Modcan - FMVDO

The Modcan - FMVDO is a complex digital voltage-controlled oscillator, truly realised according to high-quality standards by Modcan. Let it be FM-synthesis which was made famous in the 80's or amplitude modulation or the more modern wavetable synthesis, this module is the quintessence of digital sound-generation in electronic music.

The Modcan - FMVDO represents a new breed of sound generation for the modular environment. The primary design goal was to implement a variety of digital synthesis techniques and to combine them together in one 12HP wide module

The most significant wave-shaping feature of the FMVDO utilizes the technique referred to as Two-Operator FM, providing a wide variety of timbres from mellow bell like tones to complex distortion.

The inclusion of harmonically rich sample based wave tables extends the complexity of the FM effect comparable to multi-operator systems.

AM (Amplitude Modulation) is also available on-board as is standard Exponential FM using the Expo FM Jack

Conventional analogue VCOs are modulated with externally generated signals from LFOs and secondary VCOs, instead the FMVDO provides superior FM stability with internally generated, phase locked, sine table modulator.

The FM Index function controls the amplitude or depth of the modulation while the Ratio control tunes the modulator to an integer frequency value relative to the carrier frequency.

Phase locking the modulator with the carrier produces beat-free timbres that retain spectral relationships over the entire frequency range. The Ratio can also be switched to provide non-integer ratios for inharmonic periodic sounds.

The FMVDO includes standard VCO wave forms and adds several sample based wave tables. Pulse width modulation and hard sync are also supported.

Switch selectable quantized pitch tracking in semi-tone steps or non-quantized continuous frequency control with fine tune.

Firmware by DSP designer Eric Brombaugh.

Features:

32-bit NCO - 50 micro-Hertz resolution (no zippering)

Phase-locked FM/PM gives beat-free modulation

32 real-time voltage controlled modulation/carrier ratios

Integer and non-integer modulation/carrier ratios for complex sub-harmonics switch selectable

Modulation index range from 0 to 314% for a wide range of continuously varying wave shapes.

Real-time voltage-controlled modulation index for subtle wave shaping

32-bit pseudo-random noise generator - won't repeat for 119 hours at highest frequency setting; longer at lower frequencies.

Voltage controlled selection of 16 wave forms

Quadrature secondary output at 90 degrees out of phase

Amplitude and Pulse width Modulation AM/PWM

Switch selectable quantized 1V/Oct input

Audio and LFO range frequency

Voltage controlled FM Index and modulation Ratio

Crystal tuning stability with +/-0.005% pitch tracking accuracy over 18 octaves

12HP wide approx. 1" deep

Waves:

Sine

Triangle

Saw

Square w/PWM

Double Pulse w/PWM

Random Stepped (with CV controlled variable interpolation)

10 sample based wave tables

Specs:

Frequency Range: 18 Octaves

High 10Hz-10kHz

Low .040Hz-40Hz

Output: +/-5V or 10Vpk-pk @1Kohms

Input CV 0-10V @100Kohms

Current: 80mA@+12V, 10mA@-12V