Phase Distortion Synthesizer

Shearwave

Phase distortion synthesis, done properly. Shearwave brings the classic Casio CZ-series approach to a modern instrument — instead of filtering a bright waveform down, or having oscillators modulate one another, Shearwave warps the rate a wavetable is read at. A plain sine, read unevenly, blooms into everything from glassy plucks to snarling basses to resonant, semi-vocal leads. It runs on the same signal chain, modulation matrix, and effects engine as the rest of the Music Sound Software suite.

32 Presets 4 Oscillators 5 Waveshapes Distortion Amount (DCW) Dual Filters · 12 Types 12-Slot Mod Matrix MPE Support VST3 · AU · Standalone macOS · Windows coming soon

Free Free For Now

Get it on Gumroad

Platform: macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel, Universal Binary). A Windows version is coming soon. Not currently compatible with iOS, Android, Linux, or ChromeOS.

See EULA

Shearwave phase distortion oscillator panel

What's Inside

A complete phase distortion instrument, not a one-trick nostalgia synth.

Phase Distortion Oscillator Engine

Instead of filtering a bright waveform down, or having oscillators modulate one another, Shearwave warps the rate a wavetable is read at — a plain sine, read unevenly, blooms into complex, evolving harmonic content.

Distortion Amount (DCW)

One control takes a waveform from a pure sine to a bright, harmonically dense edge — the heart of the CZ-style phase distortion sound.

Modulatable DCW

DCW can be driven live by an envelope, an LFO, velocity, aftertouch, or a macro, for the classic CZ "brightness that moves" character.

Four Oscillators, Five Waveshapes

Including two resonant variants with a swept sine carrier, for that unmistakable CZ resonance.

Dual Filters, 12 Types

The same dual multi-mode filter engine used across the Music Sound Software suite, with 12 filter types available on each of the two filter slots.

Full Modulation Matrix

A 12-slot modulation matrix — the same routing engine used across the whole Music Sound Software line — connects LFOs, envelopes, and other sources to synthesis and effects parameters.

9-Slot Effects Chain

A full, reorderable effects chain shared with the rest of the suite.

8-Band EQ & Compressor

An 8-band parametric EQ plus a mastering-style compressor — the same mixing engine found in Hybridwave.

Arpeggiator with Chord Mode

A built-in arpeggiator including a dedicated chord mode, for performance-ready patches.

MPE Support

Full MPE support for expressive, per-note control on compatible controllers.

32 Factory Presets

A curated library showcasing the range of the phase distortion engine, from glassy plucks to snarling basses to resonant, semi-vocal leads.

Built on a Proven Architecture

Shearwave shares its preset system, modulation matrix, effects chain, and UI framework with the rest of the Music Sound Software suite.

Scalable UI

A resizable interface that fits your screen and workflow, however you like to work.