NAMM 2024: EarthQuaker Devices The Wave Transformer is a new budget-friendly novel analog VCO with complex tone-shaping capabilities.
EarthQuaker Devices is a well-known US-based effects pedal company. Especially popular with guitarists. The pedals are also often used with synths. They also like to experiment with synthesizers and modular gear. Afterneath Reverb was the company’s first Eurorack module.
For NAMM 2024, they follow up with a second module.
EarthQuaker Devices The Wave Transformer
The Wave Transformer is the second EQD Eurorack module. Exciting, it’s not an effect processor but a big analog oscillator. According to Joshua Kolenc, the designer of the module, it’s an analog, vintage-voiced VCO with over 8 octaves of accurate pitch tracking.
It can output the traditional waves, including sine, triangle, and saw. However, it is not another “more of the same” VCO. It has a complex tone-shaping soul made for wilder sounds that rely on a new novel circuit.
Part of this new circuit is classic functions like soft & hard sync and linear and exponential FM, adding instant harmonic to your sounds. But there is more.
TWT also offers multi-stage morphing from basic waveforms into complex, mutated audio content using the big CV-controllable transform knob. Another cool functionality is the ability to mute the source waveform. Once muted, you can use the module as a harmonic gate/VCA.
Then, it also hosts a shape insert, allowing the use of the module as a processor. You can input external signals and modular-level audio sources and shape them in new ways with the shaping power of the “The Wave Transformer.
Also onboard is a sub-oscillator/source section. This can be the internal oscillator generating the suboctaves (-1/-2) or an external signal plugged into the shaped insert.
The Wave Transformer is not a small module with 20HP but offers a lot of CV options. You can find CV inputs for every function, 1V/oct in, additional pulse width CV, µTune CV in, and more.
A unique input is the µTune CV Input, which is an exponential CV input and accepts +/-10 volts. This input can be used to sequence precise pitch bends, adding pitch instability with a random voltage source, or sequencing tiny changes in pitch for drone or microtonal music.
First Impression
An exciting analog oscillator with its own design and feature set. There are a lot of fresh ideas in there that make you want to use the module. Especially for the surprisingly low price.
EarthQuaker Devices The Wave Transformer is available now for $199
More information here: EarthQuaker Devices
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