RANDOM*SOURCE
RANDOMSOURCE.NET
2
Serge NTO
WIDE FREQUENCY RANGE
The frequency range covers from below 16 to 16Khz. With control voltages, the range can be further extended from less than 0.1
Hz (10 sec/cycle) to greater than 100,000 Hz.
VARIETY OF WAVEFORM OUTPUTS
In addition to three standard waveforms (sine, triangle and sawtooth) of exceptional purity, the New Timbral Oscillator offers a
variable waveform output providing an amazingly varied range of sounds, unavailable on any other synthesizer. This waveform is
voltage controllable, allowing dynamic control of sound quality.
DYNAMIC DEPTH LINEAR FREQUENCY MODULATION
Dynamic depth frequency modulation is now available to the analog synthesist. Frequency modulation (FM), the modulation of
one oscillator by another, generates both harmonic overtones (found in most acoustic instrument sounds) and non-harmonic
overtones (bells, percussive, and electronic timbres). By varying the amplitude of the modulating oscillator, the richness or com-
plexity of the sound can be varied. However, with conventional FM, an annoying pitch shift occurs. With the New Timbral Oscilla-
tor, Linear FM avoids this pitch shift, making it possible to maintain accurate pitch control while changing the quality of sound. A
built-in VCA assures accuracy and provides dynamic voltage control of Linear FM Depth. Of course, conventional exponential FM
is also available on the New Timbral Oscillator.
The New Timbral Oscillator offers two voltage control inputs calibrated to one volt per octave and one variable voltage control
input. One of the calibrated inputs incorporates a variable Portamento. This allows gliding from pitch to pitch at a voltage-control-
lable rate, set at each oscillator rather than from the controller (such as a keyboard), and therefore independently variable at each
New Timbral Oscillator. All of the output levels are “hot”, greater than +4 db to ensure maximum signal-to-noise ratio.
New Timbral Oscillator Reloaded
It took 2 years of development, the kind help and support of a number of people - in particular of Serge him-
self! - and a crazy technical effort (including a multilayer pcbs, numerous precision parts and references, fancy
op-amps) to bring the NTO to SMT - the R*S version stays very close to the original NTO design, but avoids
obsolete parts and features a few additions and technical improvements:
•
New
PULSE output
(square wave) allows to
directly trigger DSGs, drive Pulse Dividers etc.
•
Oven temperature can be adjusted.
•
Precision parts (like 0.1% resistors) and preci-
sion voltage references to eliminate the effect of
fluctuations in temperature or power supply.
•
Direction of Portamento knob can be set to
taste.
•
No wiring needed.
The NTO by Random*Source is the only version
licensed and authorized by Serge.
