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Q169 Oscillator++
Oct 25, 2021
The Q169 Oscillator++ module combines
two audio oscillators offering an amazing
array of cross-modulation possibilities, along
with an LFO, envelope generator and sam-
ple-and-hold functions - all gracefully orga-
nized on a triple-wide 5U panel.
Oscillator++ can be used as a dual oscillator
in a traditional synth patch, as a stand-alone
voice, as a pair of FM operators for additive
synthesis, as independent functions, or as a
complex modulation source. Go from tame
to chaos with the turn of a knob.
Both audio oscillators are paired with a VC
amplifier, and each can modulate the others
pitch, pulse width and amplitude at the same
time and in variable amounts. A cross-
modulation extravaganza!
The Q169 is the equivalent of 10 modules
and 20 patch cables arranged in a musically
-useful and understandable way. Configura-
tions you probably wouldn't patch naturally
are easily accessible. Oscillator++ is com-
plexity dignified.
The optional Q168 Aid module provides
patch points for LFO waveforms, the enve-
lope, noise, S&H and a multi-purpose invert-
able attenuator.
Q169 Oscillator++ Specifications
Panel Size: Triple Width 6.375"w x 8.75" (Moog Unit Format)
Input/Output Signals: 10Vpp
Control Voltage Signals: 0-5V unipolar or 10Vpp bipolar
Gate Signals: 5V
Pitch CV Response: 1V/Octave
Pitch Tracking Range: 10+ Octave
VCA Response: Linear
LFO Range: .01hz - 20hz
EG Speed: 10s - 10ms
Power Requirement: +15V@150ma, -15V@150ma, +5V@10ma. Synthesizers.com standard.
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Summary of Contents for Synthesizers.com Q169 Oscillator++
- Page 1 Control Voltage Signals: 0-5V unipolar or 10Vpp bipolar Gate Signals: 5V Pitch CV Response: 1V/Octave Pitch Tracking Range: 10+ Octave VCA Response: Linear LFO Range: .01hz - 20hz EG Speed: 10s - 10ms Power Requirement: +15V@150ma, -15V@150ma, +5V@10ma. Synthesizers.com standard.
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Q169 Oscillator++ Panel Overview The Q169 module consists of more than 10 function blocks - two VCOs, each with its own VCA and glide, an LFO, Envelope Generator, Mixer, Sample & Hold, and more. VCOs offer extensive cross-modulation of pitch, pulse width and amplitude with easy connection to the LFO, EG and external signals. LFO and Oscillator #1 Envelope... - Page 3 Q169 Oscillator++ Functional Diagram Freq Pot Wave Range Sw Triangle Selector Slew Invert Sw 1V/Oct Wave Shapers Pitch modulation Switch Pitch Jack AMP IN Sync PWM IN AMP IN Switch Switch Jack Jack Noise Source AS/ASR Speed Attack Envelope Generator Decay Range Gate...
- Page 4 Q169 Oscillator++ Q168 Oscillator++ Aid The optional Q168 module provides additional features to the Q169 by giving access to several of the Q169's internal signals including the LFO waveforms, envelope generator, noise source, and sample & hold. A sustain knob replaces the AD/ASR switch providing a complete ADSR envelope. Also included is an invertable attenuator with offset control that can also be used as a voltage source.
- Page 5 Q169 Oscillator++ Oscillator #1 and #2 The foundation of the Oscillator++ module are two precision triangle-core VCOs (Voltage Controlled Os- cillator) - #1 on the left side, #2 on the right side. Triangle cores don't have a reset glitch like sawtooth cores and produce smoother Sine and Triangle waves.
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Page 6: Oscillator #2
Q169 Oscillator++ Pitch Control Pitch, note, frequency all Both oscillators offer multiple ways to control the most important aspect describe the same thing. of their sound - pitch. Manual Control The large knob at the top of each oscillator provides fine tuning of the pitch - plus or minus 1/2 octave from center. -
Page 7: Sample & Hold
Q169 Oscillator++ Inverting Waveforms Each oscillator provides control over the polarity of its waveform. Oscillator #1 provides manual control using the INV switch located next to the waveform selector. This can be useful when using the oscillator as a modulator while being sync'd to the GATE input. - Page 8 Q169 Oscillator++ Modulation Section The magic of the Q169 module is the modulation possibilities and their easy access. Modulation is just a fancy word for having one signal change something about another signal. For each oscillator, three things can be modulated - Pulse width, waveform amplitude, and pitch. These three things can be modu- lated by the LFO, by the Envelope Generator, by the other oscillator, by an external signal into the jack, or manually controlled by the knob.
- Page 9 Q169 Oscillator++ The center-top section of the module is an LFO. The output of the LFO is a sine wave and used for modulation. You'll see the LFO label several places in the modulation section - for PWM, amplitude (tremolo), and pitch (vibrato). Speed of the LFO is set by the knob and the range switch selects between slow, very slow and off.
- Page 10 Q169 Oscillator++ Dual Oscillator Voice Patch The Q169 is super easy to patch, even complex patches that you wouldn't normally do. In this example Oscillator++ is being used as a complete dual-oscillator voice using the built-in VCAs and envelope gen- erator.
- Page 11 Q169 Oscillator++ Dual Oscillator Cross Modulation Patch Cross-modulation is having each oscillator's output modulate the pitch of the other while listening to one or both of them. With the Q169, cross-modulation is easy - set the pitch modulation toggle switch to the center position where [1] or [2] shows that the source is the other oscillator.
- Page 12 Q169 Oscillator++ VC Inversion Patch VCI (Voltage controlled inversion) is an interesting effect where one oscillator's output controls the polarity of the other oscillator's waveform. In this particular patch, the amplifiers are set to full for use with an ex- ternal VCA/EG, but you can also use the internal EG to control them for stand-alone operation.
- Page 13 Q169 Oscillator++ Sample and Hold Patch A sample and hold circuit takes an input and freezes it at every clock pulse. This captured signal is its output until the next clock pulse captures the next input value. The Q169's built-in S&H circuit takes its input from VCO #1 and is clocked by the internal LFO.
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