Make Noise MultiWAVE: Eightfold Polyphony for the Modular Frontier

The MultiWAVE is introduced as the oscillator core of Make Noise’s New Universal Synthesizer System (NUSS), but it’s equally at home in any Eurorack modular setup. With eight independent channels, each featuring dual wavetable oscillators, MultiWAVE is designed to generate a multitude of audio signals from a single, centralised set of controls. This approach embodies the Make Noise philosophy: rather than simply replicating familiar sounds, the aim is to create new musical possibilities that stretch beyond the known.

MultiWAVE’s eight outputs are normalled to the QXG module’s inputs, while integration with PoliMATHS provides a powerful control structure. The system is built so that every channel’s output remains available for patching elsewhere, encouraging creative rerouting and complex voice structures. In short, MultiWAVE is less about static voices and more about dynamic, evolving polyphony.

MultiWAVE’s advanced functions make it a playground for polyphonic sequencing and chordal experimentation. Modulation dissemination allows a single sequencer channel to activate and distribute parameter values across all eight voices, effectively turning monophonic input into polyphonic output. This is particularly potent for building layered sequences or harmonies from minimal external control.

The accumulate function adds another layer of control, letting users delay the effect of activations until a gate is received—ideal for synchronised chord changes or dramatic shifts in timbre. When combined with spread, these features allow for intricate, evolving sound structures that respond to both internal and external modulation. The result is a module that doesn’t just offer polyphony, but invites you to sculpt it in real time.

MultiWAVE isn’t limited to its factory waveforms; users can load their own wavetables in the WaveEdit format, filling up to eight banks of eight wavetables each. This opens the door to highly personalised timbres, whether you’re after classic analog shapes, Make Noise’s own variable waves, or entirely new digital concoctions. The process is straightforward: wavetables are loaded in standard wave format, and the video points to WaveEdit as a recommended tool for creation.

Beyond custom wavetables, page two of the module’s interface unlocks additional global functions. Here, users can enable alternate output schemes—such as grouping all odd or even channels together—or activate input quantisation for all pitch inputs. These options make MultiWAVE adaptable to a variety of modular setups, whether you’re building a polyphonic monster or slotting it into a more traditional rack. The flexibility on offer ensures that MultiWAVE can evolve alongside your system and your sonic ambitions.