There are six Control Waves that govern the behavior of a single Drum Voice. They are the basis of the theory of Different Drummer which comes out of Holistic Tonality Theory and derives from other Techné Media software such as Cyclophone and HyperChord. These Control Waves are listed to the right.

All waves are governed by 12 Parameters which shape the waveform:

• Beat Value: How often untied notes will try to play.
• CPM/MPC: Cycles per Measure or Measures per Cycle which in mathematical terms is akin to Wavelength. Since this wavelength is expressed relative to a fixed musical unit of one measure, it really controls the Frequency of the Fundamental wave. The Fundamental wave is the main wave and all the other adjustments are related to this "Carrier Wave." As wavelengths get longer than one measure, the label switches to Measures per Cycle to indicate a longer period. PINCH in the Wave Display area to change the CPM value or use the CPM slider.

• Phase: This determines where in the wave's cycle it starts. Use a single finger swipe in the Wave Area or use the Phase Slider to adjust.
• Shape: Determines if wave is a smooth sine wave or abrupt square wave.
• ƒ/2: this determines the amplitude of a half-frequency wave that is added to the fundamental CPM wave.
• ƒ: this determines the amplitude of the Fundamental wave that at the current CPM.
• ƒ2: this determines the amplitude of a two-times-frequency wave that is added to the fundamental CPM wave.
• ƒ3: this determines the amplitude of a three-times-frequency wave that is added to the fundamental CPM wave.
• ƒ4: this determines the amplitude of a four-times-frequency wave that is added to the fundamental CPM wave.
• ƒ5: this determines the amplitude of a five-times-frequency wave that is added to the fundamental CPM wave.
• ƒ6: this determines the amplitude of a six-times-frequency wave that is added to the fundamental CPM wave.
• Y-Position: this shifts the wave up and down.

NOTE WAVE

To the right is an example of a simple 2-cycle per measure wave where only the Fundamental Wave is given some amplitude. By adjusting other sliders, the wave form can become more complex and less predictable, though it always creates a repeating pattern, making it suitable for drums.

A dashed line indicates there is a rest wave in effect that is "eating away" at the note wave based on separate parameters. To control the rests, switch to the Rest Wave.

To produce a plain drum that doesn't vary in pitch, simply flatten the wave by moving all the ƒ sliders to zero.

If you do give the note wave any amplitude, it will start to apply new pitches to your drum according to the currently selected musical scale which is selected from the Scale List. Global indicates that all waves should play in the same scale.

In this panel, you can also assign different Sounds to the Wave Tracks or add your own samples to use.

REST WAVE

Controlling the rest wave is identical to the note wave: CPM, Phase, various amplitudes and position. However, in this case the wave has a different meaning and wherever it touches or goes above the midline, it carves a rest into the drums. You can use your fingers directly on the wave to position it or use the sliders. Ajusting the rest wave only affects the gaps in the main note wave but have no other effect on that wave.

TIE WAVE

The Tie Wave works similarly to the Rest Wave except in this case, wherever the wave goes above the midline, it Unties the notes (brighter). So wherever the dashed line appears darker, it is tied. Where it is brighter it is untied (more active). When it is tied, if two notes are the same in a row, it won't strike the second note but will sustain it like a musical tie does. If it is untied, of course it will strike a new note whenever it encounters one.

This can be very much effected by the Beat Value Slider next to the wave selector because that determines how often it tries to play a new note.

DYNAMICS WAVE

The Dynamics Wave simply causes the notes to be played louder or softer according to the contours of the wave (makes the wave thicker or thinner). By creating interesting shapes in the dynamics you can create a very human feel and when combined, all four waves produce an astounding variety.

The combined effect of above four musical waves is shown in the drawing of the wave as follows in the Color of the selected wave:

Notes: the Y-position
Rests: the Gaps in the dash
Ties: the Brightness
Dynamics: the Thickness

PANNING WAVE

The Panning Wave works similarly to the other waves except it controls the stereo positioning of drum notes dynamically. You can use it subtly or in a radical manner making drums jump around in interesting ways.

BEAT WAVE

The Beat Wave modifies the underlying beat value for the given track, causing it to speed up and slow down in crystal clear time intervals, assuring orderly music. There are 4 styles of Beat Wave:

A: Will use 2x and 4x current beat value depending on amplitude or when below zero will use 1x

B: Same as A but with 1x, 1.5x and 2x

C: Same as A except negative values are also used to change speeds by 1x, 2x and 4x.

D: Same as C but uses 1x, 1.5x and 2x

Tapping this button will randomize all the waves (Note, Rest, Tie, Dynamics, Panning and Beat depending on your Automation Settings) for the currently selected Voice(s)

Tapping this button will Randomize only the current wave type for the current voice.