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Modular Quad VCO module
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This is SSM2164 based quad VCO module. It is a 'classic' version of VCO I made before, which was destined to uC controlled matrix modular. But when I started to do it, I realized that most fun with using modular synth comes from playing with sea-of-knobs and patchcord-pasta. So I made another one, shown here.
Panel

The panel consists of four separate strips (VCOs), each with the same controls except the first VCO. Each has the following:

FOOTAGE switch:
64', 32', 16', 8', 4', 2', 1' plus 'Lo' 2 octaves below 64' and 'Hi' - something like 0.5'
WAVEFORM switch:
sine, triangle, minimoog ramp, saw, square, pulse, and 2 versions of bipolar pulses
TUNE knob:
tuning in range of +/-12 semitones or +/-5 octaves depending on RANGE switch
MODE switch (VCO2,3,4 only):
puts each VCO in one of three modes of tracking: free running, track CV0 input or track VCO1 tuning
RANGE switch:
sets the range of TUNE knob: 2 or 10 octaves
SYNC switches (2):
to activate synchronization between VCOs. 3 positions: off, soft, hard
PW knob:
affects pulse width of three pulse waveforms and shape of sine (kinda like Synthi AKS)
PWM knob:
to control amount of PW modulation from PWM input
CV1 and CV3 knobs:
bipolar (+/-1) attenuators for CV1 and CV3 inputs affecting frequency (V/oct)
CV2 knob:
attenuator for CV2 input, may be switched between V/oct, and linear FM modes
FM switch:
determines type of modulation from CV2 input - V/oct, or linear FM
INPUTS:
CV1, CV2, CV3, PWM, SYNC
OUTPUTS:
SAW, OUT1, OUT2. OUTs 1,2 give waveform selected by WAVEFORM switch
VCO1 has no MODE switch, and has additional CV input, which can control all VCOs.


Specifications
Frequency range:
0.15Hz-60kHz with knobs, 0.006Hz-120kHz with external CV
Output level:
all outputs are 10Vpp around center GND. Pulse 0/+5V. Sine distorted with PW knob/input may decrease amplitude
Interlock:
in tests most of VCOs wouldn't interlock at few kHz with beat rate around 0.1Hz. For unknown reason VCO4 locks to VCO3 when beat rate is lower than 0.2Hz.
Temperature drift:
depending on frequency. 0.5%/C at 5kHz, which is bad news
Center frequency:
VCOs are tuned to 150Hz at 0V (FOOTAGE at 8', Tune in the middle, no ext CV)
Short term stability:
I made 4 hours test where two VCOs were set to 300Hz and 5kHz. 300Hz turned to 299.5 while 5kHz changed by 3Hz

Schematics
It doesn't differ much (electrically) from original, but is a little simplified (no VCAs) and few components changed. See the schematics


Construction

The panel is made of 2mm thick 2-sided copper platted glass epoxy. It is stiff enough, easy to work with, and you can solder to it. All pots, switches and jacks are screwed directly to it - no middle panel. This way most of pots had to go through shaft-cutting operation. Panel writings are made in PCB software, ink-printed on 250gsm colored paper, painted with transparent acrylic spray, glued to panel. Inside are soldered 3 stands for securing PCB, and 4 taller stands for attaching U shaped piece of brassplate as back cover. Power supply cable (+/-9V, +/-5V, GND and shield) goes to power socket near PCB, where all wires meet. Ground leads of pots and switches are hooked with separate wires. The same (where possible) is done with power wires. This way I made sure to have real mess inside (see photo below), but hopefully the module will be less susceptible to all kinds of interference, hum etc.
Because of new ideas popping up, the PCB hasn't covered all requirements (it was suppose to be prototype after all), so I added some 3-D 'art' to it. Waveform selectors/shapers are built around switch leads - no protoboard or whatever. Looks ugly, but works. Also CV1 and CV3 bipolar attenuators required some circuitry. I decided to use more opamps instead of well known circuit and obtain better resolution near 0, better attenuation at 0, no gain errors and constant input resistance. Those opamps are soldered directly to pot's leads.
All this 3-D stuff resulted in reduction of wires inside module. I started with flexible wire, but then realized that with solid wire I could achieve better results - once bent, the wire stays there. See what I mean in few photos below.
As for size standard, module fits into 5U 19''rack frame. Each VCO is 12TE wide (2.4''). I hope to make some page someday with info on DIY racks, frames and keyboard stands.


Photos

top of module close-up
middle close-up
bottom close-up (jacks)
side view
back cover removed
pcb removed too
closer look from different angle
the prototype
5U 19'' frame with preliminary quad VCO front panel


Audio files

These are recordings of me tweaking the module recorded the same day I finished it, but it took me almost a month to pick some of them put here. All are made solely with quadVCO module and Polysynth used as CV keyboard (nonlinear, btw). MP3 encoder I used was not too good, and took half of life from every track. And please don't mind my lack of musical imagination ;-)
sine waves 718K heavily modulated
FM sound 266K sweeping and more
another FM sound 459K and bipolar pulse LFO
various FM noises 1.18M sweeping; stereo noise in second half
few crazy patches 585K
unisono 411K two VCOs per channel
crazy tweakin' 880K

See also few scope screenshots of prototype waveforms

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© 2004 Roman Sowa
Last revised September 25, 2004