RYK VECTOR WAVE - USER
MANUAL V1.24 FIRMWARE
The Vector Wave is a FM & Harmonic synthesiser voice, with four bank
vector synthesis or true four voice polyphony with in built Envelopes
and LFO modulation sources.
OVERVIEW
The Vector Wave has 16 sine wave oscillators, divided into four Banks
A,B,C,D.
These oscillators can be configured in series or parallel combinations
to create complex FM or additive waveforms and textures.
If you are not familiar with FM synthesis, please take a look at this
overview from Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_modulation_synthesis
There are four Modes, that allocate the Oscillator Banks in different
ways: VECTor, POLYphonic, and MULTi-timbral.
The Mode is set via the Settings Menu [ see PAGE 12]
VECT1/2 mode creates a monophonic voice from all four Banks, mixed
via the joystick or vector animation.
POLY mode duplicates the settings from Oscillator Bank A to all other
Banks to create four voices of polyphony.
MULT mode uses each oscillator Bank as a separate voice, trigger-able
from consecutive MIDI channels, or using the Expander module.
Oscillator banks can be created with quick set-ups of harmonic
spreads, random formant style clusters, and chords groups in the
Oscillator Menu (see PAGE 5) which also allows for saving and loading
of individual banks.
When using VECT1/2 mode, the joystick position controls the mix
between the four Banks A,B,C,D.
The joystick position Vectors can be stored, and then animated or
triggered from modulation sources for complex repeatable timbre
changes.
There are 6 available Modulation Slots (see PAGE 8), allowing external
CV sources, and the internal modulation sources to be routed to any
parameter within the Vector Wave.
User Voice Patches containing all the Oscillator Bank settings,
modulation patches, envelope and LFO settings etc can be stored in
internal memory and recalled at a later time from the Setting Menu
(see PAGE 12).
MIDI input can be used instead of V/Oct GATE, and also allows velocity,
aftertouch and MIDI CCs as modulation sources.
MIDI Program Change messages automaticaly load User Voice
Patches when received by the Vector Wave.
The optional Expander module adds three more V/Oct and Gate
inputs, allowing the module to be utilised as four separate individual
synth voices.
Dimensions
17 HP
25 mm deep
Power consumption
60 mA +12V
5 mA -12V
0 mA 5V
OSCILLATOR BANKS
Pushing the Red button accesses the Oscillator
Bank mode. Repeated pushes cycle between
each bank, A,B,C,D.
Each bank has 4 oscillators. Each oscillator has a
column of top and bottom knobs, to control the parameters.
The Oscillator Display has four pages, depending on which controls are
being used:
The top row knobs control the harmonic frequency of each oscillator
[1-32]. Pushing them will switch between the oscillator harmonic and
the oscillator fine tune [+/- 0-99]
The bottom knobs control the amplitude level of each oscillator.
Pushing any of the bottom row knobs will enable the FM algorithm
mode.
In the FM algorithm mode, pushing a knob will toggle the associated
oscillator between carrier, series modulator, or parallel modulator. The
signal flow for modulation oscillator to carrier oscillator is from left to
right.
A modulation oscillator is shown as a solid box shape, a carrier
oscillator is shown as an outline box shape.
The modulation oscillator, modulates the carrier to create rich and
harmonically complex sounds.
The amount of modulation is controlled by the level of the modulation
oscillator, the level of Envelope 2, and also the XM [ cross modulation ]
amount in the Q Quick Performance page [ see PAGE 11 ].
It is generally best to use small amounts of modulation oscillator level
for subtle and usual sounds, increasing the amount results in generally
more extreme sounds.
The relationship of the oscillator harmonic frequencies plays a big part
in how FM cross-modulation will sound. Try changing the oscillator
harmonics within an FM setup to hear how the sound changes.
Example1
Oscillator 1&2 are combined in parallel to modulate oscillator 3.
Oscillator 4 is not modulated.
Example 2
Oscillator 1 is modulating oscillators 2,3,& 4.
Example 3
Oscillator 1 is modulating oscillator 2, oscillator 3 is modulating
oscillator 4
OSCILLATOR MENU
Pushing and holding the Red Oscillator button for a
few seconds will activate the Oscillator Menu,
pushing the button again for a few seconds will exit
the Oscillator Menu.
The Oscillator Menu enables quick setups of the Oscillator Bank
frequencies, chords, random clusters, and also loading and saving of
banks.
Use the bottom left knob to select the function, and the bottom right
knob to select the destination bank[s] that will be affected.
In CHRD mode, the 3rd bottom row knob selects the chord.
In LOADB & SAVEB the operation affects the current bank indicated by
the ABCD Bank LEDs.
INIT - Resets all banks.
CPY TO - Copy the currently selected bank, indicated by the ABCD
Bank LEDs, to the destination bank[s]
ALL - Automatically assign ascending harmonics to the destination
bank[s].
ODD - Automatically assign ascending odd harmonics to the destina-
tion bank[s].
RND - Automatically assign random harmonics to the destination
bank[s]
CLUST - Automatically assign random formant clusters of harmonics
to the destination bank[s]
CHRD – Allocates 1 of 14 types of chord to the destination bank[s]
LOADB – Load an Oscillator Bank from the store number, to the Bank
indicated by the ABCD Bank LEDs
SAVEB – Save the Bank indicated by the ABCD Bank LEDs to the store
number
The root frequency of the CHRD mode is defined by the first oscillator
in the destination bank.
HARMONIC VIEW
Pushing and holding any of the top row knobs for a few seconds will
activate the Harmonic View, pushing again for a few seconds will exit
the view.
This display view shows the harmonics of all four banks of oscillators
across the display.
The harmonic frequencies can be adjusted with the top row knobs,
whilst the amplitude level can be adjusted with the bottom row knobs.
The active Oscillator Bank harmonics will appear brighter than the other
banks.
NB. If there are BF (band filter) or LF (low filter) used in the Modulation
Slots, their effect will be visible on the harmonic display.
ENVELOPES & LFOS
Pushing the ENV/LFO button accesses the
Envelope and LFO modes.
Repeated pushes will cycle between ENV1 &
ENV2, or LFO1 and LFO2 depending which page
you are using.
Use the top row knobs to select the Envelope page, and the bottom
row knobs to select the LFO page.
ENVELOPE PAGE
There are two ADSR type envelopes, ENV1 controls the amplitude of
the Vector Wave voice outputs, ENV2 controls the XM [ cross modula-
tion FM ] amount of each Oscillator Bank.
The top row knobs control the Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release settings
of the current envelope.
The Envelope settings can be global [ GLB ] or per Bank [ BNK ]
[ Refer to Page 12 Settings Menu - ENV to select ].
If using bank [ BNK ] envelopes you can select a different Bank
Envelope by holding the Blue ENV button then pressing the Red Bank
button.
The default trigger source of ENV2 is the Gate input, but this can be
changed to an alternate input when using singular [ GLB ] envelopes.
To do this push any top row knob to cycle through the trigger source
options: Gate, M1, M2, M3, M4, or OFF.
LFO PAGE
There are two LFOs. They can be used to add movement to a sound by
modulating a destination attribute of an Oscillator Bank, such as
amplitude [AM]. [ Refer to Page 8 Modulation Slots ]
Use the bottom row knobs to select one of the following waveforms
Sine, Triangle, Saw, Ramp, Square, Random, Noise, and to adjust the
frequency of the LFO.
The LFOs can be free run, or reset from one of the following trigger
sources, Gate, M1, M2, M3, M4. Use the 2nd bottom row knob to
choose this option.
MODULATION SLOTS
Pushing the Mod button accesses the
Modulation Slots. Repeated pushes will cycle
between all the slots.
Each slot allows a modulation source to modulate
a destination attribute, such as an LFO modulating Wave Fold [FD].
Modulation sources include control voltages from one of the M1-M4
inputs, or internal sources such as the LFOs, Joystick, and Envelopes.
Each destination, for example Oscillator Bank A, has a sub option [
suffix ] for example WP [ Wave Warp ], which is the destination attribute
to be modulated.
Use the bottom row knobs to select the modulation source, destina-
tion, and destination suffix.
Use the top row knobs to select the modulation amount [ Attenuverter ],
and modulation offset. These can be positive or negative values.
For example to create an inverted [ subtractive ] modulation, dial the
offset amount to a positive value, and dial the modulation amount to a
numerically similar negative value. [ see example below ].
In this example Envelope2 is modulating the FD amount [ Wave Fold ]
of Oscillator Banks A through to D.
The Envelope is used subtractively to reduce the amount of Wave
Folding as the Envelope signal grows, and conversely increase the
amount of Wave Folding as the Envelope signal reduces.
Modulation Sources:
M1,M2,M3,M4 – External CV sources from M1,M2,M3 or M4
JYX, JYY - Joystick X or Y position
EV1/EV2 - Envelope1 or Envelope2
LF1,LF2 - LFO1 or LFO2
CV - The V/OCT pitch input
MVL - MIDI Velocity
MAT - MIDI Aftertouch
MMD - MIDI Modulation Wheel
MBD - MIDI Pitch Bend
CC2-CC49 - MIDI CCs
Gate ** - GATE Trigger
M1[T] - The M1 Trigger input **
** These are only available as trigger sources when VEC is
selected as a destination
Modulation Destinations:
A-D, or A,B,C,D - Oscillator Banks
AM – Amplitude modulation
FM – Frequency modulation
XM – Oscillator Cross modulation [ Amount of FM
algorithm modulation ]
WP - Waveform warp [ Continuously variable wave
shape from Sine to Saw to Pulse ]
HM – Harmonic shift of modulators oscillators
DT – Detune spread amount
PN – Output Pan of bank for output jacks [ -99 =
100% OUT L , +99 = 100% OUT R ]
FD – Wave folding [ classic wave folding for
complex harmonic generation ]
BF – Harmonic Band pass filter frequency
[ passes a narrow band of the oscillator harmonic
frequencies ]
LF – Harmonic Low pass filter frequency [ passes a
low shelf of the oscillator harmonic frequencies ]
VEC – Vector animation position from a modulator. Or Trigger
playback from Gate or M1[T] input,
LF1,LF2 - LFO1 or LFO2
AM – Amplitude modulation of LFO
FM – Frequency modulation of LFO
WV – Waveform select of LFO
EV1/EV2 - Envelope1 or Envelope2
A,D,S,R,AD,AR – Modulation of Attack, Decay,
Sustain, Release of Envelope
JOY - Joystick Bank Mix [ Disables physical Joystick mix ]
X ,Y, XY
RST - YS / NO – Push selection knob to reset ALL the
Modulation Slots
VECTOR/Q & MENU
Pushing the grey button will cycle between the
Vector/Q modes, OR the Settings Menu.
When in the Vector/Q mode, using the top row
knobs to show the Q Quick performance
controls page, use the bottom row knobs to
show the Vector Page.
VECTOR PAGE [ not available in polyphonic or multitimbral modes ]
When the module is set to a VECTOR mode the Joystick is used to
continuously control the mix between the A,B,C,D banks.
The Vector pages allow for Recording of the Joystick movement or
Joystick positions, which can later be replayed or triggered for
automated timbre changes.
There are two types of VECTOR animation, VEC1 allows the Joystick
movement to be recorded over time, VEC2 allows you to store four
Joystick vector positions, which are used to recreate a vector
movement.
VEC1
The speed of the vector for recorded and triggered playback can be
set using the bottom right knob [ 3-99 ].
The recorded position of the Joystick is represented in the centre box,
an inverse R on the left indicates recording mode.
To Record a Joystick vector movement, select the desired vector
speed [ 20 is a good starting speed ], push the bottom left knob to start
recording whilst moving the Joystick.
To playback the vector movement from a trigger source, use the
destination 'VEC' in a modulation slot, and select GATE or M1T as a
trigger source.
The speed is set by the bottom right knob on the Vector page.
Instead of triggering the replay, the vector movement can instead be
continuously animated through time from a modulation source such as
an LFO or external CV.
To do this set the destination 'VEC' in a modulation slot, and select a
modulation source [ except Gate/M1T ].
The speed value on the Vector Page DOES NOT affect the animation time.
If you need to audition the Joystick again, you can turn off the vector
animation by setting the 'VEC' modulation source to ‘--’ in the
Modulation Slots.
VEC2
The four cell boxes represent the position of four vector XY joystick
positions
Move the Joystick to a desired mix position, and push one of the
bottom row knobs to store the Vector position. Repeat for all four Cell
boxes.
Use the 1st three bottom row knobs to adjust the time-speed between
each Cell.
EG: knob 1, adjusts the time between Cell1 and Cell2, knob 2 adjusts
the time between Cell2 and Cell3, etc.
The playback of the vector animation is represented by a vertical bar,
that scrolls across the display.
To playback the vector movement from a trigger source, use the
destination 'VEC' in a modulation slot, and select GATE or M1T as a
trigger source.
The speed between each cell is set by the three bottom row knobs on
the Vector page.
Instead of triggering the replay, the vector movement can instead be
continuously animated through time from a modulation source such as
an LFO or external CV.
To do this set the destination 'VEC' in a modulation slot, and select a
modulation source [ except Gate/M1T ].
'Q' QUICK CONTROLS PERFORMANCE PAGE
This menu allows easy access to some of the creative Oscillator Bank
parameters, giving quick access and hands on control to the timbre of
the sound.
XM - Oscillator Cross modulation amount [ 0= no cross modulation,
99 = maximum ]
WP - Warp amount of the oscillator waveforms [ 0 = Sine, 40 = Saw,
99 = Pulse ]
FD – Fold amount of the oscillator waveforms [ 0= no folding ,
99 = maximum ]
DT – Control of oscillator detune amount [ Spreads out the tuning of
the Oscillators to create movement and depth ]
NB the Q Performance Controls affect ALL Oscillator Banks.
For affecting a single Bank, select the bank as a destination in a
Modulation Slot, select the destination atribute such as FD and use
the offset control to adjust the amount.
SETTINGS MENU
This menu allows for Loading and Saving of Voices, selection of
Oscillator Bank Modes modes and other settings such as Tuning and
MIDI.
Use the bottom left knob to select from the following menu settings:
LOAD – Load voice from memory. Turn the bottom RHS knob to select
the voice number, you will hear a preview of the voice. To Load the
voice, push the knob.
SAVE – Save voice to memory, turn the bottom RHS knob to select a
voice number, push the knob to save.
MODE – Allocation modes of Oscillator Banks.
VEC1 = Monophonic Voice from all Banks mixed by Joystick
or vector animation Type1
VEC2 =Monophonic Voice from all Banks mixed by Joystick
or vector animation Type2
POLY = Polyphonic mode, uses BANK A settings as the
source for four voices
MULT = Multitimbral Polyphonic mode allocates each Bank
as a separate voice [ for Expander, or MIDI ]
If using MIDI in MULT mode each voice is allocated to
consecutive MIDI channels
Eg if the MIDI channel is set to 3, then in MULT mode Bank A
is CH3, Bank B is CH4 etc.
NB In POLY or MULT mode Vector Synthesis is not available.
OUTPUT – Use the top row knobs to Pan the output of each Bank
A,B,C,D to the L or R outputs, or anywhere in between. Pushing a knob
will reset the Pan to centre [ both L & R outputs ]
NB if using only one output jack set the Output Pans to this jack only.
MIDI – Selects MIDI OFF, or MIDI channel [ 1-12 ] for MIDI input.
Push for MIDI Note ON/OFF. [ indicated by note symbol ]
NB With MIDI active, MIDI Program Change messages Load
User Voice patches automatically, use with caution ! ! !
TUNE - Sets the master tuning in semitone steps [ 12 = C3 ]
FINE - Sets the master fine tuning [ +/- 0-99 ]
ENV - Envelope mode. Select Global [ GLB ] or per Bank [ BNK ] ENV
settings
SCOP - Sets the delay time [ in seconds ] before the oscilloscope
screen save appears, also can be turned off.
XPTUNE - Fine tune control for Expander V/Oct inputs. Push the top
RHS knob to store the tuning values.
CONNECTION JACKS
V/OCT – This is the pitch CV input [ 0v-6v ] that all oscillator harmonics
are multiples of
GATE – This is the Gate input that triggers ENV1, & ENV2. It can also be
used to trigger the Vector Animation
OUT L - OUT R – These are the audio outputs of the module. Use
Output in the Settings Menu to Pan individual Banks to either output or
anywhere between the two.
M1-M4 – These are CV modulation inputs [ +/-5v, +8v on newer
modules ] which can be used via the Modulation Slots as modulation
sources for all aspects of sound, such as Cross Modulation amount [
XM ] or Wave Warp [ WP ] etc
M1[T] – Can also used as a trigger source for Vector
animation playback.
M1-M4 – Can also be used as trigger sources for ENV2, or
LFO1/LFO2 resets.
MIDI IN – This is a TRS MIDI input which can be used instead of the
V/OCT & Gate inputs to control the Vector Wave pitch and Gate.
To use MIDI and MIDI CCs, select a MIDI channel in the Settings Menu.
On the back of the module there is a micro switch to set the polarity of
the TRS MIDI toTYPE B [ default for RYK products ] or TYPE A.
On the back of the module is a 10 pin header for connection to a
Eurorack Power source using the included ribbon cable, please make
sure you align the red or white edge of the cable with the “stripe”
indicator on the PCB by the 10 pin header.
There is also a 12 pin header to connect the Vector Wave Expander
module. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONNECT ANYTHING ELSE TO THIS
If you have a Vector Wave Expander module, use the included 12 way
cable to connect it to the Vector Wave
Please make very sure you align the Red edge of the cable with
the “stripe” indicator on both the Vector Wave and teh Expander.
Failure to do so, or connecting to the wrong pin header WILL
result in damage to the Vector Wave and Expander module.
FIRMWARE UPDATES
The firmware for the Vector Wave can be updated, please check our
website for any new releases.
rykmodular.bigcartel.com/firmware-updates
Here's how to install the firmware:
Power up the module first.
On the back of the module are two micro switches, labelled “FIRM-
WARE” and “RESET”.
Push and hold the Firmware button, then press the Reset button
momentarily whilst still holding the Firmware button.
Release the Firmware button.
Plug a USB B micro cable from the module to a computer. Make sure it
is a high quality cable that supplies data, some micro USB cables only
supply power.
Connect the cable directly to your computer, not via a USB hub.
You should see a USB Disc show up on your computer named
"RPI-RP2".
Copy or drag the UF2 firmware file into the "RPI-RP2" disk.
If successful, the disk will ‘eject’ automatically, and the module will
restart with the new firmware.
RYK VECTOR WAVE
SYNTH VOICE
USER MANUAL
V1.24 FIRMWARE
VECTOR WAVE EXPANDER INSTRUCTIONS
If you have an Expander module, lucky you !
Please follow these steps for setting up and using with the Vector
Wave.
Carefully connect the Expander to the Vector Wave following the
instructions on page 13.
Do not screw the Expander module into you rack yet, you will need the
back accessible, be careful not to let any of the metal circuit board pins
touch any rack metal work. If necessary rest the module on some
paper or plastic.
Look at the back of the Expander, and you will see a micro switch at the
top end of the module, one side is labelled 0V, the other side is labelled
5V. Set the switch to 0V.
First we need to calibrate the Vector Wave to your Expander module.
Switch on your rack power to the Vector Wave, whilst holding down the
Grey button and the ENV/LFO Blue button.
Keep holding these buttons until you see the firmware revision number,
followed by 'EXP CAL' on the display.
Press the bottom right knob to start the calibration.
This is done in two stages, first the module will calibrate to 0V, which
you have already set on the back of the expander.
Next the display will indicate 5V, when you see this, quickly set the
micro switch to 5V.
When the calibration is finished 'DONE' will show on the display.
Make sure you then set the micro switch to 0V, and power off the
Vector Wave.
Now you are ready to use the Expander.
The expander is used with the multitibral MULT mode on the Vector
Wave.
Go to the Settings Menu, select MODE, and chose MULT from the
options.
Now each Bank of the Vector Wave acts as a separate synth voice,
each one controlled by a separate pair of V/OCT & Gate inputs.
Bank A is assigned to the V/OCT & GATE jacks on the Vector Wave
panel.
Banks B,C,D are assigned to the V/OCT & GATE jacks on the Expander.
You can set-up individual sounds for each Bank, and use them as
separate voices to create a multitimbral setup. Perhaps using different
sequencers or keyboards for each voice.
Each Bank has it’s own Envelope settings for ENV1 and ENV2, the
current Envelope is inidcated by the ABCD Bank LEDs.
To select a different Bank whilst in Envelope mode, simply push and
hold the Blue ENV button then press the Red Bank button.
If you would like to use the expander as a polyphonic controller, say
from a CV keyboard, then duplicate the Bank you would like to use, to all
the other Banks.
This can be achieved using the 'CPY TO' and ‘ALL’ option in the
Oscillator Menu.
Remember you can use the Output option in the Settings Menu [ see
page 12 ] to assign which Banks go to the L or R output jacks on the
Vector Wave.
Have fun !
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