TheBateleur - Voltage Controlled Oscillator MKII

Voltage Controlled Oscillator (Discrete Transistor Saw-tooth Core), Voltage Controlled Filter (Low Pass, 4-pole), Voltage Controlled Amplifier (built-in, accessible via Expander)

Engineered around a discrete Core ​with a dedicated, self-oscillating 4-pole Filter and integrated VCA, this VCO offers state-of-the-art performance with unparalleled timbre and signal-shaping possibilities.

An incredible amount of innovation went into designing a discrete Core capable of very decent temperature stabilisation while retaining the unique sonic DNA and tonal capabilities of 100% analog voltage controlled circuitry. The resulting design - elegant despite inherent complexity is also considerably less noisy and less susceptible to temperature drift than it’s vintage forefathers.

The VCO’s output is perceived by the human ear as extremely harmonically rich with minute variations in frequency and pleasant harmonic distortion.

Throughout the design and development process we were free to experiment with any imaginable set of features focusing on a discrete Core with a distinctive sound. The result: a VCO that is unlike any other in the sense that it is a self-sufficient, self-contained unique voice​with an astonishing 4-pole Filter, a standalone VCA and complex signal-shaping circuitry - yet can be integrated into any configuration - be it in a standalone or modular fashion.

At the center of the signal-flow is a dedicated, self-oscillating, voltage controlled 4-pole Filter tracking 1V/Oct​.
The Filter is one of the principal parts of THE BATELEUR​ VCO​, allowing timbral control over the fundamental Waveforms and external signals however at the same time also an eccentric standalone voice in its own right once in the self-oscillation ◉ position.

And what would a VCO be without wave-shaping qualities? Our take on Through-Zero - Frequency Modulation gives the VCO an entirely new range of sounds. It’s more like a dedicated FX unit - literally at the flick of a switch.

The VCO has a 5 Frequency ranges​with with an approx. 4.5V-span per ​range, +/- 7 Semitone Fine-tuning, Portamento Glide​, Frequency Modulation​, Through-Zero Modulation, Pulse-Width Modulation and Filter Cutoff Modulation ​allowing unprecedented control over signal-shaping and limitless tonal variety.

The entire interface is streamlined for intuitive operation and maximum efficiency with large, distinctive, performance-friendly knobs and dichromatic labelling making it both a player’s instrument​and studio workhorse​.

INPUT:
· 1V/OCT
· CUTOFF CV
· PWM CV
· FM CV
· FILTER INPUT

OUT:
· SINE
· TRI
· SAW
· PULSE
· SUB
· FILTER OUTPUT

SWITCH:
· FILTER / Self Oscillation ◉
· FM / FM Through-Zero

CONTROL:
· FINE
· RANGE
· GLIDE
· FM
· CUTOFF
· PW
· PWM

The Mk2 version has several improvements:

. Frequency range swithc has six positions, including a LFO mode with improved fine tuning (+/-2 octaves).
. Sync mode as thrid FM setting.
. Additional filter mode decoupling the self-oscillation from the 1V/octave input.
. The filter is stable over a range of seven octaves and closes entirely.
. Oscillator core is compensated over seven octaves and offers a new trimming function.
. VCA noise floor and bleedthru have been minimized.
. 10-pin header for connecting to the Birdsnest for polyphonic and internal activation.

https://birdkids.org