Modules: Time

Freeze

A module with an attitude! Freeze is a time freezer: press the Freeze button and the incoming sound will freeze in its current state, and will stay that way until another Freeze or until it is sent back to normal state via the Melt button. The transition from one frozen state to the next, and from frozen to normal state, is controlled with the Transition time knob — this enables the transition to be smooth and gradual.

Slicer

This is one of the coolest modules in the collection. It slices the signal into chunks that are alternated with one of three different options, defined by the combo box on the module’s face:

• Sample & Hold fills the gaps with a “frozen” sample of the last frame from the main input before the slice began.
• Silence.
• Side channel or external audio.

The On time knob determines the length of the main input slices (normal mode), and the Slice time knob controls the length of the silence, Sample & Hold or side channel slices. Some very cool effects can be obtained by using very small values.

Wobbler

As you can probably guess, this module creates a sinusoidal-based “wobbling” sound by changing the amplitudes of the input frequencies. The Amplitude knob defines the intensity of the wobbling (or how much the sound seems to go up and down). An Offset parameter is provided so that you can shift the whole input down before the wobbling stage — it might therefore be advisable to start with a negative Offset value that reflects the positive setting of the Amplitude setting. The Period function defines the rate of wobbling.

Reverser

This one breaks the input down into chunks and reverses them. For instance, the name “SpectrumWorx” might be output as “cepSmurtxroW”. There is only one parameter: Chunk length. You can achieve some supremely alien effects with this one. One warning note: Reverser introduces delay. However, that delay can actually be used to create some interest as well.

Imploder

Imploder freezes incoming high amplitudes and introduces a slow decay towards the selected Limit level. Additionally, the frequency is gradually altered, controlled by the Glissando knob; glissandos are given in cents per second. Decay governs the time needed to decay from the current amplitude value down to the Limit value. Amplitudes lower than the Gate parameter are left untouched. Amplitudes are decayed until a higher signal is received at the input or until the Limit is reached.

Exploder

Pretty much the same idea found in the Imploder: this one also freezes amplitudes, but instead of introducing decay it ramps them up towards the Limit. Glissando is applied in the same way as it is in the Imploder. Amplitudes are ramped up until a louder signal is received at the input or until the Limit is reached. Amplitudes lower than the Gate parameter are left untouched.