The Cyndustries List

Hi, Ive never used a analog VCO before ,I have other synth modules ,where i use a midi keyboard to trigger the sounds from my synth modules ,I was wondering if the Zerooscillator works in the same way, or do you need a analog keyboard with built in sounds, or is it standalone thanks .

--- In The_Cyndustries_List@yahoogroups.com, "darkpsyelf" <darkpsyelf@...> wrote:
>
> Hi, Ive never used a analog VCO before ,I have other synth modules ,where i use a midi keyboard to trigger the sounds from my synth modules ,I was wondering if the Zerooscillator works in the same way, or do you need a analog keyboard with built in sounds, or is it standalone thanks .
>

Perhaps I'm wrong in how I'm interpreting your question. My guess is you are thinking about synth modules in terms of MIDI synths without keyboards you put into a standard studio rack, or sometimes are a little MIDI driven box that sits there. You plug them in to a keyboard or computer with MIDI and they contain a whole synth just no keys. They've been made since the 1980s and I prefer to use the term racked MIDI synth or maybe tabletop MIDI synth to avoid confusion with the original meaning of "synth module" which comes from modular synth.

Anyway the Zeroscillator is an oscillator module for a modular synth, while it's from the 2000s, the idea of modular synths dates back to systems of modules built by  Moog, Buchla and others in the 1960s. 

You have a collection of modular synth modules that can be envelopes, oscillators, filters, amplifiers all separate but connectable with patch cables in some sort of rack or case. Once connected you have a sound. But say just have a VCO like a zeroscillator, what have you got? Well first you need to power it since the cases have the power for manageability. Then you have a really featured single oscillator you can connect to control voltages to modulate and change the waves it produces and there are also knobs. 

Because it's just a VCO (not what would be considered a complete synth) it never stops making waves unless you pull the plug or adjust it so high or low that your ears no longer hear it, but that's not a way to work and it's not really stopped making waves, just your ears have stopped sensing them. I'm sure there are a few composers into drone music, maybe using a regular mixer to fade up and down, but really that's not the intention. The idea is to put it in a system with VCFs, VCAs, envelopes, LFOs, etc.  and definitely other oscillators, because in my opinion many of the features of the zeroscillator are aimed at modulation from (and also to) another VCO.

So first knowing it's not a complete modular system on it's own, but say you buy some other modules to have a system of some sort. Can a MIDI keyboard trigger sounds? Yes, but after you get a MIDI to CV interface that turns MIDI into control voltage. There is another newer method involving generating control voltages with digital audio interfaces but it takes some explaining. It's not "plug and play".

So to wrap up your question, you would not typically be interfacing it with anything that has built in sounds. It's not standalone. At minimum it needs correct and properly regulated DC power, but much more typically it's part of a modular system.