Hikari Instruments WAVES
Analog VCO with four-stage Serge wavefolding and PLL octaves
10 HP Eurorack module
WAVES is an analog VCO module by Hikari Instruments featuring a Serge-style serial wavefolding circuit with up to four stages, capable of producing everything from clean sine waves to harmonically dense, aggressive tones. It outputs sine, triangle, square, and sawtooth waveforms simultaneously, and includes PLL-based /2, x2, and x4 octave outputs with a distinctive, characterful quality. SYNC, linear FM, and 1V/Oct inputs make it a versatile centerpiece for melodic, experimental, and textural synthesis.
Features
- Analog VCO with simultaneous sine, triangle, square, and sawtooth outputs at 10Vpp
- Serge-style serial wavefolding circuit switchable between 2 and 4 stages
- SHAPE CV input for voltage-controlled waveshaping
- PWM slider for pulse width control with PW CV input
- PLL-based /2, x2, and x4 octave outputs with distinctive character
- Hard sync input for oscillator synchronization to external sources
- Linear FM input (AC-coupled) with depth slider
- FINE slider for precise frequency trimming
- 1V/Oct pitch input for keyboard or sequencer control
- 10 HP, shallow 27mm depth
Controls & Jacks (19)
- SYNC In — Synchronizes the oscillator to an external oscillator. Oscillation is reset according to the cycle of the input signal.
- 1V/Oct Input — Input for pitch control via V/Oct standard.
- FREQ — Coarsely adjusts the oscillator output frequency.
- Triangle Wave Output — Outputs a triangle wave (10Vpp).
- SHAPE Output — Outputs the waveform processed through the waveshaper (10Vpp).
- PW CV In — CV control input for PWM slider.
- /2 Output — Outputs a square wave one octave below with distinctive character. Generated via PLL circuit; may lag during rapid frequency changes.
- ×2 Output — Outputs a square wave one octave above with distinctive character. Generated via PLL circuit; may lag during rapid frequency changes.
- Sine Wave Output — Outputs a sine wave (10Vpp).
- Square Wave Output — Outputs a square wave (10Vpp).
- FM In — Input for modulating the oscillator frequency with linear FM (AC-coupled).
- Sawtooth Wave Output — Outputs a sawtooth wave (10Vpp).
- SHAPE CV In — CV control input for SHAPE slider.
- ×4 Output — Outputs a square wave two octaves above with distinctive character. Generated via PLL circuit; may lag during rapid frequency changes.
- SHAPE — Adjusts the amount of waveshaping. At 2ST starts from sine wave; at 4ST starts from slightly shaped waveform.
- SHAPE Mode — Selects whether the waveshaper circuit passes through 2 stages (2ST) or 4 stages (4ST) of wavefolding.
- PWM — Adjusts the pulse width of the square wave. Center position marked 'C'.
- FM — Adjusts the modulation depth of the FM input.
- FINE — Finely adjusts the oscillator output frequency.
How-To Guides
- Basic VCO Pitch and Tune
- Smooth Wavefolder Sweep
- Aggressive Four-Stage Wavefolding
- Envelope-Animated Wavefolding
- PLL Octave Chord Cluster
- Hard Sync Harmonic Sculpting
- Linear FM Metallic Bell Tones
- LFO-Animated Pulse Width Modulation
- PLL Glitch Percussion
- Full-Spectrum Drone
Explore the interactive WAVES panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.
