Oscillators
WAVE select LEDs
These select the chosen oscillator’s waveform. To select the waveform, simply click on the red
LEDs as appropriate.
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) knob / PWM select LEDs
The function of the PWM knob is dependent on the selection made with the three LEDs to its
immediate right. With the POS setting selected, the position of the PWM knob will manually
control the pulse width of a square waveform (the selected waveform for the oscillator must be
square wave for this to happen).
With the PWM knob in the central position and with the square wave selected, the wave is a
perfect square wave and gives the characteristic ‘hollow’ quality not unlike a clarinet. As the
knob is adjusted clockwise or anticlockwise, the pulse width becomes narrower producing what
is known as a Pulse Wave.
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A pulse wave has a different complement of harmonics and sounds thinner and more ‘nasal’
and more like an oboe.
With LFO 2 selected, the width of the Pulse Wave may be modulated by LFO 2. The intensity
of this modulation is determined by the PWM knob. With the Pulse Width knob at central
position there is no effect. Turning clockwise or anticlockwise introduces the effect.
Continuous variation in the width of a pulse waveform (which is what is happening when LFO 2
is modulating it) changes the harmonic content. This is pleasing to the ear, especially at lower
pitches where all the associated harmonics fall within the audio range. This creates the classic
PWM sound, as described below.
When modulated by the MOD ENV, the effect is most apparent when using fairly long Mod
Env Attack and Decay times.
However, the PWM control on the V-Station is not limited only to varying the width or
‘symmetry’ of the square wave - it can also be used with the other waveforms available for each
of the V-Station’s oscillators (see the next page for details).
Obtaining a classic Square/Pulse PWM sound
The PWM sound is one of the classic analogue synthesizer sounds. Select one of the factory
initialisation sounds ( 311 - 499) All of these initial sounds use only Oscillator 1’s sawtooth wave
as the source waveform. Select the square waveform. Notice how the timbre changes from a
bright sound to a more ‘hollow’ sound. Select POS using the select LEDs.
Rotate the PWM knob and notice how the sound changes to a very thin nasal sound when the
knob is towards the clockwise or anticlockwise end stop positions. (If fact the sound will
extinguish completely at maximum settings). Leave the knob at the 12 o’clock position.
Select LFO 2 using the select LEDs. Slowly rotate the PWM knob. Notice that there will now be
some movement in the sound. Rotate LFO2’s SPEED knob and notice how the speed of the
movement will change. Experiment with the above controls until the desired sound is
achieved.
Obtaining a Double Saw detuned sound.
A thick ‘Double Saw’ detuned sound using just a single oscillator may be created easily. If
necessary this sound can be stacked using additional oscillators to produce a ‘huge’ sound.
Select one of the factory initialisation sounds ( 311 - 499). All of these initial sounds use only
Oscillator 1’s sawtooth wave as the source waveform. Select POS using the select LEDs.
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MAIN panel / Operation
