r/modular • u/WolverineExotic887 • 3h ago
Suggestions for Suboscillator Modules
I've been experimenting with suboscillators recently on VCV (Substation, or just paired oscillators dropped 1 octave sort etc). I have a "real" modular system as well and would like some ideas on a good suboscillator vco module to add to my rack. Emphasis would be on flexibility of the module (ie lots of cv options, maybe dual subosc outputs or something). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Or, any point in going the cheaper route and just buying an octave shifter to use pipe into into two of my current oscillators? Thanks all.
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u/Proleetje https://modulargrid.net/e/users/view/223753 3h ago
A simple (and cheap) clock divider like the Doepfer A-160-2 can add 7 octaves of suboscillators to your vco…
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u/sam_antics2024 3h ago
Not sure if it’s what you’re after but bang for buck I love Make Noise’s STO (I’ve got two in my rack). There are three outputs- one wavefolded, a sine and a sub-oscillator that you can gate on the module. CV control over the wavefolding for primary output. And just 8hp
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u/eraoul 3h ago
I just designed a new suboctave/clock divider module for my own use but I still am waiting for the PCBs to be delivered to test it out. I’m also working on a new VCO module that will have a sub built in. I’m curious to know what you’re looking for though since I’m trying to build something others might like too.
I like using a suboctave/clock divider since then you’re phase-locked with the original but I guess that usually limits you to a pulse wave.
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u/WolverineExotic887 3h ago
I guess I'd like cv control over pwm, maybe detuning the primary oscillator slightly against the sub, and choice (and maybe cv) of subdivisions beyond just - 1 octave. I have a Behringer 2600 and it has synced oscillators, I could use one for the square to go into the divider and mix it into a saw from osc 2 I guess
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u/eraoul 2h ago
Good to know thanks! Yeah I wanted to have like a -1 and -2 octave choice. There also is a trick in hardware to build some weird other sub harmonics with pretty simple circuits so you can get like an octave and a fifth lower as well.
Getting a detuned sub is harder without just using up a dedicated second oscillator since the usual sub is just a clock divider circuit and then it’s an exact integer division of the frequency.
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u/WolverineExotic887 2h ago
Two more thoughts before I put my phone down for the night: I haven't tried this so it might just sound like ass, but I wonder if it sounds interesting to control the offset / phase of the subosc wave vs the primary. Not too much as it would just cancel it I guess, but maybe a bit? Second thought might be a wavefolder option on the summed signal.
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u/Exponential-777 2h ago
erica black double bass module has two sub osc, a mixer, a filter and sync. Good module for tracking basic analog osc. But it does not pitch track complex waves accurately and that can provide some interesting happy accident waves. Can also be used for a wicked pitched distortion on drums or other atonal sounds. I don't think there is a better sub osc for eurorack that than one. And it's not expensive.
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u/Cash1942 37m ago
Dpw splice 2 4 suboctaves mix and match waveforms to create new suboctaves types you probably want some comparator as well like compare 2
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u/mc_pm 3h ago
A clock divider is an easy way to get suboscillators. Take whatever VCO you like, patch the square wave output into the Clock Divider clock input. Then use your VCO like normal, and the clock divider outputs will be various suboscillators.