The Wobbler - Formant Module in Bitwig (Patreon)

Hey viewers, today we're diving deep into a module called Formant, specifically in Bitwig Studio. You may have wondered what this module does and how to apply it to your patches. Well, let's unravel the mystery.

What Does Formant Do?

The Formant module amplifies the incoming signal around a level of 0.5. To illustrate, we used a phase signal and an oscilloscope. When you apply Formant to a ramp signal, you can visibly see the shape of the ramp change. Everything above the level of 0.5 gets amplified positively, and everything below 0.5 gets de-amplified. Essentially, it modifies the shape of the phase signals, which is why it's categorized under "Phase" in Bitwig Studio.

Use Cases

1. Wavetable Manipulation: If you apply Formant between a phase generator (like a phaser) and a sine oscillator, it changes the face signal, allowing the wavetable lookup module to generate different waveforms. This can be especially useful for creating sounds with a vocal quality, like trumpet or voice-like timbres.
2. Pulse Width Modulation: Swapping the sine oscillator for a pulse oscillator, you'll find that you can effectively change the pulse width, similar to pulse-width modulation.
3. Different Oscillators: The module is not limited to sine oscillators. It works well with triangles, saws, and other shapes, providing a wide palette of timbral possibilities.
4. Wobble Basses: For those interested in drum and bass like me, the Formant module is excellent for creating wobble bass sounds.
5. Wave Shaping and Clipping: By converting an audio signal into a phase range (0 to 1), applying Formant, and then converting it back, you can use it as an unconventional wave shaper or clipper, offering a unique flavor of overtones.

Final Thoughts

The Formant module is versatile and can be applied in a variety of musical contexts. Whether you're looking to sculpt new waveforms, create wobble basses, or find new ways to shape your audio, this module has something for you.