll through page after page to customize sounds. Searing leads, booming basses, ethereal pads, electro-percussion, sequential motions, mind-blowing FX and lots more: Element does it all.
London-based Yoad Nevo, who has enjoyed a successful career as a producer/engineer for such artists as Air, Goldfrapp and Pet Shop Boys, in addition to being a longtime Waves developer, was instrumental in the development of Element. He states, “In my work, I use synthesizers quite a bit. Even though I have a large collection of analog synths, I’m always on the lookout for cool new virtual instruments. So when Waves decided to build a synth from the ground up, there were certain things I made sure it had. We knew we wanted to create a synth that would be straightforward and easy to use, so we started with a basic subtractive synthesis engine. We then developed the engine further, adding features and functions along the way, until it grew into a mature synth.”
Nevo continues, “Element provides fat sound right off the bat, but also has very comprehensive editing capabilities, which I used to create most of its presets. We made sure to include all its features on a single page: the step sequencer, modulation matrix and effects section, everything. Whether scrolling through presets of creating completely new sounds from scratch, we saw to it that Element would provide users with instant sonic gratification.”
Waves Audio Element Synthesizer Top Features
# Powered by Virtual Voltage™ technology
# Integrated chorus, delay, reverb, distortion and bit crusher effects
# 16-step arpeggiator / sequencer
# Plugin and standalone components
Waves Audio Element Synthesizer Controls
Oscillators
# OCT determines the pitch range.
# TUNE determines the pitch.
# FINE fine-tunes the pitch.
# TYPE determines the waveform type.
# PW determines the pulse width. (Pulse waves only)
# VCO selects between virtual Voltage-Controlled Oscillation and virtual Digitally- Controlled Oscillation.
# SINE MOD controls the modulation of OSC 1 using a sine oscillator. (OSC 1 only)
# FM (Frequency Modulation) controls the amount by which the frequency of OSC 2 is modulated by OSC 1. (OSC 2 only)
# PhM (Phase Modulation) controls the amount by which the phase of OSC 2 is modulated by OSC 1. (OSC 2 only)
# SYNC synchronizes the triggering the OSC 2 waveform to the rate of OSC 1.
Additional Oscillators & Mix Section
# SUB mixes in a triangle wave one octave below OSC 1.
# NOISE mixes in white noise.
# RING controls the ring modulation of OSC 1 and OSC 2.
# OSC 1 / OSC 2 activate each oscillator.
# MIX balances the mix between OSC 1 and OSC 2.
# MONO toggles between monophonic and polyphonic modes.
# RTRG controls envelope re-triggering.
# UNISON activates a doubling effect which creates a richer sound.
# PORT determines the glide time (portamento) between notes.
# LEGATO determines whether glide will always occur, or only when the previous note is still held.
Voltage Controlled Filter
# TYPE determines the filter type.
# SLOPE toggles between two types of pole filters.
# CUTOFF controls the VCF cutoff frequency.
# RES controls the amount of filter resonance.
# ENV determines the envelope’s cutoff modulation depth.
# KBD controls keyboard tracking using C3 as its reference point.
# FM controls the amount of frequency modulation on filter cutoff by OSC 1.
# ADSR determines the filter’s envelope cutoff behavior after a note is triggered.
# VEL sets the VCF cutoff in relation to the Note On velocity.
# SHAPE determines the contour of the envelope time constants.
Voltage Controlled Amplifier
# VCA envelope controls the note level from trigger to release.
# VEL sets the envelope depth in relation to the Note On velocity.
# SHAPE determines the contour of the envelope time constants.
# PUNCH controls the dynamic transient enhancer.
Low Frequency Oscillators
# TYPE controls the LFO waveform shape.
# RATE controls the frequency of the free LFO.
# TIME controls the rate of the synced LFO, locked to the project BPM.
# LED displays pulsate at the same rate as the LFOs.
Envelope 3
# VEL sets the envelope depth in relation to the Note On velocity.
# SHAPE determines the contour of the envelope time constants.
Modulation Matrix
# PHASE inverts the phase, per assignment.
# SRC determines the modulation source.
# DEST determines the destination of the modulation source.
# MOD sets the amount by which the modulation source affects the destination.
Arpeggiator/Sequencer
# MODE determines the operational mode.
# OCT determines the range, in octaves, of the arpeggiator.
# TIME (drop-down) activates the host BPM sync function, and sets the rate using note values.
# RATE sets the arpeggiator rate when TIME is set to Free.
# GATE determines the length of each sequencer step as a percentage of its note length.
# STEPS determines the number of steps in the current sequence.
# SWING pushes even-numbered notes/steps toward the next odd-numbered note/step, to create a shuffle/swing feel.
Effects
# DIST controls the amount of distortion effect.
# PRE/POST is a toggle control which determines the placement of the distortion effect in the signal path, either pre-VCF or post-VCF.
# CRSHR is a distortion-like effect which simulates a reduction in the bit-depth and resolution of the sound.
# DELAY is a stereo delay allows separate delay times for left and right channels, using note values.
# # LEFT sets the delay time for the left channel.Waves Audio introduces Element, its first-ever synthesizer. Powered by Virtual Voltage™ technology, Waves Audio Element Synthesizer is an analog-style polyphonic instrument engineered to deliver the fat, gritty sound of the classics, with all the precision, flexibility and control of contemporary digital synths.
# # RIGHT sets the delay time for the right channel.
# # MIX determines the amount of delay effect in the mix.
# # FEEDBACK determines the amount of gain fed back to the delay input.
# REVERB controls both the amount and size of the virtual plate reverb sound.
# CHORUS determines the amount of chorus modulation.
EQ
# HiPASS controls the high pass filter frequency.
# LoPASS controls the low pass filter frequency.
# 100 controls equalization at 100 Hz.
# 600 controls equalization at 600 Hz.
# 1500 controls equalization at 1500 Hz.
# 9000 controls equalization at 9000 Hz.
Global and Out Sections
# TEMPO displays the current tempo.
# SOURCE determines the clock source.
# VOICES determines the number of voices which may be played simultaneously.
# HD activates High Definition mode, which extends the digital resolution, resulting in enhanced depth and greater high-end definition.
# GAIN sets Element’s overall output volume, after all generators and processors.
# METER displays Element’s overall output energy.
Waves Audio Element Synthesizer is now available at a U.S. MSRP of $200, with a special introductory price of $99.
Source: Waves Audio Press Release / Clyne Media Communication
