sputnik-modular-variable-waveform-generator

Sputnik Modular Variable Waveform Generator

Buchla-inspired discrete triangle-core VCO with wave folding, saw animation, and hard sync

18 HP Eurorack module

The Sputnik Variable Waveform Generator is a Buchla-inspired discrete triangle-core analog VCO featuring hard sync, five dedicated waveform outputs (sub, pulse, sine, saw, and triangle), and extensive waveshaping capabilities. Each output section has its own animation circuit — wave folding on the sine, saw animation (double/triple saw), triangle overdrive, and pulse width modulation — all with dedicated sliders and CV inputs with attenuators. The module operates in both VCO and LFO modes and offers linear FM, exponential FM, and 1V/Oct tracking inputs.

Features

  • Discrete triangle-core analog oscillator (Buchla-inspired design)
  • Five simultaneous waveform outputs: sub, pulse, sine, saw, triangle
  • Hard sync input (unusual for triangle-core designs)
  • Sine wave folder with SYM/ASYM modes
  • Sawtooth animation with double/triple saw modes
  • Triangle overdrive with ODD/EVEN harmonic selection
  • Pulse width modulation with EDGE/CENTER modes
  • Sub-octave divider (-1 or -2 octave square wave)
  • VCO/LFO mode switch for audio or modulation rates
  • Linear FM input (AC-coupled) with attenuator
  • Exponential FM input (DC-coupled) with attenuator
  • 1V/Oct tracking input with very good accuracy

Controls & Jacks (30)

  • Sub Output— Sub-octave square wave output (-1 or -2 octaves below main pitch).
  • Pulse Output— Pulse/square waveform output with variable width.
  • Sine Output— Sine waveform output with optional wavefolding.
  • Saw Output— Sawtooth waveform output with optional animation.
  • Triangle Output— Triangle waveform output with optional overdrive.
  • -1/-2 OCT Select— Selects between -1 octave and -2 octave sub-oscillator division.
  • SYM/ASYM Select— Selects between symmetric and asymmetric waveshaping modes.
  • Double/Triple Select— Selects between double and triple frequency multiplication for waveshaping.
  • ODD/EVEN Select— Selects between odd and even harmonics for the sub-oscillator output.
  • Fine Tune— Fine-tunes the pitch for precise tuning adjustments.
  • VCO/LFO Select— Selects between VCO (audio rate) and LFO (low frequency) modes.
  • Frequency— Main frequency control. Sets the base pitch of the oscillator.
  • Pulse Width— Sets the pulse width of the pulse/square waveform output.
  • Sine Wave Fold— Controls the amount of wavefolding applied to the sine output.
  • Saw Animate— Controls the waveshaping animation amount on the sawtooth waveform.
  • Triangle Drive— Controls the overdrive/distortion amount on the triangle waveform.
  • Lin FM Attenuator— Attenuator for the linear FM CV input.
  • Exp FM Attenuator— Attenuator for the exponential FM CV input.
  • PWM CV Attenuator— Attenuator for the pulse width modulation CV input.
  • Fold CV Attenuator— Attenuator for the wave fold CV input.
  • Animate CV Attenuator— Attenuator for the saw animate CV input.
  • Drive CV Attenuator— Attenuator for the triangle drive CV input.
  • Lin FM Input— Linear frequency modulation input for through-zero FM.
  • Exp FM Input— Exponential frequency modulation input.
  • Sync Input— Hard sync input. Resets the oscillator phase on incoming triggers.
  • V/Oct Input— 1V/octave pitch tracking input for musical intervals.
  • PWM CV Input— CV input for pulse width modulation.
  • Fold CV Input— CV input for controlling sine wave fold amount.
  • Animate CV Input— CV input for controlling saw animate amount.
  • Drive CV Input— CV input for controlling triangle drive amount.

How-To Guides

  • Classic Hard Sync Sweep
  • Dynamic Wave Fold Drone
  • Thick Animated Saw Lead
  • Pseudo Ring Modulation

Explore the interactive Variable Waveform Generator panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.

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