WMD – Synchrodyne Overview

When receiving the Synchrodyne, I decided to explore it without a manual. This manual-less approach yielded hours of incredible sounds and lots of, “what the hell am I doing?”. I thought it was a self contained experimental noise maker (which it can be), a strong PLL audio modifier (which it can be), or a distortion unit (which it can be). After some research and taking notes, the lightbulb went off and it made sense. I found that the Synchrodyne is “supposed” to be used as an audio modifier. Throw a VCO or any noise source into the filter input and it’ll properly mangle your sound with its 5 sections: VCO, PLL, VCA, Wavefolder, Filter. In short, the VCO’s Pulse Output clocks the PLL and the PLL controls the Filter. This strange signal path creates incredible sounds and can be broken/intercepted anywhere in between.

The WMD Synchrodyne has so much going on, is so deep functionality wise and complex with intricate internal routing paths but I made an overview video that is essentially a ‘getting started’ tutorial.

The WMD official video and manuals contain a lot more information such as:

- The VCO is temperature compensated
- The Filter outputs can self oscilate while the 4p (-24dB) output is more stable.
- Input level of the Wavefolder has a trim-pot on the back that will be easily accessible on the planned expansion.

- WMD Synchrodyne Information
- Analog Haven

Flowchart