Most succinct explanation of tuning the scaling I've seen. I wish I'd known this years ago, would have saved me many headaches with an errant Source I had then.
Great video, thank you for showing how to tune it. Regarding that, it seems like you chose a random position for the Coarse knob, why is that? Or is the knob supposed to not affect when the 1v/oct cv input is used?
well, it has to tune regardless of the knob position, so it doesn't matter much where it is when you calibrate it. It's about making sure one volt makes an octave change, that's all
Thanks for taking us through the tuning process! Are there any other factors that may prevent an oscillator from tracking 1v/oct like faulty power or temperature? I have a couple oscillators that I can’t seem to get in tune over more than 1-2 octaves. One of them, I adjust the trim pot on the back to get it calibrated, but then it’ll start drifting off again even if it’s been warmed up for an hour. I sent it back to the manufacturer and they could not replicate the problem. The other one just won’t spread evenly across the octaves. I’ve tried 3 different cases, different voltage sources, patch cables, and ribbon power cables. I understand the process and have had success calibrating several other oscillators, but I’m stuck with these two modules that won’t track properly.
You could try removing the 2 transistors and replacing them with other BC548 & BC558's They are vital in the CV to frequency conversion, and they may just be not a very well matched pair.
I just finished building the VCO. Everything is working except for the coarse pot. I get no change in pitch. When testing with a multimeter I do see a change in voltage however when touching the first wiper connection I do get a change in pitch. Does this sound like a cold solder joint? Thanks.
Update: resolved! I found three resistors I missed around the coarse pot. Two were vertical on the right and a third to the left that I don’t believe was in the physical screenshot but I found on the schematic. Additionally I had not soldered the pot left right links not wiper but on the pot. So user error of course!
Muito bom, tou curtindo muito ver seu canal! Gostei de conhecer esse kit de módulos especificamente, sou graduando em engenharia eletrônica e músico profissional e tou sempre pensando em ideias de como seria possível ensinar música e eletrônica de forma acessível mas no caso aqui no Brasil mesmo. Ninguém conhece sintetizadores modulares aqui, tanto que nem tenho, acho meio inacessível (só uso VCV Rack por enquanto). Eu trabalho fazendo pedais de guitarra mas pretendo construir em breve synths desse tipo pelo menos pra tirar uma onda e ter diferentes texturas pra usar no meu som..quem sabe um dia vira um produto maneiro desses para outros usarem também
Valeu Marco! Mas tem gente com modular no Brasil sim! Até construtores e fabricantes como Arthur Joly e Vinicius Brazil. Entra lá no grupo Modular.br no Facebook ;)
@@QuincasMoreira legal demais! Conheço o trabalho do Vinícius Brazil, ele é lenda! Vou entrar nesse grupo aí pra saber mais, ainda é um mundo a ser explorado e relativamente novo pra mim
A little tip: dont measure resistors, this is a bad building practice. Get either a chart or a decoder and learn to look up the colour-bands. With a little practice you can soon identify components by sight.
lol.. snake charmer method, I love that, an ancient secret technique only known to the most experienced of DIY folk.
Most succinct explanation of tuning the scaling I've seen. I wish I'd known this years ago, would have saved me many headaches with an errant Source I had then.
also your tuning procedure explanation is brilliant... you dig perfectly the "counter intuitive " behavior..thanks again!
This is fascinating, I soldier electronic harnesses for a living and this is a great way for me to get into this hobby. Thank you 🙏
Ordered the VCO today as well, can’t wait to get learning
I pre-ordered this kit and cant wait to get my paws on it! Excited to learn some new skills!
How did it go?
I'm looking forward to see their take on VCF. I think it might be diodes based
Thanks for the info about the fine tuning!
Just echoing what others have said the tuning explanation was just what I needed to see and hear. Thanks a lot.
Nice, I just received mine today ! (only the VCO of course).
I got it the other day along with the filter. Those will be my debut in DIY 😁
thanks for this - your tuning procedure saved my sanity
Any time!
well done
Nice video. As always. Greetings from Germany
Great video, thank you for showing how to tune it. Regarding that, it seems like you chose a random position for the Coarse knob, why is that? Or is the knob supposed to not affect when the 1v/oct cv input is used?
well, it has to tune regardless of the knob position, so it doesn't matter much where it is when you calibrate it. It's about making sure one volt makes an octave change, that's all
I like that blue tray thing for building on... what is it?
just a silicon mat for electronics rework. You can find it on Ali Express, Amazon, Banggood...
excelente video como siempre ! me pregunto si le has podido agregar una llave selectora para el rango de octavas..gracias!!
Hola Maneco! No mano, los deje asi, no me hace falta ya que encuentro rapido la octava de oido solo girando el knob :)
@@QuincasMoreira obrigado!! muito bom vco!!!
I have finished the kit but the pitch is really high. I’m wondering if a cap in c10 will lower the pitch?
Thanks for taking us through the tuning process! Are there any other factors that may prevent an oscillator from tracking 1v/oct like faulty power or temperature? I have a couple oscillators that I can’t seem to get in tune over more than 1-2 octaves. One of them, I adjust the trim pot on the back to get it calibrated, but then it’ll start drifting off again even if it’s been warmed up for an hour. I sent it back to the manufacturer and they could not replicate the problem. The other one just won’t spread evenly across the octaves. I’ve tried 3 different cases, different voltage sources, patch cables, and ribbon power cables. I understand the process and have had success calibrating several other oscillators, but I’m stuck with these two modules that won’t track properly.
You could try removing the 2 transistors and replacing them with other BC548 & BC558's
They are vital in the CV to frequency conversion, and they may just be not a very well matched pair.
Thanks for the vid. My module works but the chips get really hot during use - too hot to touch. do you have any advice there.. is that normal?
I think if the module is working, don't worry about it too much :)
I just finished building the VCO. Everything is working except for the coarse pot. I get no change in pitch. When testing with a multimeter I do see a change in voltage however when touching the first wiper connection I do get a change in pitch. Does this sound like a cold solder joint? Thanks.
Update: resolved! I found three resistors I missed around the coarse pot. Two were vertical on the right and a third to the left that I don’t believe was in the physical screenshot but I found on the schematic. Additionally I had not soldered the pot left right links not wiper but on the pot. So user error of course!
Is there anywhere that has the parts list for this kit?
yes, here: www.ericasynths.lv/media/VCO_MANUAL_v2.pdf
Muito bom, tou curtindo muito ver seu canal! Gostei de conhecer esse kit de módulos especificamente, sou graduando em engenharia eletrônica e músico profissional e tou sempre pensando em ideias de como seria possível ensinar música e eletrônica de forma acessível mas no caso aqui no Brasil mesmo. Ninguém conhece sintetizadores modulares aqui, tanto que nem tenho, acho meio inacessível (só uso VCV Rack por enquanto). Eu trabalho fazendo pedais de guitarra mas pretendo construir em breve synths desse tipo pelo menos pra tirar uma onda e ter diferentes texturas pra usar no meu som..quem sabe um dia vira um produto maneiro desses para outros usarem também
Valeu Marco! Mas tem gente com modular no Brasil sim! Até construtores e fabricantes como Arthur Joly e Vinicius Brazil. Entra lá no grupo Modular.br no Facebook ;)
@@QuincasMoreira legal demais! Conheço o trabalho do Vinícius Brazil, ele é lenda! Vou entrar nesse grupo aí pra saber mais, ainda é um mundo a ser explorado e relativamente novo pra mim
Amigo, procure o canal LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER, diy puro, vai tirar muitos projetos de la!!
@@nrt3814 conheço muito! Sam Battle é brother :)
A little tip: dont measure resistors, this is a bad building practice. Get either a chart or a decoder and learn to look up the colour-bands. With a little practice you can soon identify components by sight.
As he said, he can't *_see_* the colours very well.
I've seen some with reddish browns, and brownish or orange-ish reds.
About 8% of males are red-green colour blind (including me) we can't reliably distinguish the red/green/brown bands, we have to use a meter.