WaveBoy Manual

WaveBoy is an 8HP Eurorack module that implements the behavior of the wave channel on the Nintendo GameBoy, specifically the behavior found in the LSDJ (one of the GameBoy music trackers). It also has a noise mode which is able to generate a number of bitwise noise algorithms and has a step sequencer which can be used in wave, noise or sampler modes.

It is available for purchase here. Doing so helps the project and helps fund future features, modules, etc.

In wave mode, each patch contains 16 waves ("frames") with each wave being a 4-bit / 32-step cyclic waveform. You can thus think of Wave mode as a very basic wavetable module.

What makes WaveBoy a bit unique is that it does not use a fixed sampling rate for the DAC. Instead it adopts the GameBoy's solution of clocking the DAC at the desired pitch. In wave mode, the resulting frequency is the desired pitch multiplied by 32, since the waveform has 32 steps. In noise mode, it is the speed that the noise value is updated at. There is no anti-aliasing (by design).

For inputs, WaveBoy has V/Oct of course, as well as an additional CV and trigger input. The trigger is used to advance the step sequencer in both Wave and Noise modes. The CV is for selecting the wave-frame in wave mode; and for modulating the noise algorithms (depending on which one is used).

For outputs, it has two DC-coupled outputs. The main out is for audio. The second output is for the step sequencer. In the future it may also be used for outputting another wave (e.g. for detune or for a sub-osc, etc.).

WaveBoy is an open source / open hardware design. The project is hosted on Gitlab here.

If you want to buy one, you can do so here. Doing so supports the project and helps fund future modules and things.