WAVES

ELEMENT 2.0
USER GUIDE
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 3

1.1 Welcome ............................................................................................................. 3

1.2 Product Overview ................................................................................................ 3

1.3 Concepts and Terminology .................................................................................. 4

1.4 Components ........................................................................................................ 5

CHAPTER 2 – QUICK START GUIDE............................................................................ 6

CHAPTER 3 – INTERFACE AND CONTROLS .............................................................. 7

3.1 Interface .............................................................................................................. 7

3.2 Controls ............................................................................................................... 7

3.2.1 Oscillators ............................................................................................................ 8

3.2.2 Additional Oscillators & Mix Section ..................................................................... 9

3.2.3 Voltage-Controlled Filter (VCF) .......................................................................... 11

3.2.4 Voltage-Controlled Amplifier (VCA) .................................................................... 13

3.2.5 Low-Frequency Oscillators (LFOs) .................................................................... 14

3.2.6 Envelope 3 ........................................................................................................ 15

3.2.7 Modulation Matrix .............................................................................................. 16

3.2.8 Arpeggiator/Sequencer ...................................................................................... 17

3.2.9 Effects ............................................................................................................... 18

3.2.10 EQ ..................................................................................................................... 20

3.2.11 Global and Out Sections .................................................................................... 21

CHAPTER 4 – STANDALONE APPLICATION ............................................................ 22

CHAPTER 5 – ELEMENT 1 AND ELEMENT 2 MODES ............................................... 22

5.1 Element 1 Mode ................................................................................................ 23

5.2 Element 2 vs. Element 1 .................................................................................... 24

CHAPTER 6 – WaveSystem Toolbar............................................................................ 25

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CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION

1.1 Welcome

Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your new Waves plugin,
please take a moment to read this user guide.

To install software and manage your licenses, you need to have a free Waves account.
Sign up at www.waves.com. With a Waves account you can keep track of your products,
renew your Waves Update Plan, participate in bonus programs, and keep up to date
with important information.

We suggest that you become familiar with the Waves Support pages: www.waves.com/
support. There are technical articles about installation, troubleshooting, specifications,
and more. Plus, you’ll find company contact information and Waves Support news.

1.2 Product Overview

Waves Element 2.0 is a subtractive polyphonic virtual analog synthesizer, designed to

provide fat analog sound in the tradition of the classic analog synths, with all the control
and flexibility of modern digital units. Element 2.0’s control panel combines tradition with
intuitive interaction, so you can easily customize existing presets or build custom
patches from the ground up. Special care and attention have been given to the synth’s
sound quality in order to recreate the fatness and depth of its analog ancestors.

Drawing inspiration from the classics, Element 2.0 lets you create seemingly complex
sounds using very simple settings, and then add “bells and whistles” using its built-in
modulators, effects and sequencer/arpeggiator. All Element 2.0 parameters are
accessible via a single page interface, conveniently laid out so you can see the entire
patch at all times. Fully MIDI-controllable, with easy-to-use MIDI Learn for all controls,
Element 2.0 is designed for quick integration with any connected MIDI control device
and can be used either as a plugin within your DAW host, or as a standalone
application.

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1.3 Concepts and Terminology

Element 2.0 is powered by Virtual Voltage™ technology, which connects its various
generators, transformation filters, envelopes and modulators. Element 2.0 therefore uses
many of the same concepts used by its hardware forerunners: VCF (Voltage Controlled
Filter), VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier), and so on.

Anyone acquainted with synthesis – especially classic ’80s-style polyphonic subtractive

synthesis – should feel right at home with Element 2.0. You’ll be able to dive right in and
start programming immediately. For novice synthesists, Element 2.0 is an ideal place to
learn the basics of synthesis theory. The learning curve will pay off when encountering
other synthesizers, whether software or hardware, analog or digital.

All users can partake in the instant gratification of Element 2.0’s vast selection of factory
presets. Element 2.0’s team of experienced preset developers created hundreds of
presets, sorted by category, so you can quickly find just the sound you need: leads,
pads, basses, sound effects, sequences, gated rhythmic lines and motions. Or simply
browse until something catches your ear – or imagination.

Whether in the studio or live on stage, many musicians like to control synthesizer
parameters in real time for enhanced creativity and expression. Element 2.0 supports
the basic automation features of plugin hosting technologies like VST, but it also
supports MIDI Learn. Assigning an Element 2.0 control to a knob on your MIDI controller
is as easy as right click > Learn, knob turn, done!

Analog modeling and sound quality do come at a price. Element 2.0 can be rather CPU-
hungry compared to other software synthesizers. During the days of analog hardware,
less expensive oscillators were often considered “dirty,” while accurate oscillators cost
more than was practical for music making. Ironically, in today’s digital world, creating a
pristine oscillator is comparatively easy; it’s the “dirtiness” that takes more CPU
calculations to recreate.

To conserve CPU power, Element 2.0 lets you select the maximum number of
simultaneous voices.

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1.4 Components

Element 2.0 has one component: Element 2.0 Stereo

Element 2.0 is a virtual instrument plugin and will appear under the related selection
menus for virtual instruments under all supported DAW host applications.

Waves Element 2.0 also works as a standalone application, using ASIO (Windows) or
Core Audio (Mac) drivers to play through your audio device of choice. Element 2.0
receives MIDI data to trigger notes and control changes.

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CHAPTER 2 – QUICK START GUIDE

1. Open Element 2.0 on an instrument track in your DAW of choice, or launch the
Element 2.0 standalone application.
2. Select a preset from Element 2.0s factory presets.
3. Play!

Use the next/previous preset arrow controls on the toolbar to scroll through
presets. If you’re looking for a certain type of sound, click the load button to reveal the
factory presets, sorted by category.

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CHAPTER 3 – INTERFACE AND CONTROLS

3.1 Interface

3.2 Controls
The Element 2.0 interface is arranged into four sections grouped according to function,
each highlighted in a different color:

 Voice generation and subtractive elements (blue)

 Modulation sources and patches (purple)
 Effects, EQ, global and output sections (green)
 Arpeggiator/sequencer (red)

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3.2.1 OSCILLATORS

Element 2.0 has two modeled analog oscillators which are labeled OSC 1 and OSC 2.

OCT determines the pitch range.

Options: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 (from highest to lowest pitch)

TUNE determines the pitch.

Range: -12 to +12 semitones

FINE fine-tunes the pitch.

Range: -100 to +100 cents

TYPE determines the waveform type.

Options: Sine, Saw, Triangle, Pulse

PW determines the pulse width. (Pulse waves only.)

Range: 0–99

VCO selects between virtual Voltage-Controlled Oscillation (VCO) and virtual Digitally
Controlled Oscillation (DCO). VCO starts the oscillation at a random phase and jitters
the pitch within a contained range; DCO starts the oscillation when triggered by a note
and is more consistent.
Options: VCO, DCO

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SINE MOD controls the modulation of OSC 1 using a sine oscillator. (OSC 1 only.)
Range: 0–100

FM (Frequency Modulation) controls the degree to which the frequency of OSC 2 is

modulated by OSC 1. (OSC 2 only.)
Range: 0–100

PhM (Phase Modulation) controls the degree to which the phase of OSC 2 is modulated
by OSC 1. (OSC 2 only.)
Range: 0–100

SYNC synchronizes OSC 2’s pitch to that of OSC 1. When SYNC is activated, OSC 2’s
pitch controls (OCT, TUNE, FINE) affect only OSC 2’s timbre, not its pitch.
Options: On, Off

3.2.2 ADDITIONAL OSCILLATORS & MIX SECTION

This section is used to combine OSC 1 and OSC 2, as well as add noise, sub-oscillation
and ring modulation.

SUB mixes in a triangle wave one octave below OSC 1.

Range: 0–100

NOISE mixes in white noise.

Range: 0–100

RING controls the ring modulation of OSC 1 and OSC 2.

Range: 0–100

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OSC 1 / OSC 2 activate each oscillator.
Options: In, Out

MIX balances the mix between OSC 1 and OSC 2.

Range: -50 to +50

MONO toggles between monophonic and polyphonic modes.

Options: On (mono), Off (polyphonic)

RTRG controls envelope re-triggering. When activated, every note restarts the
envelopes. (Mono mode only.)
Options: On, Off

UNISON stacks multiple voices for a richer sound.

Options: Off, 2 Voices, 4 Voices

PORT determines the glide time (portamento) between notes.

Range: 0.5–2500 ms (0–2.5 seconds)

LEGATO determines whether glide will always occur, or only when the previous note is
still held.
Options: Legato, Always

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3.2.3 VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED FILTER (VCF)

The VCF section includes selectable filter slope, frequency and resonance parameters
as well as a filter envelope which determines the filter movement on each trigger.

TYPE determines the filter type.

Options: High Pass, Low Pass, Band Pass, Band Reject

SLOPE toggles between two types of pole filters.

Options: 2-pole/12 dB per octave, 4-pole/24 dB per octave

CUTOFF controls the VCF cutoff frequency.

Range: 0–100 (20 Hz–20 kHz)

RES controls the amount of filter resonance.

Range: 0–100

ENV determines the envelope’s cutoff modulation depth.

Range: -100–100

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KBD controls keyboard tracking using C3 as its reference point.
Range: 0–100

FM controls the amount of frequency modulation on filter cutoff by OSC 1.

Range: 0–100

ADSR determines the filter’s envelope cutoff behavior after a note is triggered:
A (Attack): 1–10,000 (1 millisecond–10 seconds)
D (Decay): 1–10,000 (1 millisecond–10 seconds)
S (Sustain): 0–100% amplitude
R (Release): 1–10,000 (1 millisecond–10 seconds)

VEL sets the VCF cutoff in relation to the Note On velocity.

Range: 0–100

SHAPE determines the contour of the envelope time constants.

Range: -50–50

At 0, time constants are linear; at positive values, the envelope slopes become
more logarithmic for a response more similar to analog envelopes. Negative
values result in an exponential curve.

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3.2.4 VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED AMPLIFIER (VCA)

The VCA envelope controls the note level from trigger to release:
A (Attack): 1–10,000 (1 millisecond–10 seconds)
D (Decay): 1–10,000 (1 millisecond–10 seconds)
S (Sustain): 0–100% amplitude
R (Release): 1–10,000 (1 millisecond–10 seconds)

VEL sets the envelope depth in relation to the Note On velocity.

Range: 0–100

SHAPE determines the contour of the envelope time constants.

Range: -50–50

PUNCH controls the dynamic transient enhancer which makes for a “snappier’ attack.
Options: On, Off

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3.2.5 LOW-FREQUENCY OSCILLATORS (LFOS)

Element 2.0 features four identical LFOs that can be either free-running or synced to
both MIDI clock and Note On commands.

TYPE controls the LFO waveform shape.

Options: Sine, Saw Down, Saw Up, Triangle, Pulse, S&H (random)

RATE controls the frequency of the free LFO.

Range: 0.1–100 Hz

TIME controls the rate of the synced LFO, locked to the project BPM.
Options: 4/1, 3/1, 2/1, 1/1, 1/2, 3/8, 1/3, 1/4, 3/16, 1/6, 1/8, 3/32, 1/12, 1/16, 3/64,
1/24, 1/32

SYNC determines whether the LFO is free-running or synced to clock.

LED displays pulses at the same rate as the LFOs.

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3.2.6 ENVELOPE 3

In addition to the filter and the VCA envelopes, Element 2.0 includes an envelope
generator that can be freely assigned to selectable destinations via the modulation
matrix.

A (Attack): 1–10,000 (1 millisecond–10 seconds)

D (Decay): 1–10,000 (1 millisecond–10 seconds)
S (Sustain): 0 to 100% amplitude
R (Release): 1–10,000 (1 millisecond–10 seconds)

VEL sets the envelope depth in relation to the Note On velocity.

Range: 0–100

SHAPE determines the contour of the envelope time constants.

Range: -50–50

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3.2.7 MODULATION MATRIX

The Modulation Matrix allows the patching of modulation sources to selectable

destinations.

PHASE inverts the phase, per assignment. Depending on the phase setting, this will
change the direction of the modulation.
Options: On, Off

SRC determines the modulation source.

Options: LFO1, LFO2, LFO3, LFO4, Env3, Modwheel, Keyboard, Velocity,
Aftertouch, Bender, VCF Envelope, Sequencer

DEST determines the destination of the modulation source.

Options: Global Pitch, Osc1 Pitch, Osc2 Pitch, Osc1 PW, Osc2 PW, Sine Mode,
Osc FM, Osc PhM, Osc Mix, Sub, Noise, Ring, Portamento, VCF Cutoff, VCF
Res, VCF Env, VCF FM, VCF Env Shape, VCA, VCA Env A, VCA Env D, VCA
Env S, VCA Env R, VCA Env Shape, Pan, LFO1 Rate, LFO2 Rate, LFO3 Rate,
LFO4 Rate, Env3 A, Env3 D, Env3 S, Env3 R, Env3 Shape, Arp/Seq Rate,
Arp/Seq Gate, Mod1, Mod2, Mod3, Mod4, Mod5, Mod6, HP, LP, Distortion,
Crusher, Delay Mix, Delay Time, Reverb, Chorus

MOD sets the degree to which the modulation source affects the destination.
Range: 0–100%.

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3.2.8 ARPEGGIATOR / SEQUENCER

The ARP/SEQ section functions as both a traditional arpeggiator and a 16-step

sequencer. Each sequencer step has an In/Out toggle as well as a pitch control which
may be set +/-24 semitones from the currently held note.

MODE determines the operational mode.

Options: Off, (Arp) Up, (Arp) Down, (Arp) Up/Down, (Arp) Random, Sequence

OCT determines the range, in octaves, of the arpeggiator.

Options: 1, 2, 3, 4

RTRG determines whether the sequence should restart when a new note is played.

HOLD keeps the sequence running even after the keys are released.

TIME (drop-down) activates the host BPM sync function, and sets the rate using note
values.
Options: Free (host BPM sync off), 1/2, 3/8, 1/3, 1/4, 3/16, 1/6, 1/8, 3/32, 1/12,
1/16, 3/64, 1/24, 1/32

RATE sets the arpeggiator rate when TIME is set to Free.

Range: 1–50 Hz

GATE determines the length of each sequencer step as a percentage of its note length.
Range: 5–100%

STEPS determines the number of steps in the current sequence.

Range: 1–16

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SWING pushes even-numbered notes/steps toward the next odd-numbered note/step, to
create a shuffle/swing feel.
Range: 0–100

3.2.9 EFFECTS

DIST controls the amount of distortion effect. Distortion is applied per voice, eliminating
IMD (inter-modulation distortion.) Settings below 50% create a warm saturated drive
effect; settings above 50% result in a more aggressive, “crunchier” sound.
Range: 0–100%

PRE/POST is a toggle control which determines the placement of the distortion effect in
the signal path, either pre-VCF or post-VCF.
Options: Pre, Post

CRSHR is a distortion-like effect which simulates a reduction in the bit-depth and

resolution of the sound.
Range: 0–100

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CRSHR A/B switches between distinct crushing algorithms.
Options: A, B

DELAY is a stereo delay that allows separate delay times for the left and right channels,
using note values.

 LEFT sets the delay time for the left channel.

Options: 1/2, 3/8, 1/3, 1/4, 3/16, 1/6, 1/8, 3/32, 1/12, 1/16, 3/64, 1/24, 1/32

 RIGHT sets the delay time for the right channel.

Options: 1/2, 3/8, 1/3, 1/4, 3/16, 1/6, 1/8, 3/32, 1/12, 1/16, 3/64, 1/24, 1/32

 MIX determines the amount of delay effect in the mix.

Range: 0–100

 FEEDBACK determines the amount of gain fed back to the delay input.
Range: 0–100

REVERB controls both the amount and size of the virtual plate reverb sound. In addition
to increasing the amount of reverb, higher values also increase the reverb size and time.
Range: 0–100

CHORUS determines the amount of chorus modulation.

Range: 0–100

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3.2.10 EQ

The EQ section is a 4-band fixed frequency graphic equalizer with high-pass and low-
pass filters. At high boost levels, the EQ saturates with different tonal qualities than the
Distortion module.

HiPASS controls the high-pass filter frequency.

Range: 20–20,000 Hz

LoPASS controls the low-pass filter frequency.

Range: 10–20,000 Hz

100 controls equalization at 100 Hz.

Range: -30 to +30 dB

600 controls equalization at 600 Hz.

Range: -20 to +20 dB

1500 controls equalization at 1500 Hz.

Range: -20 to +20 dB

9000 controls equalization at 9000 Hz.

Range: -25 to +25 dB

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3.2.11 GLOBAL AND OUT SECTIONS

TEMPO displays the current tempo.

Range: 1–300

SOURCE determines the clock source.

Options: Host, Internal

VOICES determines the number of voices which may be played simultaneously.

Range: 1–16

BEND determines how far the pitch-bend controls will increase/decrease the pitch in
semitones.
Range: 0–12

GAIN sets Element 2.0’s overall output volume, after all generators and processors.
Range: -80 to 0 dBFS

METER displays Element 2.0’s overall output energy.

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CHAPTER 4 – STANDALONE APPLICATION
The Element 2.0 application can be used as a standalone instrument. It requires ASIO
drivers for Windows or Core Audio for macOS. Element 2.0 .exe (Win) or Element 2.0 .app
(Mac) loads the Element 2.0 instrument and configuration preferences dialogs. Set up the
standalone application from its File menu:
• All Notes Off Sends an All-Notes-Off MIDI command to the Element 2.0
synthesizer. This is useful in cases of “stuck” sustaining notes.
Displays the Preferences dialog for the Audio, MIDI, and User
• Preferences
Choices configurations.

PREFERENCES
Output displays the audio devices
available on the system.
Test plays a sound if the outputs are
configured correctly.

Active Output Channels allows

selection of audio outputs from the
selected device.

Sample Rate displays and sets the

sample rate.*
Audio Buffer Size displays and
sets the buffer size, which
influences latency.*
*In Windows, sample rate and buffer size cannot be changed
from this panel. To modify these settings: close the
application, adjust sample rate and buffer size with your
(Windows Only)
driver's control panel (link shown below), and then relaunch.

Active MIDI Inputs displays a list of available MIDI input devices on the current system.
Select the MIDI device for receiving MIDI data.

Tempo: Sets the tempo for all relevant plugins. By default, tempo-based Waves plugins are in
a “tempo listen” state. Their tempo rates will fix to this value.

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CHAPTER 5 – ELEMENT 1 AND ELEMENT 2 MODES

5.1 Element 1 Mode

Waves Element 2.0 includes a fully features version of its predecessor, the original
Element synth. A dedicated control at the top left corner of the interface, labeled Element
1 and 2, lets you freely switch between the two versions. Projects saved with Element 1
will automatically load the plugin in Element 1 mode.

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5.2 Element 1 vs. Element 2

Element 2 uses a vastly improved synthesis engine, which can result in highly audible
differences between the two modes.

There are also functional differences between Element 1 and Element 2 modes:

1. Element 1 has a single Unison mode, rather than the more sophisticated
selectable 2- or 4-voice Unison of Element 2.
2. Unlike the 4 LFOs in Element 2, Element 1’s LFOs are arranged in two pairs.
LFO 1 and 2 are free-running, whereas LFO 3 and 4 are synchronized both to
MIDI clock and to Note On commands.
3. Element 1 does not feature a dedicated pitch-bend range control.
4. Element 1 has only a single ‘Crusher’ effect mode.
5. Element 1 features an HD switch that improves the overall sound of the
instrument at the expense of increased CPU usage. Element 2 is always HD.
6. Element 1 has neither the ARP/SEQ ‘Hold’ nor the ‘Retrigger’ functionality of
Element 2.

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CHAPTER 6 – WaveSystem Toolbar
Use the bar at the top of the plugin to save and load presets, compare settings, undo
and redo steps, and resize the plugin. To learn more, click the icon at the upper-right
corner of the window and open the WaveSystem Guide.

Load with Preset – MIDI, Arp/Seq and Tempo

The Load with Preset filter is a Element-exclusive custom toolbar that lets you choose
whether or not to load certain preset characteristics such as MIDI assignments,
arpeggiator/sequencer settings, and tempo. When checked, these parameters are
loaded. Here are some practical examples:

MIDI – Let’s say you’ve assigned a MIDI controller knob to Element’s VCF cutoff.
Loading the next preset will reset this parameter; you will then have to redo the MIDI
Learn routine in order to attach the knob to the control. However, if you uncheck the
MIDI checkbox, the next preset will be loaded, but the current MIDI assignment will
remain in place.

Arp-Seq – Let’s say you have a bass line arpeggio that you like, and you want to test
the pattern using a different sound. Uncheck the Arp/Seq checkbox, and the preset will
be loaded without any associated Arp/Seq settings, leaving the pattern as is.

Tempo – Let’s say you are working on an arpeggio with an internal tempo of 140.
Loading presets may set the tempo to a different value or to the value determined by
your host computer. To ignore tempo settings saved with other presets, uncheck the
Tempo box, and your current tempo setting will remain in place when other presets are
loaded.

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