Neuzeit Instruments Warp Synth Module

The first synthvoice with artificial intelligence

With Warp, Neuzeit Instruments has created a powerful, digital synthvoice that can be played polyphonically with up to four voices. The main focus is on a combination of additive and wavetable synthesis, paired with excellent-sounding digital filters, internal envelopes and LFOs and detailed intervention options for sound shaping. Each primary control has its own CV input, all other parameters can be accessed via macros and internal modulations. The animated "galaxy", in which the AI-based waveforms and sound spectra are generated, catches the eye in the middle of the module.

In the middle of the Warp control panel is a colored XY LED matrix that represents the sound range from which Warp draws its sounds. This XY sound range consists of 32x16 frequency spectra. Each of Warp's four voices can move freely and independently in this XY space. The surrounding frequency spectra are always used to calculate a Wavetable based on 512 sine waves in real time using additive synthesis. By changing the position, wacky wavetable sounds are possible, which can be played with four voices and eight oscillators and can be navigated in two directions. An intuitive integrated editor allows you to playfully model your own frequency spectra.

With the SPEC effects, the frequency spectrum can be filtered and deformed in real time before a Wavetable is calculated. The Wavetable can then be modified with WARP effects such as Wavefolder, PWM Bend, Overdrive and Redux. The resulting Wavetable serves as a source for two oscillators per voice, which can be detuned and also synchronized to each other. Each voice is followed by a 12/24dB/octave high and low pass filter.

Warp offers an integrated editor with which you can playfully draw and change your own frequency spectra. The XY sound range is seen as a canvas on which you can draw your own frequency peaks. Various drawing algorithms are available as tools for editing individual or groups of harmonics in a musically meaningful way. It is also possible to derive frequency spectra from audio samples from the SD card or to place entire wavetable audio files in the XY sound area. The XY sound range can also be exported to the SD card as a wavetable audio file of any length and bit depth, so that Warp can also be used as an intuitive wavetable generator for other synthesizers.

Also on board are two internal ADSR envelopes and two LFOs, which can be routed to a variety of internal destinations via a modulation matrix. To keep track, all modulations are colour-coded and are additionally visualized by pulsating LEDs in the modulation matrix view.