Klavis

Notes: Digitally-controlled full-analogue path Granular + Multimode VCF

The Grainity brings a unique and never-heard-before concept to the world of analogue VCF.

While being based on analogue filtering only, the Grainity expands and enriches the sound in creating subharmonics, harmonies, unison, flanging effects and formant filtering all at once.

The module presents two sections, the granular filter itself and a typical multimode filter, each with its own output.

A third output offers a mix of both filter paths. Numerous controls and CV allow a very wide palette of results.

What is the Grainity

Granular?

The word granular was chosen for this filter module in relation to the concept invented by the composer Yannis Xenakis, and which is described as assembling small chops of sounds - he called grains - according to a pattern.

This is exactly what the Grainity does, no more no less ... but, digital control allows doing it in ways that are decades away from what tape and scissors allowed at the time.

Technology wise ...

In the granular section, the incoming sound cycle is determined in order to step through various filtering and phase variations of itself according to predefined patterns called structures.

The controls allow alterations to the cycling phase, cycling frequency offset (tuning), structure selection and frequency division of the filters cycling. This comes in addition to the usual filter frequency and resonance controls.

What the Grainity is not

Technology wise ...

Despite relying on a microprocessor, the Grainity is not a digital audio processor. At any time, the sound remains in the analogue domain and goes through analogue circuits from in to out.

The digital processor does not convert or generate audio signals; it is there to control the analogue circuitry and manage the interface and display.

Sound wise ...

Several digital modules offering granular processing rely on the layering of sound grains, which leads to blurry and cloudy textures.

Layering of the grains is a late addition to the concept of granular synthesis and is not a mandatory feature of the concept.

The Grainity does not use delay lines or sampling memory but is nevertheless true to the foundations of the granular synthesis concept.

The granular VCF in the Grainity is unconventional in that, most of times, it is not filtering the sound in the common expectation of removing something. Typically, the granular process adds more than it removes by expanding both the lower range, creating subharmonics, and the upper harmonic contents in multiples ways.

Dimensions
10 HP
21 mm deep

Current Draw
101 mA +12V
59 mA -12V
0 mA 5V

Notes: A unique analogue take on granular synthesis, inspired by Yannis Xenakis, the Grainity pairs a granular filter with a multimode filter to create new textures and harmonics.

Supplier's Notes:
The Grainity brings a unique and never-heard-before concept to the world of analogue VCF.

While being based on analogue filtering only, the Grainity expands and enriches the sound in creating subharmonics, harmonies, unison, flanging effects and formant filtering all at once.

The module presents two sections, the granular filter itself and a typical multimode filter, each with its own output.

A third output offers a mix of both filter paths. Numerous controls and CV allow a very wide palette of results.

What is the Grainity

Granular?

The word granular was chosen for this filter module in relation to the concept invented by the composer Yannis Xenakis, and which is described as assembling small chops of sounds - he called grains - according to a pattern.

This is exactly what the Grainity does, no more no less ... but, digital control allows doing it in ways that are decades away from what tape and scissors allowed at the time.

Technology wise ...

In the granular section, the incoming sound cycle is determined in order to step through various filtering and phase variations of itself according to predefined patterns called structures.

The controls allow alterations to the cycling phase, cycling frequency offset (tuning), structure selection and frequency division of the filters cycling. This comes in addition to the usual filter frequency and resonance controls.

What the Grainity is not

Technology wise ...

Despite relying on a microprocessor, the Grainity is not a digital audio processor. At any time, the sound remains in the analog domain and goes through analog circuits from in to out.
The digital processor does not convert or generate audio signals; it is there to control the analog circuitry and manage the interface and display.

Sound wise ...

Several digital modules offering granular processing rely on the layering of sound grains, which leads to blurry and cloudy textures.
Layering of the grains is a late addition to the concept of granular synthesis and is not a mandatory feature of the concept.
The Grainity does not use delay lines or sampling memory but is nevertheless true to the foundations of the granular synthesis concept.

The granular VCF in the Grainity is unconventional in that, most of times, it is not filtering the sound in the common expectation of removing something. Typically, the granular process adds more than it removes by expanding both the lower range, creating subharmonics, and the upper harmonic contents in multiples ways.

Dimensions
10 HP
21 mm deep

Current Draw
101 mA +12V
59 mA -12V

Notes: Voltage-controlled Dual VCO/LFO - two oscillators independently set as VCO or LFO.

Features in VCO mode:
V/Oct tracking over 10 octaves
Through zero and linear FM
Sub-octave output
Hard & soft synchronization
VCA control and CV algorithms selection
Quantizer with various scales
20 algorithm-based synthesis types among:
Wave shaping
Phase modulation
Phase positioning of multiple waves
Up to 5 stacked oscillators in tunable unison
Self-sync with phantom oscillator
Additive synthesis (7 waves)
Variable bit reduction (bit-crushing)
Ring modulator with its own 2nd oscillator
Noise with LPF, BPF, or resonant filter
Features in LFO mode:
Simultaneous signal and trigger outputs
External wave synchronization
Clock controlled rate with voltage controlled multiplier and divider
CV and knob control of output level
Algorithm based wave engine with a selection of:
Wave shaping
Phase modulation
Random levels and vectors (also Brownian)
Randomly spaced triggers and waves
Display with contextual icons and instant reminder help text
LEDs indicating potentiometer vs. value matching, switch settings and output levels
Automatically saved settings for instant recall at power on
Firmware update by playing an audio file via the front panel
Compact and skiff-friendly module

The driving idea behind the Twin waves voltage-controlled dual oscillator/LFO is to offer two interesting oscillators in a skiff-friendly and compact size. To achieve that challenge, Klavis built the product's architecture on the concept of pre-defined algorithms, where the most useful configurations and their matching parameter are ready to use.

This MKII evolution brings a redesigned layout, additional knobs for more hands-on fun and semi-modular cross-patching between sections.

All of the original features are present: a top selection of synthesis techniques, each with their key parameter directly at hand, enriched by a full set of complementary features.

More than ever, the Twin Waves is versatility at its best.

Dimensions:

(mm) Height: 128.40, Width: 40.40, Depth: 21.00
(Inches): Height: 5.06, Width: 1.59, Depth: 0.83
Eurorack: Height: 3HE, Width: 8HP
Depth behind panel (no supply cable inserted)- 21.00mm, 0.83 inches

Current draw
+12V: 46mA
-12V: 18mA
+5V: 0mA