Shaper Y

Shaper Y

Shaper Y is Spirit’s second envelope generator (or third LFO, depending on how you look at it). In most modes, it functions like a traditional envelope, generating simple rise-and-fall shapes in response to a gate. But set it to Free, and it transforms into a free-running low-frequency oscillator, making it a handy source for cyclic modulation with variable symmetry.

Think of it as your modulation wildcard. It's simple when you want it to be, and sneakily powerful when you don’t.

Its output shape is governed by the Shape knob, which doesn’t change how long the whole envelope takes, but does tilt the balance of time spent rising versus falling. Set it low (0) for snappy attacks and long fades, or crank it high (10) for the opposite. Right in the middle, you’ll get a symmetrical shape: a perfect triangle.

The Rate knob adjusts the overall time of each envelope cycle. In envelope modes, it sets how long the whole rise-and-fall event takes. In Free mode, it controls how fast the modulation cycles, anywhere from glacial sweeps to speedy warbles.

Modes of Operation

• FREE lets Shaper Y run continuously, like an LFO that doesn’t care whether a gate is present. Good for pitch modulation or other symmetrical effects.

• RESET restarts the shape from zero every time you play a note. It always completes a full rise-and-fall cycle, even if you release the key early.

• KBD HOLD sustains the envelope’s peak as long as the key is held, only falling when the gate ends.

• RUN ignores subsequent gates until the full cycle is finished. Once triggered, it completes its motion regardless of what you do.

It's worth noting that, when you engage the SHAPE X WITH Y switch in the Mid X section, the Shape Y envelope shapes the depth of the Mod X signal. This is great for dynamically expressive vibrato.

And with SHAPER Y Wheel selected as a Source in Matrix Z, you can send this output just about anywhere: oscillator pitch, oscillator pulse width, filter cutoff, arpeggiator speed, and many other modulation destinations.

• SYNC Synchronizes Shaper Y rate to the master Tempo control (at the top of the instrument window).

• LOOP Enabling this loops Shaper Y when you hold down a key in Run or Reset mode.

Shaper Y as Audio Path Controller

Remember the Shaper Y audio path from earlier? This is where Shaper Y acts like a gatekeeper, literally. It controls the amplitude of anything routed into the Shaper Y path, making it pulse, duck, or swell depending on how you shape it.

Want to design a throbbing drone that sounds like it’s breathing? Route Osc B to the Shaper Y path, set Shaper to FREE mode, and sculpt the shape to taste. Adjust Brightness and Rate to taste to create organic motion.

Shaper Y as a Mod Source

You can also use Shaper Y as the source for MOD X or MOD Y, letting it control:

• Oscillator A or A+B pitch (weird vibrato)

• Filter U or U+L cutoff (complex sweeps)

• Oscillator A rectangular wave width modulation (RWM) for unhinged pulse-width modulation effects

• Anything else that takes a mod input

Set MOD X to Shaper Y, and suddenly you have a looping waveform that can animate your synth like a puppet on voltage-controlled strings.

Real-World Uses

1. Evolving Texture

   • FREE mode

   • Slow Rate

   • Route to filter cutoff

   • Result: a tone that never quite stays still

2. Pulsing Drone

   • SHAPER Y path only

   • KBD HOLD mode

   • Triangle wave through the Brightness filter

   • Shaper shapes the volume like a built-in tremolo, independent of your envelope

3. Note-Synced LFO

   • RESET mode

   • Route to pitch or filter

   • Every new keypress resets the modulation. Perfect for rhythmic sequences or synced warbles

4. Pseudo-Envelope FX

   • RUN mode

   • Shape with quick attack and decay

   • Route to oscillator pitch

   • One-shot “pitch blips” or dubstep-style wobbles with every note