Waverley XL

Please note: Waverley XL has been designed as an AUv3 (Audio Unit v3) instrument and does not run as a standalone app.  It needs to be used inside an AUv3 compatible host such as Apple’s GarageBand or AUM shown in the screenshots.

What is Waverley XL?

Waverley XL is a sample-based instrument, or “ROMPLER”.  It is not a synthesiser that allows you to create your own instruments.  Instead, the instruments have already been created.  You also have some additional sound-shaping options accessible via 10 parameters.

Where did the sounds come from?

The instruments have been created using my favourite virtual-analog hardware synthesiser with additional processing using its own effects engine. I designed all the patches from scratch, specifically for Waverley XL.

Is this the same as MU Waverley in moodunits?

Not exactly.  Waverley XL uses similar sampling technology under the hood but has been developed in response to requests and suggestions from moodunits customers.  The main difference is really the instruments themselves.  Instruments for moodunits are designed to take up as little space and memory as possible and be relatively light on CPU.  Waverley XL is “Xtra Large” in both name and nature!  While this means Waverley XL takes up considerably more storage space, it also means that instruments can be more complex, evolving and also more interesting to play.

A big design goal for XL was that the playing experience should “feel” and sound more like real instruments when played with a velocity sensitive keyboard and sustain pedal.

Instruments

There are currently 50 different instruments, each with 4 sets of parameter presets giving 200 patches in total.  Instruments are categorised as “sustained”, “keyed”, “lead” or “departures” and this is shown in the central display panel.  Sustained instruments will sustain until you release a key, whereas keyed instruments have a natural, more piano-like decay.  Lead sounds are monophonic with a little legato glide and have less dynamic range.  Departures are no holds barred sound design extravaganzas designed to take you on an atmospheric sonic journey!

There are also a selection of 50 “components” taken from 25 of the main instruments for your own sound design experiments (*)

Parameters

Waverley XL has ten parameters that can be used for additional sound-shaping.  The AMP envelope and FILTER in particular can be used to significantly change the character of an instrument.  If you’re familiar with traditional synthesisers, these parameters should be immediately recognisable.

Technical specifications

• 50 individual high quality multi-sampled instruments designed specifically for Waverley XL
• 50 additional "components" from the main instruments for sound design experiments (*)
• 16 note polyphony (except lead sounds which are monophonic)
• Note range C0 - C6 (Apple standard C3 = middle C)
• Velocity-sensitive timbre changes with 30dB dynamic range (15dB for lead sounds)
• Pitch bend range +/- two semitones (a whole note)
• Modulation wheel is mapped to filter cut-off (note this will override filter envelope and vice versa)
• Lead sounds have a fixed 100ms glide accessible via legato playing

(*) Please note to mix and match components, you need to create multiple instances of Waverley XL in your AU host.  This is described in more detail in the user guide accessible from the main Waverley XL app.

Version 1.2.0 release notes

• 10 new "departures" instruments bringing the total to 50! • 50 sound design "components" taken from 25 of the main instruments Please take a few minutes to read the user guide (accessible from the main Waverley XL app) which describes the idea behind "components" in more detail. Thanks as always for the great feedback and encouragement received so far - it really is appreciated. And, if you can spare the time to leave a review or a rating, that would be great. Many thanks, -Rob