Shockwave Synthesizer for iOS (AUv3) is monophonic, based on phase distortion synthesis and is very flexible thanks to its deep but easy-to-use semi-modular engine.
2019 was almost a boring, calm year for the iOS Synthesizer market but only almost. The triggered Shockwave of Kai Karas, developer of Numerical Audio apps has revived this market again something. It is built around the concept of phase distortion synthesis with two PD oscillators and paired with a huge amount of different creative features.
One of the highlights is a pair of LFOs and 2 ASR envelopes that can be used in a number of ways. You can trigger them with the help of different modules like trigger dividers, logic or chance modules. These can be used individually or connected to each other to create very complex modulations. It’s a feature that is rarely seen in an iOS app. Plus it includes a pair of 8 step-sequencers and sample & hold module that is also equipped with different modules.
Easy Modulation
The modulation workflow is very simplified here. You can modulate almost any control with up to 11 sources simultaneously and with a simple control hold, you can dial in the desired modulation amount. A special X-Ray mode adds a realtime display of all currently active modulations right at their corresponding control making it easy to understand what’s happening inside the synthesizer at any given time.
Monophonic Expressiveness
Besides different built-in effects (delay & reverb), Shockwave also features an advanced MIDI implementation including support for a single channel of MPE, regular and poly aftertouch, custom MIDI CC mappings and more. The name MPE should not be used here, that it is only a monophonic one, and MPE stands for MIDI polyphonic expression. Thus it’s a bit misleading. I hope with MIDI 2.0, the topic becomes easier.
Features At A Glance
- semi-modular monophonic synth voice
- phase distortion synthesis (PD)
- dual PD oscillators with 5 waveforms + noise
- dual ASR envelopes with variable trigger source
- dual LFO with tempo sync
- cross modulation with linear/exp (FM/PM/AM & RM)
- mixer section with individual pan and level controls per oscillator
- output VCA with variable control source
- pattern generator for generating sequences from various internal sources
- quantizer to force note input into a specific scale (19 scales + user scales)
- step sequencer with 2×8 or 1×16 steps, individual rate, and number of steps per row
- trigger divider for dividing internal trigger sources
- probability gate for adding controlled randomness
- sample & hold for additional randomness
- logic module to create triggers from various internal sources
- built-in delay & reverb effects
- MIDI note and CC output for controlling external gear or chaining multiple instances
- semi-modular architecture
- 11 modulation sources
- 40 modulation destinations
- 2 color themes
- MIDI input: MPE (single channel), aftertouch (channel/poly), modwheel/pitch bend, tempo sync, custom CC control
- MIDI output: note, control change
- connectivity: standalone, AUv3, AudioBus & IAA
- iOS 11+ & iPad 4th generation or newer. (upcoming update supports iOS 9 & 10)
Numerical Audio Shockwave is available now for $9.99 USD from the Apple App Store. Support the iOS coverage on Synth Anatomy over Patreon and have the chance to win Shockwave Synthesizer.
More information here: Numerical Audio
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