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Documentation
App Version 1.3
Please note that CAVES is currently a standalone synth app and not currently AUv3 compatible. I hope
to add AUv3 support in the future, but for now is designed to be used as a standalone application.
Signal Routing
CAVES uses a straightforward signal path designed for rich, evolving drone sounds:
OSC1 (PWM) + OSC2 (FM)
↓
FILTERS (LP + LADDER with routing)
↓
DISTORTION
↓
DELAY
↓
REVERB
↓
MASTER VOLUME → OUTPUT
Modulation sources (LFOs and Envelopes) can be routed to various parameters throughout the signal chain for dynamic, evolving sounds.
VCO (Oscillators)
Oscillator 1 (PWM)
FREQ:
Oscillator frequency (40-440 Hz)
LEVEL:
Output amplitude (0-100%)
WIDTH:
Pulse width for harmonic content
Oscillator 2 (FM)
FREQ:
Base frequency (40-440 Hz)
LEVEL:
Output amplitude (0-100%)
FM:
FM modulation depth (0-10)
RATIO:
Carrier multiplier for harmonic ratios
Master Controls
MASTER:
Overall output level (post-effects)
VCF (Filters)
Filter 1 (Low Pass)
CUTOFF:
Filter cutoff frequency
RES:
Filter resonance amount
Filter 2 (Ladder)
CUTOFF:
Ladder filter cutoff frequency
RES:
Ladder filter resonance amount
Routing
OSC → FILTER:
Route oscillators to filter inputs
ENV (Envelopes)
Envelope 1 & 2
ATTACK:
Rise time to peak level
DECAY:
Fall time to sustain level
SUSTAIN:
Held level during note
RELEASE:
Fall time to zero after release
TARGET:
Parameter to modulate
MODE:
One-shot or looping operation
SYNC:
Sync to master clock divisions
LFO (Low Frequency Oscillators)
LFO 1 & 2
RATE:
LFO speed (0.01-10 Hz)
DEPTH:
Modulation amount
WAVEFORM:
Sine, triangle, square, sawtooth, random
TARGET:
Parameter to modulate
ON/OFF:
Enable/disable LFO
SLOW/FAST:
Rate range (very slow or normal speeds)
FX (Effects)
Distortion
DRIVE:
Distortion intensity
WET:
Dry/wet balance
Delay
TIME:
Delay time (up to 2 seconds) - set to minimum for no delay
FEEDBACK:
Delay regeneration amount - set to zero for no delay
Reverb
WETNESS:
Reverb amount
ENABLE:
Turn reverb on/off
Clock
Master Clock
BPM:
Tempo for envelope sync (60-200 BPM)
START/STOP:
Transport controls
RESET:
Reset all parameters for current patch
Patch Management
CAVES includes a complete patch system for saving and organizing your sounds. Patches save all oscillator & filter settings, modulation, effects, and clock settings.
Saving Patches
SAVE BUTTON:
Tap the save icon (top right, next to settings) to save current sound
PATCH NAME:
Enter custom name or use the auto name generator
AUTO NAME:
Automagically generate names for your patches
Loading Patches
PATCH BROWSER:
Tap the current patch name to browse saved patches
TAP TO LOAD:
Simply tap any patch name to load it immediately
Deleting Patches
SWIPE TO DELETE:
Swipe left on any user patch to delete it
Patch Sharing
SHARE CURRENT PATCH:
Email patches to the developer from Settings > Community
PATCH FILES:
Patches are sent as .drone files with metadata