VCOs 1 and 2 are exponential, like the ones on the most famous original
synthesizers. That gives them a musical, slightly unpredictable character,
because the pitch drifts a little over time. You may have to auto-tune the
instrument every once in a while (hold down Panel and Keyboard Track).
VCO 3 is a multi-function oscillator. It can be used as a sound source and as an
extra modulator, and its pitch is more stable due to its being linear.
4.3.1. VCOs 1 and 2
The only difference between these two VCOs is that VCO 1 can be routed into
VCO 2 to modulate it (this is called frequency modulation , or FM). Both VCOs
operate the same way.
The controls are laid out so the top knob refines the more fundamental setting of
the knob below it.
Coarse adjusts the pitch ± 2 octaves in semitone steps. The light comes on when
it is centered, when you're up or down one octave, and when you reach two
octaves.
Fine adjusts the pitch continuously up to ± 1 semitone.
4.3.2. Sub oscillator
The sub oscillator is combined with the mixable waveforms (discussed next), an
octave below them.
Sub adjusts the level.
The waveform selection knob above it sweeps the sub wavefom between a pure
sinewave to the left and a clipped one, which sounds buzzier, to the right.
4.3.3. Mixable waveforms
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Arturia - MatrixBrute Manual - Operation