Behringer WAVES: A Tidal Modulator for the Modern Eurorack

Behringer opens their presentation by challenging the notion that function generators are the wallflowers of the modular world. While filters and VCOs often steal the limelight, WAVES is positioned as something far more adventurous—a digital tidal modulator that reimagines the humble looping AD envelope. The emphasis is on creative modulation, with the promise of expanding sound design horizons beyond the usual suspects.

The module is introduced as an ocean of possibilities, hinting at its flexibility and depth. Rather than sticking to conventional envelope duties, WAVES is pitched as a tool for those who want to push boundaries, whether that’s through intricate LFOs, evolving envelopes, or even as a multi-wave VCO. The tone is set for a module that aims to be both versatile and inspiring in the rack.

WAVES draws direct inspiration from Mutable Instruments Tides, a module well-known for its blend of digital precision and organic modulation. Behringer makes it clear that WAVES is not just a clone, but a reimagining that leverages the core concepts of Tides—namely, the ability to generate precisely crafted LFOs and envelopes, as well as to serve as a multi-wave shape VCO.

The video highlights the module’s three generator modes—AD, AR, and looping—alongside four output modes that cover shapes, amplitudes, timings, and frequencies. This multi-functionality is at the heart of WAVES’ appeal, offering users a palette of modulation and audio-rate options that can be tailored to a wide range of patching scenarios.

At the core of WAVES are three generator modes: AD (attack/decay), AR (attack/release), and looping. These modes allow users to switch between envelope and cyclic behaviours, making the module equally at home as a modulation source or as a VCO. The four output modes, each with a dedicated shift control, further expand the module’s versatility, enabling everything from classic envelope shapes to complex, phase-shifted outputs.

Behringer underscores how these modes interact, with frequency ranges spanning from slow LFOs up to audio rates. The module’s architecture encourages experimentation, whether you’re after snappy envelopes, evolving LFOs, or harmonically rich oscillations. The combination of generator and output modes is designed to foster complex signal shaping and modulation layering within a single module.

The four output modes are where WAVES truly reveals its depth. In the default mode, each output delivers a different wave shape—ranging from the fully processed main signal to raw triangle, square, and pulse waves. This allows for classic VCO duties as well as layered modulation. The shift control acts as an attenuverter or crossfader, depending on the mode, giving further control over the output mix.

Other output modes introduce mixer-like crossfading, phase-shifted outputs, and frequency ratio manipulation. These features enable everything from polyrhythmic LFOs to stacked harmonic chords, depending on the frequency range and patching context. The video demonstrates how mixing outputs or using the module at different rates can yield everything from chunky basses to evolving soundscapes, underscoring WAVES’ potential as both a modulation powerhouse and a sound source.