The Malstrom Wyvern breaks new ground as a stereo saturation controller that is transforming the sound design landscape. Allowing for both subtle and intense alterations, the Wyvern acts as a Eurorack module that heightens your sound design capabilities. Right out-of-the-box, it opens up a whole new world of creative options for your Eurorack setup as a sound designer, offering flexible and creative patching opportunities for any project.
Saturation is much more than just a tool for the sound designer; it’s a medium that can be used to add warmth, richness, and depth to your sounds, a feature that Wyvern perfects. However, without any other processing, it can make a sound harsh and undefined which makes it critical to saturate specific parts of the spectrum in a way that adds harmonics but not at the cost of the original sound quality.
The genius of Wyvern lies in its unique blend of modules; it contains a Filter EQ, Saturation, VCA, Dual Filter, and a Dry/Wet Balance that can generate distinctive combinations for a wide variety of sound design and patch situations. All operations are done in stereo, enabling it to be applied effortlessly to the final mix and stereo signals.
The Filter EQ stage allows for specificity in sound design, with a high-shelf, low-shelf and bell curve to enhance or lessen certain parts of the spectrum. The versatile gain setting can turn the EQ curves into a low-pass, high-pass and notch when set to the minimum. The Resonance control is a game changer, emphasizing a certain frequency or transforming Wyvern into a scream.
The saturation module is where you can introduce an array of alterations. The Drive control gives you the power to select from one of three saturation types – soft clipping, hard clipping and allpass distortion. While soft clipping emphasizes the third harmonic and compresses the sound, the hard clipping introduces emphasis on odd harmonics. An allpass distortion cleverly introduces phase shifts, distorting the sound to elevate your project. Beyond adding saturation, the level control can be used to drop the gain after saturation has been applied, making it double as a unipolar VCA. A boost switch and a clip indicator LED are additional tools at your disposal, allowing you to set the saturation scale adequately.
The post-saturation stage features a high-pass and low-pass combo. It permits you to select a frequency band from the previous stages alongside an easily achievable balance between the dry and wet signals.
The Wyvern is designed to play a variety of roles depending on your needs. Though primarily a saturation tool, it can switch roles to a stereo tone controller, EQ, filter, VCA, and even a phaser for all your sound design needs.
The Wyvern module is a Eurorack expert’s dream tool. It’s an invaluable addition to your music production process regardless of your genre or style, giving you detailed control over your sound. With the Wyvern, you unlock endless sonic possibilities, and enhance creative potential shaping your sounds. Now’s the time to take your Eurorack setup to new heights of expression and experimentation. Dive into the diverse functionalities of the Malström Wyvern and discover a more versatile, more potent sound design.
For more details, please check the manual and the list of dealers on the Malström website. Exciting adventures in sound design await with the powerful Wyvern.
Example Usage
To get started with the Wyvern module, let's explore its powerful Stereo Saturation Controller feature. Saturation is a crucial tool in sound design, as it can add warmth and richness to your audio. However, it's important to use saturation judiciously to avoid creating harsh or undefined sounds.
Wyvern's saturation control is designed to enhance your sound design capabilities. It consists of several key stages: Filter EQ, Saturation, VCA, Dual Filter, and Dry/Wet Balance, all working together to offer a wide range of creative possibilities. What sets Wyvern apart is its ability to work in stereo, allowing you to process your final mix and stereo signals effortlessly.
The Filter EQ stage provides control over the spectrum with options like high-shelf, low-shelf, and bell curves for boosting or cutting specific frequencies. The Resonance control lets you emphasize certain frequencies or create unique tonal effects.
Moving on to the Saturation stage, you have three saturation types to choose from: soft clipping, hard clipping, and Allpass distortion. Each type offers a distinctive flavor of saturation, allowing you to tailor the harmonics to suit your musical vision. The level control in this stage serves a dual purpose, letting you adjust the saturation amount and function as a unipolar VCA.
The Post-Saturation stage features a high-pass and low-pass filter combination, enabling you to select specific frequency bands for further processing. The balance control allows you to mix the processed signal with the dry signal to achieve the desired blend.
Whether you're aiming to add subtle analog warmth or push your sounds to the extremes, Wyvern offers a versatile toolset for sound manipulation. Beyond saturation, it can serve as a Stereo Tone Controller, EQ, Filter, VCA, Phaser, and more, making it a highly adaptable and creative instrument in your Eurorack setup.
With its comprehensive features and flexible controls, Wyvern opens up a world of sonic possibilities for your music production and sound design projects. Explore the depths of saturation and beyond with this innovative Eurorack module.
For more information on Wyvern and its capabilities, visit the official website at malstromaudio.com/wyvern. You can also refer to the detailed manual for in-depth guidance on utilizing all the module's features effectively. Check out authorized dealers to bring this powerful module into your Eurorack setup and elevate your sound design game.
In this intermediate-level example, let's explore how you can use the Wyvern eurorack module to create a unique stereo saturation effect on a synth bassline.
Start by sending your synth bassline signal through the Filter EQ stage of the Wyvern. Boost the low-shelf curve slightly to add warmth to the low frequencies, and experiment with the bell curve to emphasize certain mid-range harmonics. Adjust the Resonance control to add a touch of character or create screaming effects in specific frequency bands.
Next, route the processed signal to the Saturation stage. Increase the Drive control to add soft clipping saturation, focusing on the third harmonic for a compressed yet harmonically rich sound. Optionally, engage the Allpass distortion for additional texture and phase shifts. Use the level control to balance the saturated signal with the original signal, acting as a VCA to control the overall output level.
Finally, blend the saturated signal with the dry signal using the Post-Saturation high-pass and low-pass filters. Experiment with different frequency bands to fine-tune the tone of the output. Adjust the balance control to find the perfect mix between the processed and original signals.
By experimenting with the various stages and controls of the Wyvern module, you can craft a dynamic and textured stereo saturation effect that enhances the depth and richness of your synth bassline. Explore different settings and combinations to push the boundaries of sound design with this powerful eurorack module.
Further Thoughts
To explore the full potential of Wyvern's stereo saturation control, let's delve into a patch scenario where we aim to add warmth and richness to a vocal sample while maintaining its original character.
We'll start by utilizing the Filter EQ stage to shape the spectral profile of the input signal. By subtly boosting the high-shelf and low-shelf frequencies, we can enhance the presence and body of the vocals. Adjusting the resonance parameter allows us to pinpoint certain frequencies, adding a touch of character or even introducing dynamic movement to the sound.
Moving on to the Saturation stage, we'll engage the soft clipping mode to introduce a gentle compression and emphasize the third harmonic, giving the vocals a smooth and rounded texture. Experimenting with the drive control will enable us to find the sweet spot where the saturation enhances the overall timbre without overpowering the original signal.
As we progress to the Post-Saturation stage, we can further sculpt the processed sound by filtering out unwanted frequencies using the high-pass and low-pass filters. This stage also offers a convenient balance control, allowing us to blend the saturated signal with the dry input to achieve the desired mix.
By carefully adjusting the dry/wet balance and level controls throughout the chain, we can achieve a harmonious blend of saturated and clean signals, preserving the clarity of the vocals while imbuing them with a touch of analog warmth and depth. This approach showcases Wyvern's versatility as a powerful tool for creative sound design and processing in a stereo environment.