30 years later

[Keith Sterling]

>  >> isn't
>  >> there anything else that can be done to get some 'alternative
>  waveforms'
>  >> (other than using ADSR and LFO modulation)? i mean, i'd much rather
>  use the
>  >> 4 waves than sampled waves, but isn't there anything that's been done
>  to get
>  >> some more timbral variation lately?

Check out the old Moog Multimoog.  It has two unconventional analog oscillators
both of which offer different ways to modulate the waveforms.  Using knobs on the
front panel one can vary the waveshape linearly in two different ways, in osc 2's
case.  Unfortunately the timbe modulation isn't under voltage control so it can't 
easily be enveloped.  Also, I have a module from Serge called the wave multiplier,
which allows voltage controlled timbe modulation.  This module is unbelievable,
and its <$400.  Lastly, try taking the outputs of two different hard or soft synced 
oscillators, feeding their different outputs (saw, tri, pulse) to the x and y inputs of
a ring modulator.  Since the oscillators are synced you only get sum and difference
frequencies of the partials in each oscillator.  Some very cool sounds this way.
Actually come to think of it there are so many different ways to screw up the wave-
forms in a modular that I don't know why anyone would bother listening to the
raw oscillator output...

keith.