WMDevices

Notes: Chimera is a granular synthesis module that specializes in drum sounds. It offers a wide range of detailed sample sources as well as its own synthesis engine. Firmware updates can be performed via USB.

The module features various samples called Surfaces. The samples are mainly metallic sounds:

Tambourine
Bells
Drill
Wrenches
Cartridge cases
Coins
Chains
Metal housings
Broken modular front panels

Chimera uses impulsive sounds with lots of detail and long decay times to create detailed shaker-like sounds. The granular synthesizer was developed around the samples here, this has the advantage that the percussion sounds sound so more natural.

Power consumption: 63mA at +12V and 17mA at -12V

Depth: 38mm

HP : 8

Notes: Crucible is a drum module that specializes in metallic sounds and cymbals and tries to recreate them as realistically as possible.

By using classic digital synthesis blocks such as delay and digital filters, Crucible can synthesise sounds in real time that resemble thinly struck pieces of metal.

Size, Pitch, Tone and Deform give the user the parameters to shape their cymbal as they wish. The Excite control allows the user to change their attack, completely altering Crucible's response. Finally, you can choose where the exciter touches the engine by triggering the EDGE and MID inputs, or trigger both to strike the "bell".

All of this adds up to a lively and dynamic module that completely mimics the feel of playing a real cymbal.

Features:

Realistic sound!
Position-dependent trigger input. Strike the rim, the centre or the bell of the cymbal.
3 model types: Cymbal, Cracked Cymbal and Curved Plate
Audio input for experimental effects
Separate pitch and size controls for maximum realism
Choke input for perfectly timed hits
Proprietary synthesis model with digital filters and delays

Power consumption: 63mA at +12V and 17mA at -12V

Depth: 38mm

HP : 8

Notes: Originally inspired by audience applause, hip-hop samples, and classic drum machines, Fracture is a multi-particle percussion synthesizer that applies concepts from classic analogue clap circuits to granular synthesis methods.

It all starts from proprietary micro-samples we recorded specifically for this purpose and ends with an engine built to suit these samples.
Unlike our other percussion module, Chimera, which uses impulse rich samples as it's tonal center, Fracture uses single impulse samples like claps, snaps, ping pong balls, opening a beer can, and many more. It then plays a group of similar samples back in a psuedo random order for unique hits. Density, Decay, and Tail affect tone and how "tight" your virtual clappers are to playing together.

Our goal was to design a clap percussion module covering the range from classic drum machine claps all the way to full audience applause. We ended up with a module that covers a huge range of timbres beyond claps. We hope this engine provides you with the tools to intuitively create wild percussion sounds that bring your system to life in a new way.

Features
Stereo output
Control over "how many people" and " how tight" they sound together
Built in Hall and Room reverb
Two Trigger inputs for different types of sounds
3 Filter types, 3 Envelope types
Free running, Voltage Controlled "applause" capability
CV over all parameters

Specifications:
Size: 8hp Depth: 38mm (with cables)
Power: +61mA, -17mA
All CV Inputs: 100k ohm impedance
CV inputs sum with knobs
Full sweep is 5V
Gate Inputs: 100k impedance 2V threshold Schmitt Trigger
Audio Outputs: 470 ohm impedance
20Vpp range
1ms latency max

Notes: The MKII version of the PDO is available: Better CV handling, 16 HP, single PCB instead of stacked boards. An upgrade path is available for those with MKI versions, contact us for more information.

Introducing the WMD Phase Displacement Oscillator (PDO). This hybrid VCO has all the feel of an analog VCO but with the benefits of digital waveshaping. The PDO will easily find a home in your system!

The PDO exists to utilize the phenomenon of Phase Modulation (PM). This allows for the relative phase difference of its outputs to be set or modulated, producing very interesting sounds. The result is similar to Frequency Modulation (FM) but affects the output to a greater degree without affecting the stability of the initial frequency. This is where the "displacement" comes in.

When you use frequency stable phase displacement, you create phase distortion which sounds like wavefolding and is very useful for dynamic textures and powerful sounds.

PM has the same benefits of quadrature filters/sine wave generators and greatly exceeds their capabilities at audio rate modulations. PM is highly useful for for creating metallic and bell tones and very controlled harmonic interactions.

Because PM affects the relative phase and not the frequency of the waveform generated, the PDO can self modulate its PM inputs. This creates complex harmonic signals that seem to vary in frequency but are quite stable.

Phase Modulation is also quite powerful when using the PDO as an LFO. Adjusting the relative phase of each output allows for very precise modulation of other modules. Each output can have any of the available waveforms simultaneously. There is a myriad of modulation possible with the PDO!

Notes: Introducing the WMD Synchrodyne, a multi part and multi use eurorack module for the creation and manipulation of audio. Containing several pieces to a traditional synthesizer voice, the Synchrodyne is a powerful addition to any subtractive oriented system. However, it is designed primarily as an experimental sound source/filter, intended to push the limits of modular synthesis...WMD style. The Synchrodyne now has an expansion.

The Synchrodyne is designed as a way to implement a switched capacitor filter (SCF) chip without the use of a microcontroller to run the clock. We developed a fast analog VCO that can drive the SCF with a broad range of frequency control. The problem with this would be that the VCO is then dedicated to only running the filter. So we designed a frequency multiplier based around a Phase Locked Loop IC (PLL) to take the VCO and multiply its frequency up so that the VCO could be used as an audio source, while still controlling the filter. The SCF has a frequency ratio of 50:1 or 100:1 clock frequency to output cutoff frequency. The PLL allows for many ratios of input to output frequencies to be selected, making the VCO a simultaneous audio and control source.

The PLL introduced its own challenges. Taming the PLL to stabilize at high multiplication ratios required us to develop a damping circuit. The Damping and Track Speed controls cause the PLL to have its own sound, sort of a slew limiter and self Frequency Modulation. We wanted the Synchrodyne to distort nicely with audio input, and also to self-oscillate. We added single stage rectifiers to the -12dB and -24dB filter outputs for a more aggressive sound. We opted to develop a VCA and wavefolder for the front end of the filter to further expand the palate of distortion and processing of the Synchrodyne. We had more features to add, but space was limited and we didn't want to make an excessively expensive module, so we added two 14pin expansion headers for future development.

Notes: SPECTRUM is a precision, saw-core VCO with eight possible waveforms (six simultaneous outputs), an eight octave switch, LFO mode and FM mode select with attenuation.

In addition to the standard waveforms; sine, pulse, triangle and saw, SPECTRUM features two selectable saw/pulse hybrid waveforms and two selectable sub-octave waveforms with variable range.

Additional features include pulse width modulation with CV and attenuation, hard sync and panel accessible 1V/OCT calibration.

Power Draw: +80mA, -55mA. 10HP width. 25mm Depth.

Notes: Limited run of 600!

A legion of waveforms await. Endless possibilities ahead.

Legion is a new breed of analog oscillator with tons of individual waveform outputs, a host of useful CV inputs, and a few never-been-done-before analog tricks.

First off, this oscilator means precision. Built-in digital calibration means once you tune, you'll stay in tune. The tune knob can be switched between a fine and coarse mode, and can be locked out to protect against unintentional movement during a performance. It also features octave switches for quick movement between registers.

Power in pairs. Legion is great on it's own but thrives when it has a twin sibling in the case. Thru-zero linear FM keeps your fundamental in-tact while modulating it with another oscillator and onboard attenuator lets you dial in the amount. Stay in-tune while adding harmonic content with the classic technique. Thru-zero FM also works well with the saw wave output, adding more colors to your sonic palette.

A separate exponential FM input with correlating attenuator allows for simultaneous "wobble" or could be used for more traditional FM effects, when that is desired and the easy tuning makes for lush. consistent FM sounds in a flash.

The Alpha in the pack. In addition to the traditional waveforms commonly found in analog oscillators, Legion has a unique saw wave section. Inspired by the oscillator in the Alpha Juno synthesizer, we've added what we call "windows" to the saw wave output. A window is essentially a negative pulse in the center of the saw wave, creating an overtone to the classic waveforms sound. Use the switch to add more windows, creating a more complex high end. Then, use pulse-width modulation to really bring this effect to life by increasing and decreasing the size of the windows with an external CV source such as an LFO. This effect really adds teeth to the waveform.

In addition to the above, Legion also has an output called Swarm, which is essentially an analog supersaw. For this output, we start with a saw wave and then use seven DAC LFOs to modulate the phase of multiple reset points within the original. What this does is create the illusion of multiple saws being stacked on top of eachother, slightly going in and out of tune with each other. Control the intensity of the unison effect with the detune knob, and switch on up to seven LFOs with the Timbre switch for a powerful, detuned supersaw effect that remains 100% analog.

Legion also hosts a sub-oscillator with switchable octave and Saw, Triangle, Square, and PW waveforms, a first in Eurorack in that it also fully reacts to Thru-Zero FM! A Thru-Zero sub oscillator that's not just a square wave.

The oscillator was designed around the SSI2130 TZFM oscillator chip, with a ton of WMD designed peripherals, waveshapers, digital control, etc. We found that all the extra stuff used a ton of power, so this took some serious engineering work on the internal power supplies. The result is a module that uses very little power and thus stays cool and consistent in temperature, meaning that it's incredibly stable for tuning. Far better than any other oscillator we've designed, and we're well known for stable oscillators. The downside is that these power supply parts and special opamps are entirely unavailable due to the world wide semiconductor shortage. We secured enough parts for 600 Legions, and that's it. Get it while you can, there isn't another run planned.

Controls

OCT Switches - Transpose up or down by one octave with these buttons.

Tune Knob- Master tune over the oscillator's pitch. Push encoder to switch between coarse and fine tune, hold to lock tuning.

PW/Detune knob - Set pulse width for Pulse outputs and waveforms with Windows

PWM Knob- Attenuator for Pulse Width (PW) Input

LIN FM knob - Attenuator for Linear FM input

EXP FM knob - Attenuverter for Exponential FM input

Windows Switch - Hold to select waveform, tap to cycle through number of windows. Left = Fewer, Right = More

Sub Oct Switch - Controls the sub oscillator. Tap to select 1 or 2 octaves down. Hold for Waveform Selection

Swarm Timbre Switch - Cycle through amount of "voices" in the supersaw swarm

Specifications

Size: 8hp
PCB height: 112mm
Depth: 38mm (with cables)
Power: +70mA, -58mA, high-efficiency power supply.
Frequency Range: LFO of ~2 minutes to 8kHz baseline. CV extends well beyond.
Tuning: 7 Octaves minimum +- 2 cents. 8 Octaves nominal.
Saves settings after 1 minute of inactivity.