Chuckle. I still hold out hope someday you will be enticed to expand your oscillator horizons! I think I was close with XM-OP (I believe I saw a patch of yours that tried it). But the missing exponential response is a big deal - I’m working on it!
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@purf - Oh my. I just discovered another major component to the magic sound of the FM-OP. The feedback is post level. So the Level envelope also has an enormous effect on the feedback amount as well.
My XM-OP currently uses the raw waveform (sine by default) for feedback, pre level.
I think this is every bit as important as the exponential response, perhaps more so.
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I also usually start with an FM-OP to try out whatever sequencing or effects ideas I have in mind, especially if the voice is going to use a pluck envelope, because it’s so easy to just plug it in and go. Otherwise, I tend to reach for the Surge XT Classic VCO, because it sounds nice and I generally love how the Surge XT modulation inputs work.
I have been playing around with the XM-OP more recently, since it packs a lot of versatility into the same space as the FM-OP while still being pretty easy to use. I just did a side-by-side comparison with the FM-OP with the new settings @DaveVenom added, and wow, it really sounds identical to my ears. I need to explore more of the modulation options that it provides as well, because I can easily see it becoming my go-to VCO.
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Thanks! Venom’s XM-OP really is worth another look. Lots of different timbres in a compact module. Citing from Dave’s original message posted a couple of weeks ago:
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In most cases I use VCV Wavetable Oscillator or XFX Wave. Both for their timbral possibilities, and that they just work. When I want FM Squinky Kitchen Sink.
I use polyphonic processing a lot. If I try a module and it doesn’t handle polyphonic signals reasonably, I won’t use it again.
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XFX Wave (Blamsoft) is great!
With WT VCO (VCV), I must admit that I am having some problems with saving and loading custom wavetables:
Is it correct that a custom wavetable loaded into WT VCO is saved within the patch (.vcv)? Or is it just a link to the .wav file? I think the manual does not specify.
Also, when I load a custom wavetable, then duplicate (CTRL + D) the module, the WT is not copied. Similarly, saving then loading a module preset from the context menu (right-click > Preset > Load) does not load custom wavetables that were saved via (right-click > Preset > Save As). Same for exporting and importing the .vcvs.
The only procedure that seems to work as expected is to Load and Save the actual wavetable from the context menu.
Could anyone please confirm, or am I missing something?
For Support Ticket: I am using WIN10, latest version of VCV Rack.
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100% this! I’m obsessed with making everything polyphonic, particularly effects. If it’s not poly capable, it’s not much use to me.
Also, this is very similar to a previous thread. I don’t have a ‘go-to’ VCO, depends what I’m trying to do.
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My list (no preference order, but most used in mine racks are in bold font):
- Basal, Bleak (Vult)
- Macro Oscillator 2 / Plaits, Macro Oscillator / Braids (Audible Instruments)
- XM-OP (Venom)
- Pony (Befaco)
- XFX Wave (Blamsoft)
- Classic VCO, Sine VCO (SurgeXT)
- Black WaveTable VCO (Erica Synths)
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I can confirm that the presets do not recall, Ctrl+D works on my side but the whole wave table thing is kinda buggy…
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Yes, that’s correct. VCV WT only saves wavetables within the .VCV package but not within presets. If you’re dropping a wavetable with a different frame setting than the default setting, duplicating might not be copying over the settings. So, you’ll need to adjust the frame rate to match correctly. This might be a bug where it defaults to the original setting.
Surge XT WT stores the wavetable in base64 format within the preset, so it can be recalled easily that way.
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When talking VCO (analog inspired Voltage Controlled Oscillator), we should at least have 1 Noise source, right? My go-to noise source is Squinky Labs Colors. The integrated filter option (with modulation input) is a very useful one. It can deliver noise in…well…all colors.
Not just to mix in some noise directly into the audio path. Also as a (audiorate) modulation source (generally used in moderation).
Also great as an exciter signal or impulse into resonators (e.g. string/karplus-strong, comb filter or resonant/modal filter or waveguide/mesh) where the noise color (e.g. red, white or blue noise) very much affects the resulting sound.
Resonators themselves are not oscillators, since they will only oscillate/resonate after being excited by an exciter. So…resonators should probably not end up in this go-to VCO list. Although several resonators have integrated exciters…and can thus sort-of act as oscillators.
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Already wrote in ALM thread, liked new FMco osc. Particularly because builtin Chord knob, simple but very suitable for FM’ish textures imo. As well Trig input \ Decay knob combination, was managed to made some cool metallic percussions with sort of physical modelling character. Very recommend.
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Basal is absolutely unique, and I I have to force myself to always go to Basal for bass. If you put an envelope into Mod2 and tweak the mod level, you can get a nice plucked bass sound.
It also has semi-weird controls, the Mod1 being a form of phase distortion, the Mod2 adding harmonics.
Now I’m inspired to go off and mess with it again.
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A big +1 for Basal from me. I made a song in Cakewalk using Soundpaint’s P-Bass, then ported it to Rack using Basal with an envelope on the modulation just as you describe. My son (who is much more of a musician than I am) said “Yeah, that sounds better”. Sorry, Leo. 
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I totally agree! it’s the reason why I’ve mentioned it in bold. Excellent for basses, but also very good in mid-frequency ranges!
Vult’s Bleak is very interesting too, perhaps as complementary vs. Basal…
Second position is XM-OP by Venom (as simple oscillator, not FM). Also go to XFX Wave (by Blamsoft) for wavetable-based oscillator… (I remember I’ve bought all Blamsoft modules, when they’re paid, for $35 during April 2018, now they’re free 
). Erica Synth’s Black WaveTable VCO sounds fine too, but a bit complicated (IMHO).
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Another +1 for Basal. I made the “mistake” of using it in a couple recent patches, and now I can’t unhear it…
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Just a small update: I received a friendly response from VCV Tech support regarding WT VCV, saying that they are aware of the issue. They hope to fix it in a future version of VCV Rack.
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