VCO Sync

Is there an easy way to just have (for example) an LFO synced to host tempo? I just want to modulate parameters synced to my project tempo and be able to set note duration for the time the LFO travels. (1/4 note, etc)

Also looking for an LFO that does square but with smoothing to keep the pops to a minimum. Any help would be greatly appreciated :slight_smile:

an easy way would be to use syncable LFOs
like the ones from Frozen Wsteland

another way is to reset a lfo with the clock
so that the lfo-curve restarts driven by the clock

A square wave LFO going through a low pass filter with a cutoff around 30 Hz does a good job.

For an all in one LFO, the Venom VCO Unit with frequency mode button set to LFO, waveform set to sine, shape mode button set to S curve, and shape knob fully clockwise does a great job eliminating pops. That still has very noticeable rounded corners though.

The Venom VCO Lab can do even better with built in saturation. Set sine level to 100%. Set mix level to 100%. Set sine shape mode to S curve. Set sine shape knob fully clockwise. Set Mix shape mode to saturate sum or saturate average. Use the shape knob to dial in the amount of saturation desired to square off the corners, yet still minimize pop.

I found putting a slew limiter in the path before it hits your target fixes the pops on a square LFO FYI :slight_smile:

Q105 Slew Limiter

Befaco Slew Limiter

Also BogAudio has smoothing.

Thanks for all the help! :slight_smile:

Also, since you can right-click and type in simple math equations in most places in VCV Rack, you can set the hz of an lfo to the equivalent bpm with the formula

bpm / 60 = quarter notes at that bpm

bpm / 60 / 2 = half notes

bpm / 60 / 4 = one bar

bpm / 60 * 2 = eighth notes

dotted and triplets are also possible, just multiply by (3/2) or (2/3):

bpm / 60 * (2/3)

bpm / 60 * (3/2)