A vibrating screen separator. The vibrating screen separator may be operated in a linear, an elliptical, or in a transition from elliptical to linear modes of operation. In the linear mode of operation, the screen separator moves along a reciprocating straight line path, and, in the elliptical mode of operation, the screen separator moves along an elliptical path. In the transitionary mode of operation, the screen separator is transitioned from movement along the elliptical path to movement along the linear path.