WAVE Waveform · Pulse
Pulse
Oscillator waveform · pulse
Harmonic content At 50% width: odd harmonics only (matches square). Off-center: a mix of odd and even harmonics.
A square wave with adjustable symmetry. At 50% pulse width, pulse is mathematically identical to square. Push the width toward 10% or 90% and the wave becomes asymmetric, which adds even harmonics back in and progressively narrows the sound — first nasal and reedy, then almost clarinet-like, then very thin. Modulating pulse width with an LFO produces the classic shimmering, animated quality of vintage pulse-width-modulated pads.
▸Typical uses
- Pulse-width-modulated pads (LFO → pwm)
- Reedy leads and nasal solo tones
- Vintage analog character
- Layered with square or saw for body
▸In the curriculum
Lessons that explicitly use, or naturally lean on, the pulse waveform:
▸Other waveforms
Compare pulse against the other oscillator shapes:
Hear pulse alone, then watch the filter eat its harmonics. The PatchPond studio loads any oscillator waveform with one click.
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