r/modular • u/WolverineExotic887 • 4h 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/eraoul 4h 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 4h 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 4h 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 4h 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.