[sdiy] How Many Oscillators?

[Michael Boracci]

Dave,
That was an excellent and informative response. I was considering FM , but
it may not be worth it in the end. You mentioned something about tuning
multiple oscillators that I think will lead to a question of synching the
oscillators. That will be later on though.

Thanks
Michael

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
[mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl]On Behalf Of Peachey, Dave
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 9:12 AM
To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
Subject: RE: [sdiy] How Many Oscillators?


Michael,

Personally, I'd go with as many as you feel you need!

My plan with my own Digisound-based modular is (eventually) to have four
oscillators - two Digisound CEM-based, one Digisound VCDO and one MOTM-300
Ultra VCO (when I get it).  This, coupled with several different
wave-shaping modules (Digisound Waveform Multiplier, Oakley Wavefolder and,
eventually a MOTM-510 Wavewarper) and a number of different filter types
will give me ample scope for creating and manipulating sounds to the nth
degree.

Having said that, if you want to do some Yamaha-style 'FM' synthesis then
you may want somewhat more than four oscillators :-)

My biggest concern would (and will) be the ability to tune all the
oscillators and get them to track properly across a usable frequency range.
Do you really want to have to re-tune/re-scale a large number of oscillators
every time you want to use it in anger?  If it's going to stay in one place,
this might not be too much of a problem but, if you put your modular into a
different ambient environment then you'll have more problems.  In that case,
stability of oscillators would be of paramount importance and may detract
from your (financial) ability to have a larger number of them.

Cheers
Dave

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Michael Boracci [SMTP:mboracci at nfpcomputer.com]
> Sent:	Friday, September 26, 2003 1:52 PM
> To:	synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Subject:	[sdiy] How Many Oscillators?
>
> *** WARNING : This message originates from the Internet ***
>
>
> Dear Friends,
>     I am planning a modular synthesizer and drawing some functional
> diagrams. In the process I am trying to determine how many oscillators
> would be practical. I have seen common synthesizers with two and three
> oscillators each with a few different choices of waveform.
>
> In terms of practicality versus sound shaping properties is it unrealistic
> to design around six or even eight oscillators per voice?
>
> I would appreciate any feedback in terms of existing synthesizers out
> there that I might use as a reference.
>
> Thanks,
> Michael


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