Abstract: An arbitrary waveform generator includes at least one analog output, a digital-to-analog converter connected to the analog output and a waveform source connected to the digital analog converter. The waveform source includes a waveform memory, a signal player and a signal processor. The waveform generator is controlled by a sequencer having an instruction memory for instructions and an instruction interpreter adapted to sequentially execute the instructions. A command table unit, in addition to the sequencer, is connected to the waveform source and includes a command table memory holding a plurality of commands. The commands include a waveform identifier for a waveform to be played and a parameter identifier describing how to modify the waveform in the signal processor. The sequencer can trigger the command table unit to execute a command therein, thereby playing the waveform with the parameter as identified by the command.