Rob Hordijk Triple LF-VCO: Difference between revisions

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(A lot more editing and re-wording based on the info from the Hordijk blog.)
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=== LF-VCO A ===
'''LF-VCO A''' provides a sine wave output, with inputs for frequency modulation (A MOD) and 'fluctuation' (A FLUCT). There are knobs to control frequency (LF-VCO A RATE), frequency modulation depth (LF-VCO A MOD), and fluctuation depth (LF-VCO A FLUCT). Fluctuation is a combination of AM and FM that soft-syncs to the harmonics of the modulating signal, providing a more 'natural' feel for things such as vibrato than a traditional LFO even at high frequencies.<ref name="rh" /> '''LF-VCO A'''<nowiki/>'s frequency modulation input is normalised to '''LF-VCO C's S/H output. '''
 
There are knobs to control frequency (LF-VCO A RATE), frequency modulation depth (LF-VCO A MOD), and fluctuation depth (LF-VCO A FLUCT).
 
Fluctuation is a combination of AM and FM that soft-syncs to the harmonics of the modulating signal, providing a more 'natural' feel for things such as vibrato than a traditional LFO even at high frequencies.<ref name="rh" />
 
'''LF-VCO A'''<nowiki/>'s frequency modulation input is normalised to '''LF-VCO C's S/H output. '''
 
=== LF-VCO B ===
'''LF-VCO B''' provides triangle and pulse wave outputs, which are uni-polar; and inputs for frequency modulation (B MOD) and synchronisation (B SYNC/HALT). There are knobs to control frequency (LF-VCO B RATE), frequency modulation depth (LF-VCO B MOD), and waveform shape (LF-VCO B SHAPE). The frequency range goes from several minutes to around 100Hz, and has a slower range than LFO A. The triangle output can be modulated from ramp to triangle to saw (like the Korg MS20). The wave shape control also effects the pulse width.
 
There are knobs to control frequency (LF-VCO B RATE), frequency modulation depth (LF-VCO B MOD), and waveform shape (LF-VCO B SHAPE).
 
The frequency range goes from several minutes to around 100Hz, and has a slower range than LFO A.
 
The triangle output can be modulated from ramp to triangle to saw (like the Korg MS20). The wave shape control also effects the pulse width.
 
'''LF-VCO B''' has a switch to select between hard-sync or a "stop" function. The stop function stops the LFO on the current output level and from that it goes further on the rhythm of a modulating input signal or the triangle LF-VCO.<ref name="rh" /><!-- This feels poorly explained - need to clarify. -->
 
 
'''LF-VCO B''' has three operating modes, selectable with a switch: <ref name=":0">[https://thehordijkmodular.blogspot.com/search/label/Triple%20LF-VCO LF-VCO] by Benoit Faivre (2018)</ref>
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=== LF-VCO C ===
'''LF-VCO-C''' provides triangle and inverterd triangle wave outputs. The frequency range goes from several minutes to 100&nbsp;Hz.<ref name="rh" /> There are knobs to control frequency (LF-VCO RATE) and frequency modulation depth (LF-VCO C MOD).
 
The frequency range goes from several minutes to 100&nbsp;Hz.<ref name="rh" />
 
There are knobs to control frequency (LF-VCO RATE) and frequency modulation depth (LF-VCO C MOD).
 
[[File:TriLfoSH flowchart.jpg|thumb|TRIPLE LF-VFO flowchart with new Sample and Hold function.]]
 
=== Sample & Hold Function ===
In new versions of the module the modulation input of '''LF-VCO C''' has a S&H right after the input connector, but just before the input level knob. '''LF-VCO C''' triggers the S&H circuit.
 
On every positive peak and on every negative peak of the triangle waveform the S&H samples the '''LF-VCO C''' modulation input signal and holds the sampled value during the slope that follows. This means that the S&H causes every up-slope and every down-slope of the triangle to have a different duration, defined by the momentary value the S&H happened to sample. The slopes remain perfectly linear, only their steepness is affected. The effect is that there is a more or less random spread in time. This also effects the duration or width of the pulse output.
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Note for frequency modulation: A high frequency can easily be deeply modulated by a low rate, but a low frequency is much harder to modulate deeply with high frequency.
 
For example, when a 1Hz LFO is modulated with a 1kHz signal there may only be a tiny bit of 1kHz zippery noise in the LFO signal, but the 1Hz will not seem to change much. But by using a S&H on the 1Hz LFO it will instead go all over the place, defined by the average amplitude of the 1kHz signal.
 
A S&H changes this FM equation into a pure statistic function that becomes pitch independent, resulting in slow rates reacting much deeper to faster rate modulation signals as without the S&H.
 
 
To use the S&H modulation on LFO C it is often a good idea to not set the LFO C rate knob to its maximum. While there are not set limits for the minimum rate times, a very large negative modulation signal can cause a LFO to stop oscillating.
 
Note for frequency modulation: A high frequency can easily be deeply modulated by a low rate, but a low frequency is much harder to modulate deeply with high frequency. A S&H changes this FM equation into a pure statistic function that becomes pitch independent, resulting in slow rates reacting much deeper to faster rate modulation signals as without the S&H. For example, when a 1Hz LFO is modulated with a 1kHz signal there may only be a tiny bit of 1kHz zippery noise in the LFO signal, but the 1Hz will not seem to change much. But by using a S&H on the 1Hz LFO it will instead go all over the place, defined by the average amplitude of the 1kHz signal.
If this happens when the LFO C rate knob is at its minumum, the modulation level knob is fully open, and a sampled negative signal is stopping the LFO, and thus also not sampling a new value that can start it again. In this case LFO C may appear to be frozen. In that case you can just open the rate knob a bit until it starts oscillating again. Or wait for a very long time for the S&H capacitor to eventually loose its charge.<ref name=":0" />
 
To use the S&H modulation on LFO C it is often a good idea to not set the LFO C rate knob to its maximum. While there are not set limits for the minimum rate times, a very large negative modulation signal can cause a LFO to stop oscillating. If this happens when the LFO C rate knob is at its minumum, the modulation level knob is fully open, and a sampled negative signal is stopping the LFO, and thus also not sampling a new value that can start it again. In this case LFO C may appear to be frozen. In that case you can just open the rate knob a bit until it starts oscillating again. Or wait for a very long time for the S&H capacitor to eventually loose its charge.<ref name=":0" /> [[File:Hordijk trilfo.png|thumb|200px|Panel design for a Rob Hordijk TRIPLE LF-VCO]]
[[File:Hordijk trilfo.png|thumb|200px|Panel design for a Rob Hordijk TRIPLE LF-VCO]]
=== Internal Normalisations ===
Many of Rob's designs feature internal connections or 'normalisations' between inputs and outputs. These can be broken by inserting jacks into the inputs.