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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