Phase Modulator vs RocketVerb

PHASE MODULATOR Phase modulation perturbs the running phase of a carrier oscillator with a modulating signal. Sweeping the phase back and forth generates a series of sidebands above and below the carrier, spaced by the modulator frequency, whose number and strength grow with the Index. This is the same technique behind classic FM synthesis: small index values add a little harmonic shimmer; large values produce dense, clangorous, often inharmonic spectra. The carrier you hear is always an internal oscillator. What changes between modes is where its phase modulation comes from. ------ CONTROLS: CAR FREQ Frequency of the carrier oscillator, 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This is the audible tone in both modes. CAR AMP Level of the carrier oscillator before the Output gain. MOD FREQ Frequency of the internal modulator oscillator, 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Active in Osc + Osc only. The carrier-to-modulator frequency ratio sets the harmonic character: integer ratios give harmonic, pitched tones; non-integer ratios give bells and metallic, inharmonic results. In Input + Osc the modulator comes from your audio instead, so this control is inactive. MOD AMP Level of the modulation source before it reaches the phase. Together with Index it sets how far the carrier phase is pushed; think of it as a trim ahead of the Index multiplier. INDEX Modulation index, 0 to 10. The headline control: peak phase deviation in radians equals Index times the modulation signal. At 0 the carrier passes clean; raising it brings in progressively more sidebands and brightness. OUTPUT Makeup gain after the effect, -24 dB to +36 dB. No limiter follows this stage, so watch your meters when boosting. WAVEFORM Carrier oscillator shape: Sine, Saw, Triangle, or Square. Sine is the classic FM voice. The richer shapes already contain harmonics, so phase modulating them produces denser spectra and reacts more aggressively to Index. MOD WAVE Modulator oscillator shape (Osc + Osc mode only): Sine, Saw, Triangle, or Square. Changes the harmonic character of the modulation itself. In Input + Osc mode the modulation comes from your audio, so this picker is inactive. FOLLOW Input + Osc only. With Follow On (the default) the carrier tracks the amplitude of your incoming audio: it speaks only while signal is present and falls silent when the input does, so the plugin behaves like an effect rather than a constant tone. With Follow Off the carrier runs continuously at its set level regardless of input, which suits drones and sustained textures. In Osc + Osc there is no input to follow, so this control is inactive. ----- MODES: OSC + OSC Both carrier and modulator are internal oscillators, set by Car Freq and Mod Freq. Classic two-operator FM with no input required, good for bells, electric pianos, and metallic drones. INPUT + OSC Your track's audio becomes the modulation source, perturbing the phase of the internal carrier oscillator. Note that what you hear is the carrier shaped by your audio, not the audio itself passed through; the input controls the timbre rather than being processed in place. Mod Freq does not apply in this mode. This is the default mode. ------ A NOTE ON ALIASING Phase modulation can scatter energy well above Nyquist, so the effect runs internally at four times the host sample rate and filters on the way back down. At extreme Index settings with the saw or square carrier some residual aliasing can remain; lower the Index or the carrier frequency if you hear gritty, detuned overtones.

RocketVerb is a creative algorithmic reverb for iPhone and iPad, designed to transform instruments, vocals and recordings into spaces that move, bloom and evolve. Its character was shaped through the study of public space audio, planetary recordings and astronomical data sonifications. Their spectral movement, density and texture were translated into 38 internal profiles. RocketVerb does not replay those recordings as samples or fixed impulse responses. Every reverb tail is synthesized in real time. SHAPE YOUR SPACE Use five focused controls to build the foundation of the reverb: - Pre separates the original sound from the reverb bloom. - Density moves from open reflections to smooth clouds. - Length controls the duration of the tail. - Size changes the perceived scale of the environment. - Shape moves between tight, blooming and suspended responses. MOVE THROUGH THE GALAXY The interactive Galaxy cursor modifies distance, brightness, motion, scatter and the balance between early reflections and the tail with a single two-dimensional gesture. SIX CREATIVE EFFECTS - Radiation adds energy, mass and charged texture. - Orbit introduces stereo movement and subtle pitch drift. - Filter shapes the tonal range of the processed signal. - Granular Cloud transforms audio into layered, evolving slices. - Comet Trails creates rhythmic and atmospheric delay repetitions. - Dust introduces organic noise, texture and movement. Granular Cloud and Comet Trails include interactive 8-step patterns and can process either the direct input or the reverb signal. INFINITE FREEZE Capture the current atmosphere and keep it circulating indefinitely. Release Freeze to return smoothly to the live reverb tail. 144 FACTORY PRESETS Explore eight categories covering practical mix spaces, cinematic environments, orbital motion, granular textures, dusty planetary colors and deep ambient tails. Save your own presets directly from the app. AUv3 AND STANDALONE Use RocketVerb as an AUv3 effect in compatible hosts such as GarageBand, Logic Pro for iPad, AUM and Cubasis, or run it as a standalone app with a microphone or connected audio interface. SOURCE DISCLOSURE Some public NASA audio and sonification material was used as source material during development. This factual disclosure does not imply NASA review, approval, sponsorship, endorsement or affiliation. RocketVerb is an independent ZAK Sound product. The original recordings are not replayed by the app.