SYNTH MASTERCLASS
More oscillator explorations with synth guru Scot Solida
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In this first brief walkthrough, we’ll be using Voltage Modular Nucleus to create a classic oscillator sync sound of the sort made famous by bands like The Cars. As ever, we’ll begin by clicking that New button in the upper-left to start with a clean slate. To control volume, we add an Amplifier module, patching its Output into the 1L(M) jack in the Main Outs panel. 4
Now, let’s get our second Oscillator in on the action. Run a cable from the second Oscillator’s Sawtooth output up to the first Oscillator’s Hard Sync input. This will lock the first Oscillator’s waveform cycle to reset every time the second Oscillator completes a cycle. Don’t worry if you don’t understand how it works – you’ll know it when you hear it! 2
We’re going to need an Envelope Generator to control the Amplifier, so add one and route its Env Out jack to the Amplifier’s CV In. Go to the CV Outs panel and run a cable from its Gate jack down to the Envelope’s Gate In to provide MIDI control. Now, it’s time to add an Oscillator, routing its Sawtooth output to the Amplifier’s Input. 5
At the moment, our second Oscillator is having no effect at all on the sound, though it would do if you ‘played’ its Frequency knob. However, rather than doing that, we’re going to employ another Envelope Generator. Add one and run a cable to its Gate In jack from the CV Outs’ Gate jack. 3
Add a second Oscillator, but don’t connect it to the Amplifier module’s input. Back in the CV Outs panel, run a cable from its Pitch jack down to both Oscillators’ Keyb CV jacks for MIDI control over their pitch. At this point, you should be able to ‘play’ the first Oscillator, and hear its sawtooth waveform. 6
Route the new Envelope’s Env Out jack to the 1st (audible) Osc’s Frequency Mod jack and crank the adjacent knob to 73%. Next, set the new Envelope’s A(ttack) slider to around 30ms, and its D(ecay) to around 6000. Normally, this causes a pitch shift over time, but instead gives a characteristic timbral shift as Osc 1 ‘resets’ to the frequency of Osc 2.