A single oscillator routed through waveshaper, notch filter, and granulizer can produce an unlimited range of sounds in a live modular rig

Rather than using multiple oscillators for different voices, Blawan demonstrates that one oscillator processed through a layered effects chain can produce bass, lead, and textural sounds within a single performance. His chain: oscillator (square wave, sometimes sine) → UltraFold waveshaper → Maurus filter (8 notch filters that can morph, producing flange-like coloration) → granulizer (grain shifter). At each stage the oscillator’s character transforms radically: the waveshaper adds harmonic complexity; the morphing notch filter adds spectral movement; the granulizer adds time-domain texture and can produce completely different timbres. The Rings resonator is used separately to add character to the 808 kick. The key insight: effects diversity replaces oscillator count.

Examples

One oscillator → UltraFold (wave shaper) → Maurus (8-notch filter, morph control) → grain shift (granulizer) → loop → delay → reverb. ‘That little chain there can allow me to turn that oscillate into anything.’ Alternate version: sine wave + waveshaper only.

Assessment

Map out the signal flow from oscillator to looper in Blawan’s rig, noting what each module adds. What would a granulizer add to a sine wave that a waveshaper would not? Design your own minimal chain (4 stages maximum) that could produce at least three distinct timbres from one oscillator.