MAKEN0ISE: Oscillators as Modulators – Phase Shaving for the Adventurous Patchhead

The video takes a refreshing detour from the usual practice of summing slightly detuned oscillators for a thicker sound. Instead, the focus here is on using oscillators as modulators for each other, a move that immediately opens up a world of phase-based sonic intrigue. Rather than simply blending their outputs, the patcher explores what happens when the periodic phase drifts between oscillators are allowed to interact more directly.

This approach highlights the unique textures that emerge when oscillators are patched to influence one another, rather than just reinforcing the fundamental tone. The result is a soundscape where phase relationships become more pronounced, and the moments when oscillators drift out of phase are thrown into sharp relief. It’s a subtle but powerful shift in patching philosophy, inviting the listener to focus on the interplay between signals rather than their sum.

The patching workflow showcased here is a playground for anyone interested in complex modulation. Frequency modulation is introduced as a way to further enrich the interaction between oscillators, with the STO’s sine wave modulating the XPO and the results being filtered and monitored through the DXG. The fine-tune control on the STO is used to dial in the precise degree of detuning, effectively controlling the tempo of the phase shifts and the rhythmic feel of the resulting timbral changes.

Additional modulation sources, such as a channel from Maths, are brought in to add yet another layer of rhythmic and timbral variation. By patching Maths into the frequency input of the filter, the patcher demonstrates how even more extreme modulation can be achieved, with the wave shape of the modulator (in this case, a sawtooth) imparting its own character to the phase shifts. Feedback is also introduced by routing the filter’s output back into the oscillator’s FM input, creating a feedback loop that further intensifies the complexity and unpredictability of the patch. The result is a rich, evolving texture where every small tweak yields a new sonic surprise.

The video closes by underscoring just how sensitive this style of patching is to small adjustments. Even the slightest nudge of a tuning knob or modulation depth can send the sound into dramatically different territory—sometimes smooth and harmonic, sometimes wild and furry. This sensitivity demands a gentle touch and a keen ear, rewarding those who pay close attention to the interplay of frequencies. It’s a reminder that in modular synthesis, the difference between chaos and beauty often lies in the subtlest of moves.