F_SLICEZ

Overview
F_SLICEZ is a waveform recombination oscillator that generates complex, animated timbres by slicing and reassembling two primary oscillators named POS and NEG. Instead of acting as a traditional mixer or crossfader, F_SLICEZ treats POS and NEG as waveform regions that are reorganized in time. A third internal oscillator, called CUT, does not produce sound itself but defines when, where, and how these regions are selected, blended, or hard-switched. This makes F_SLICEZ equally suitable for smooth morphing tones, sharp digital edges, rhythmic structures, and generative sound design.

Core Concept
POS and NEG are full-featured audio oscillators with independent tuning, waveform composition, and phase offsets. Their signals are reshaped so that POS occupies the positive domain of the waveform, while NEG occupies the negative domain. The CUT oscillator acts as a temporal ruler: it divides time into continuous or discrete regions and determines which oscillator is active in each region. As a result, the sound of F_SLICEZ is defined not only by pitch and waveform, but also by temporal structure and segmentation.

Modes of Operation
F_SLICEZ offers three operating modes.
In Mode 0 (Continuous), CUT runs freely and continuously compares its phase against the Slice value. Depending on this comparison, POS or NEG is selected or blended. When Edge is set to soft, transitions are smoothly interpolated using the Width parameter; when set to hard, transitions are abrupt and produce strong harmonic content.
In Mode 1 (Segment), each CUT cycle is divided into a fixed number of segments. Each segment selects POS or NEG according to the chosen pattern. In this mode, Slice becomes a structural control: it can shift the pattern index, introduce a deterministic bias toward POS or NEG, and morph between them within each segment.
In Mode 2 (Clocked), segment advancement is driven by an external or assigned clock signal, turning F_SLICEZ into a rhythmic recombination engine suitable for gates, pulses, and stepped modulation.

Slice, Width and Threshold
The Slice control is central to the behavior of F_SLICEZ. In Mode 0 it defines the duty point at which CUT switches between POS and NEG. In Mode 1 it influences how patterns are interpreted: shifting segment indices, biasing selection toward one oscillator, and enabling morphing between POS and NEG within each segment. In Mode 2 it can be used to bias pattern selection across clock steps. The Width control defines the transition region between POS and NEG. At low values, transitions are sharp and spectral content becomes rich and aggressive. At higher values, transitions become wide and smooth, producing softer and more organic timbres. Internally, Width also defines a threshold region that shapes how POS and NEG are gated or blended.

Patterns
Patterns determine how POS and NEG are distributed across segments in Modes 1 and 2. Available patterns include alternating, block-based splits, mirrored structures, deterministic slice-based biasing, ramps, center or edge emphasis, Euclidean-style distributions, and fully randomized spice maps. Pattern selection is discrete but can be modulated, allowing controlled or chaotic recombination over time. Random patterns are stable until re-randomized, ensuring repeatable results when desired.

Tuning and Tracking
POS and NEG share a common pitch reference derived from the main tuning controls and V/Oct input. Each oscillator also provides its own detune control for precise interval shaping or extreme divergence. Tracking switches allow POS and NEG to ignore external pitch input and run purely from the internal tuning controls. The CUT oscillator follows pitch by default, but its rate can be multiplied or divided using modulation, enabling audio-rate slicing, subharmonic chopping, or complex inharmonic motion.

Modulation Matrix
F_SLICEZ provides multiple freely assignable modulation inputs. Each input can be routed to a destination such as Slice, Width, Threshold, POS or NEG detune, POS or NEG phase, Pattern, Mode, Segment count, Edge type, CUT rate, POS–NEG timbre balance, Clock stepping, or FM in octaves. All modulation inputs accept both CV and audio-rate signals, enabling subtle motion, rhythmic articulation, or extreme audio-rate recombination. A None destination is provided to explicitly disable unused modulation slots.

Outputs
The main output carries the recombined waveform resulting from the interaction of POS, NEG, and CUT. Dedicated outputs for POS and NEG provide the shaped source signals individually, allowing external processing or feedback patching. A CUT output exposes the internal selection signal, making it possible to synchronize or drive other modules with the same temporal structure used internally.

Example Presets
Soft Morph Pad:
Set Mode to 0, Edge to soft, Width to a high value, and use gentle detuning between POS and NEG. Modulate Slice slowly with an LFO for evolving, pad-like textures.
Digital Shards:
Set Mode to 0, Edge to hard, Width to minimum, and apply strong detune to NEG. Increase CUT rate for aggressive, aliased timbres.
Rhythmic Slicer:
Set Mode to 2, select a patterned distribution, and drive Clock with a steady pulse. Modulate Pattern or Slice slowly to evolve rhythmic structure over time.
Generative Recombiner:
Use Mode 1 with a random spice pattern, moderate Width, and slow modulation of Slice and CUT rate for continuously evolving, semi-deterministic textures.

Saving and Recall
All parameters, including oscillator settings, mode, pattern selection, modulation routing, and internal random states, are stored in presets. Reloading a preset restores the complete temporal and spectral structure of the module.

Creative Tips
Use audio-rate modulation of CUT rate or Slice for complex spectral effects. Feed the CUT output into other modules to synchronize external processes with F_SLICEZ’s internal structure. Experiment with extreme Width values in combination with hard Edge settings to move between noise-like spectra and precise digital articulation. Treat F_SLICEZ not only as an oscillator, but as a time-domain processor that reshapes how waveforms unfold.

Panel Layout and Controls (Row-based Overview)
The interface of F_SLICEZ is organized in clear horizontal rows, each representing a functional layer of the synthesis engine. This structure mirrors the internal signal flow and makes the module intuitive to read and perform with.

CUT Row (Scissor Oscillator)
The CUT row defines the structural slicing oscillator that determines how POS and NEG are combined over time. TUNE sets the coarse pitch of the CUT oscillator in semitones. FINE applies subtle pitch adjustments for precise alignment or slow beating effects. OCT shifts the CUT oscillator in full octave steps; in Mode 0 the zero position is calibrated to C2 to match other RFM oscillators. SLICE controls the bias and distribution of POS versus NEG: in Mode 0 it defines the duty cycle of the continuous switch, in Mode 1 it shifts pattern indices, biases segment selection, and enables morphing between POS and NEG per segment, and in Mode 2 it biases clocked segment behavior. WIDTH controls the transition width between POS and NEG; low values produce sharp, digital edges, while higher values create smooth, organic crossfades. WIDTH affects all modes and also defines click-free smoothing in segmented and clocked operation.

POS Row (Positive Oscillator)
The POS row defines the upper-half waveform contributor. The Track switch determines whether POS follows the external V/Oct input or ignores it and uses only the internal tuning controls. TUNE sets the POS oscillator pitch offset in semitones relative to the base pitch, allowing harmonic intervals or independent detuning. SIN, TRI, and SAW control the internal waveform mix of the POS oscillator, enabling continuous morphing between sine, triangle, and saw shapes. PHASE offsets the oscillator phase in cycles, allowing phase-based animation, motion, and spectral variation when combined with NEG.

NEG Row (Negative Oscillator)
The NEG row mirrors the POS row but defines the lower-half waveform contributor. The Track switch controls whether NEG follows the external V/Oct input or runs independently. TUNE sets the NEG oscillator pitch offset in semitones. SIN, TRI, and SAW define the internal waveform balance of the NEG oscillator. PHASE offsets the NEG oscillator phase, enabling asymmetry, stereo-like motion, and complex recombination behavior when spliced against POS.

Structure Row
This row defines how CUT, POS, and NEG are structurally combined. MODE selects the operating mode: Mode 0 performs continuous recombination driven by the CUT oscillator, Mode 1 performs free-running segmented splicing, and Mode 2 performs clocked segmented splicing. EDGE switches between soft and hard transitions; soft mode uses WIDTH for smooth interpolation, while hard mode produces abrupt switching with strong harmonic content. SEGMNT selects the number of segments per CUT cycle (8 or 16) used in segmented modes, directly affecting rhythmic density and spectral complexity. PATTRN selects one of twelve distribution patterns that determine how POS and NEG are assigned across segments, including alternating, block, mirrored, ramped, biased, Euclidean, and randomized spice patterns.

Outputs
F_SLICEZ provides four simultaneous outputs. OUT is the main recombined signal, reflecting the full interaction between CUT, POS, and NEG. POS outputs the isolated positive waveform contribution. NEG outputs the isolated negative waveform contribution. SLICE outputs the CUT control signal as a bipolar waveform, useful for visualization, modulation, or external synchronization.