---
description: >-
  For the most part, blocks in this menu distort your waveform.  This causes
  additional harmonics to be generated, and with that usually comes aliasing.
---

# Wave Shaper

### Aliaser

The aliaser resamples your audio in such a way as to create (usually) a lot of extra harmonic information that is NOT lined up mathematically with the input signal and usually sounds really bad.  However, it can be used as a special effect.  I'm not going to stop you.

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FuWtYeTUR9cTRqo52NuHn%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=05ea4ce8-7f52-4473-afdf-195f4fa0a6e6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Based on [Frank Thompson's code](http://spinsemi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=262) from Spin Semiconductor/Octave Distribution. &#x20;

The control input lets you change the resampling frequency while the "Rip Low" and "Rip High" sliders in the control panel let you adjust the range over which the control input operates.  If the control input is not connected, "Rip Low" is ignored and "Rip High" is used.  The higher this is set, the higher the sampling frequency.  It does not correspond directly to Hz.

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FD6jUuDGYnpdMNyNqxN1m%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e8716f7e-e4dc-435e-83d9-afa855a53269" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

&#x20;There are two outputs - "Raw" and "Smoothed".  These treat the waveform somewhat differently.   Here I show the effect on a 100 Hz sine wave.

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FO0MbtIlT8meDRQ6FSKy9%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ddf7f626-6bd8-49d6-a6ae-e321344e5cf7" alt=""><figcaption><p>RAW Output</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2Fhbnx6p71sLVu6gC4ZSl0%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=60fe2918-a09c-48f3-ad7a-5a1f7cc1a7d3" alt=""><figcaption><p>Smoothed Output</p></figcaption></figure>

As you can see, the smoothed output looks fairly similar to the input.  As usual, use your ears to decide which one you like.

The "Smoothed" output uses a lot more instructions, which will be saved if that output pin is not connected.

Here's the [Spincad Builder source code](https://github.com/HolyCityAudio/SpinCAD-Designer/blob/master/src/SpinCADBuilder/Aliaser.spincad).



### Cube

Implements the [cubed distortion algorithm](http://spinsemi.com/knowledge_base/pgm_quick.html#Cube%20Distortion:) from Spin's web site.

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FiJFj3QMsxkrE4xaCjlgX%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=dbe9026f-4744-4e80-8a1d-9e2f1f740c2f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Distortion

This looks like the [Keith Barr distortion](http://spinsemi.com/get_spn.php?spn=dist.spn\&prodnum=SPN1001) from Spin Semiconductor's "[Free DSP Programs](http://spinsemi.com/programs.php)".  It may be what is described in the last paragraphs of [this article](http://spinsemi.com/knowledge_base/effects.html#Distortion) at Spin's Knowledge Base.

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FvuckXaMciuv9fha5an7f%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4bc4c1e2-5e3c-4612-9b33-49c6e74566cc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Noise AMZ

Strictly speaking, this is not a Wave Shaper function.  This is an LFSR type white noise generator contributed by Jack Orman, the wizard from [AMZFX](http://www.muzique.com/). &#x20;

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FVl1VbZ911OKjYE9qbJ6k%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=aad0c35f-9a7f-4222-9f1a-d54b32d85798" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The control panel has an output level control (-24.0 to 0.0 dB peak) as well as an option to select the range -1.0 -> 1.0 (audio) or 0.0 -> 1.0 (control).

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FLR5z5RhX9rdoUvtUYkVd%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=51cee51a-54e9-400d-a434-1a4611a350d7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Octave Fuzz

This block simply implements the ABSA instruction, which rectifies the signal, flipping negative signals over to become positive. &#x20;

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FHCB1SzBAW1ia18eyDe5m%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bbbb5388-b70d-4432-8fb5-cee375776be7" alt=""><figcaption><p>Absolute value of a sine wave</p></figcaption></figure>

This generates a lot of second harmonic and with the right input can give an octave effect on single note lines along with a lot of distortion and aliasing.  It is recommended to follow this with a high pass filter in order to avoid a DC offset in the audio path.

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FWuk3L5qEv0ItlpYE1hmj%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9c2d93df-015e-434a-9005-9fdb4b2ea675" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Overdrive

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FpfrJu6DHaMTgzGdLn4jV%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7d123ed1-634e-471a-8d3f-b40e48655584" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The overdrive block increases the gain by 6 dB for each stage (1 to 3 stages can be selected in the control panel).  Once the signal level hits +/- 1.0 it simply saturates.  There is an input gain and output gain setting available in the control panel.  The control input is just the same as using a volume control block prior to the first gain stage.  There is some low pass filtering distributed throughout.

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FtueR4xmWsSt4oKU1sWN5%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a226be90-2257-468a-ba09-0591be2417f1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Quantizer

The Quantizer reduces the bit depth used to render your signal.  This results in quantization noise being added to your signal, which gets worse with smaller signals.  The sampling rate remains the same.  The control input allows you to reduce the number of bits being used by a control input.

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FJuRN1jNFkWiEjekPIua1%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e94e9660-bf57-4778-bd9d-bbc7325824aa" alt=""><figcaption><p>Bits = 2</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FloXzITHe6iUGE2jdwaUo%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a09f34be-60d8-4c93-acee-1a3ff93c5f15" alt=""><figcaption><p>Bits = 4</p></figcaption></figure>

## T/X

This block implements the T/X smooth overdrive described [here](http://spinsemi.com/knowledge_base/pgm_quick.html#Distortion) in the Spin Knowledge Base.  The control panel lets you set the number of stages from 1 to 4.  With 1 stage, it can be used as a soft clipper.  With 4 stages it gets pretty distorted and you will probably want to put a Volume block after it to control the output level.

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2FO5tQrMgWIFKquPduFxGA%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8aaf4d7e-a48f-4840-b13b-0bce53f8d189" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://4148137667-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvkMElNCYnDaBJfC78R6c%2Fuploads%2Fe8itky5Kvldlr8GmPPwC%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=eec69d34-e18b-443d-98dd-a50e8ef44e44" alt=""><figcaption><p>Staqes = 1</p></figcaption></figure>
