Wavetables

What Is a Wavetable?

Traditional synthesizers use simple, fixed waveforms — a sine wave, a saw wave, a square wave. These are useful building blocks, but each one has a single, static character. A sine is always smooth. A saw is always bright and buzzy. To get something more interesting, you’d need to stack and process multiple oscillators.

A wavetable takes a different approach. Instead of one fixed waveform, a wavetable is a sequence of many waveforms arranged in order — like frames in a film strip. The Position parameter lets you sweep through those frames, smoothly morphing from one shape to the next. This means a single voice can transition from a warm, rounded tone to something harsh and metallic — or anything in between — just by moving one control.

This is why Cyclosonics uses wavetable synthesis instead of traditional waveforms. Vehicle sounds are complex and constantly shifting. A combustion engine doesn’t sound like a sine wave or a saw wave — it’s a rich, evolving texture that changes with RPM, load, and throttle. Wavetables let you capture that kind of complexity in a single voice. Route your throttle to the Position parameter and the timbre shifts as you ride — the sound isn’t just getting louder or higher, it’s fundamentally changing character.

With 5 independent voices, each running its own wavetable, the textures you can build are enormous. Layer a deep, rumbling wavetable with a bright, cutting one. Sweep them at different rates. Detune them against each other. The result is a sound that feels alive and three-dimensional — far beyond what static waveforms can achieve.

Wavetable Library

Wavetables are collections of single-cycle waveforms arranged in sequence. The Position parameter sweeps through these frames, creating smooth timbral transitions.

Bundled wavetables (always available offline):

Soft Analog — Classic electric piano style waveforms
Woof Bass — Deep, harsh, punchy bass tones
Basics — Fundamental waveshapes (sine, triangle, saw, square)

Additional wavetables will be added to the Cyclosonics audio engine periodically.