Definition
In vector synthesis four sound sources (oscillators or samples) are placed at the corners of a square (A, B, C, D) and a joystick or a vector envelope decides at every instant the mix among them. The sound “travels” from one source to another. It was introduced by the Sequential Circuits Prophet-VS (1986), designed by Dave Smith's team; after Sequential closed, part of that group worked on the Korg Wavestation (1990), which added wave sequencing: a sequence of different waveforms played one after another, with programmable durations and crossfades. Yamaha (SY22, TG33) also used vector control; the Korg Wavestate (2020) is its modern heir.
How it works
- Four oscillators with different waveforms (on the Prophet-VS, 128 single-cycle digital waveforms).
- Joystick: X/Y position = percentage of each source; at the center all at 25%.
- Vector envelope: a series of points (X/Y positions over time) with looping capability: the timbre moves on its own even while holding a chord.
- Downstream: filter (on the Prophet-VS an analog resonant low-pass), amplifier and modulations.
Wave sequencing (Wavestation)
Each “step” of the sequence is a waveform or a short sample with duration and crossfade. Applied to percussive sounds it creates rhythmic patterns within a single note; applied to soft shapes it generates constantly moving pads. It is the ancestor of modern modulation sequencers and “wavetable loops.”
Why use it today
- Evolving pads that don't tire: the movement is organic, not cyclical like an LFO.
- Rhythmic textures synced to tempo (tempo-synced wave sequence).
- Morphing between timbral families (voice → bell → strings → noise) without having to automate dozens of parameters.
- A very recognizable '80s–'90s digital character in synthwave and new age.
Instruments
Prophet-VS V (V Collection 9), Korg Wavestation (software version in the Korg Collection), Korg Wavestate and Modwave. You can emulate the principle in any synth with 4 oscillators and an XY controller: in Vital or Serum assign two slow LFOs (X and Y) to the oscillator mixes; in FL Studio you can drive the volumes of 4 oscillators inside Patcher with two automation clips (one for the X axis and one for the Y axis, each controlling two pairs of sources in opposite directions) or with an XY controller.
Basic recipes
- “Journey” pad: A = filtered saw, B = vocal “ah” shape, C = digital bell, D = breathy noise; vector envelope going A → B in 2 s, B → C in 4 s, slow C ↔ D loop. Low-pass filter at 3 kHz, long reverb.
- Internal arpeggio: 8-step wave sequence at 1/16 with waveforms of different intensity: a single held chord sounds rhythmic.
- Soft bass: A = sine, B = triangle, C/D = richer shapes reached only with velocity or mod wheel.
Example in A minor
Synthwave intro at 96 BPM: chords Am – F – G – Em held 2 bars each on Prophet-VS V; looping vector envelope (4-bar cycle) taking the timbre from warm to glassy; mod wheel to push toward the bright corner in the chorus. Mini V bass and LinnDrum drums to set the era.
Common mistakes
- Movement too fast: it becomes a tremolo. For pads think in seconds, not sixteenth notes.
- Not balancing the levels of the four sources: the volume “hole” at the crossover is typical.
Exercise
- In a four-oscillator synth, create the A/B/C/D map and record the joystick movement (or two automations X and Y) over 8 bars.
- Build an 8-step wave sequence synced to 1/16 and use it as a fixed arpeggio on a chord.
Connections
“Wavetable synthesis”, “Modulation matrix”, “Pad design”, “Envelopes, LFOs and modulation”.