MODULES
VCO
Complete manual and reference for the VCO module.
UPDATED MAR 9, 2026
How Does It Work?#
VCO is a classic four-output oscillator that generates saw, square, sine, and triangle waves at the same time, with octave range selection, tuning controls, and pulse-width modulation.
Quick Overview#
- All four waveform outputs are available simultaneously.
Range,Pitch, andFineset the oscillator tuning.PWandPW Amtcontrol pulse-width behavior for the square path.V/Oct,FM, andPW Modlet the oscillator track pitch and respond to modulation.
Inputs And Outputs#
| Port | Type | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
V/Oct | CV | Applies 1V/oct pitch control. |
FM | CV | Applies bipolar frequency modulation. |
PW Mod | CV | Modulates pulse width through the PW Amt attenuator. |
Saw | Audio | Sawtooth output. |
Sqr | Audio | Pulse/square output. |
Sin | Audio | Sine output. |
Tri | Audio | Triangle output. |
Controls Reference#
| Control | Range | Default | Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
Range | 32', 16', 8', 4', 2' | 8' | Sets the octave footage. |
Pitch | -12..12 st | 0 | Coarse tuning. |
Fine | -20..20 ct | 0 | Fine tuning. |
PW | 0.05..0.95 | 0.5 | Sets the base pulse width. |
PW Amt | 0..1 | 0.5 | Sets how strongly PW Mod affects pulse width. |
Signal Behavior#
- The oscillator starts from a C4-based core and applies
Range,Pitch, andFinebefore CV. V/Octmultiplies frequency in octave steps.FMapplies a normalized bipolar frequency ratio on top of the current pitch.PW Modis scaled byPW Amt, then clamped so pulse width stays inside the safe0.05..0.95range.
Output Notes#
Saw,Sqr,Sin, andTricome from the same oscillator core, so they stay phase-related.- The square output is band-limited, and the triangle output is derived from the square path.
- This makes VCO a good central source when you want multiple related waveforms available at once.
Patching Ideas#
- Use
SaworSqras the main subtractive source and keepSinfor cleaner FM or bass layers. - Patch an LFO into
PW Modfor animated pulse-width movement. - Split the simultaneous outputs to different filters or VCAs for parallel tone shaping.