Oscillators

Eurorack Oscillators (VCO - Voltage Controlled Oscillator)

Welcome to the section dedicated to Eurorack VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators) from Milk Audio Store. Oscillators in Eurorack format are essential building blocks for any modular synth setup. Our selection of Eurorack oscillators can meet all your needs, whether you're looking for something classic or something new and experimental.

What is an eurorack oscillator?

It is an oscillating circuit capable of generating simple waves with varying voltage and frequency through the use of a specific control voltage (CV). The sounds obtained with a modular system are the sum of a series of synthesis processes that are applied through the interaction of oscillators that generate simple waves.

The types of waveforms generated by an oscillator include the following

sine wave (sine wave): is a pure wave composed of only the fundamental frequency set, it has no harmonics;
square wave (square wave): is a wave composed of infinite odd harmonics relative to the fundamental frequency;
triangle wave (triangle wave): is a wave composed of infinite odd harmonics relative to the fundamental with decreasing amplitude;
sawtooth wave (sawtooth wave): is a wave composed of infinite even and odd harmonics relative to the fundamental with decreasing amplitude.

There are also digital oscillators(DCOs) that implement complex waves, which are nothing more than small segments of sampled audio that are playable through some specific Eurorack modules.

Types of Eurorack Oscillators

Eurorack oscillators are a powerful and versatile way to create sounds in any modular synthesis configuration. There are several types of eurorack oscillators, each with unique characteristics and capabilities. They are analog oscillators, digital oscillators (DCOs), subharmonic oscillators, wavetable oscillators, frequency modulation (FM) oscillators, and phase distortion (PD) oscillators. Let us take a closer look at each of them to better understand their differences.

1. Analog oscillators

An analog Eurorack VCO is an electronic circuit that produces a continuous range of voltage signals with varying frequencies through the use of a specific control voltage (CV). They produce classic sounds such as sine waves, square waves, triangle waves, and sawtooth waves that can be manipulated by adjusting parameters such as frequency or amplitude to achieve creative results.

2. Digital oscillator (DCO)

A DCO is similar to an analog VCO, but uses digitally stored samples rather than continuously generated voltages to generate sound waves that are then modulated by CV controls to achieve dynamic changes in pitch or other parameters over time. This type of module offers greater pitch stability than traditional analog designs by digitally generating the waveform.

3. Subharmonic oscillators - LFOs

Subharmonic oscillators (or LFOs, Low Frequency Oscillators) are a special type of VCO designed to produce low frequencies below the audible frequency range. They are very useful for modulating other oscillators, filters or other Eurorack modules.

4. Wavetable Oscillators

Wavetable oscillators allow waveforms to be shaped and modulated with a wide range of parameters, giving access to an incredibly diverse range of sounds. This type of module makes it easy to create evolving soundscapes that can be modified with ease.

5. Frequency-modulated (FM) oscillators.

FM oscillators use frequency modulation techniques to generate complex waveforms with harmonic content determined by the relationship between two or more carrier waves. This results in a much richer sound than can be obtained with conventional analog oscillators and offers almost endless possibilities for sound exploration.

6. Phase Distortion (PD Oscillator)

A PD oscillator is similar to an FM oscillator, but instead of modulating a carrier wave with another waveform, it modifies the phase of a single waveform to generate complex sounds. This type of module is ideal for creating melodic patterns and atmospheres or for exploring other creative sound design techniques.

Choose your Eurorack oscillator with support from our Staff

Milk Audio Store has a wide selection of eurorack oscillators to meet your needs. Browse our selection and find the perfect module for your sound design needs! If you have any questions about our Eurorack VCOs or need help finding the right module for your setup, please feel free to contact us.