Doepfer A-110 Standard VCO User Manual download pdf (Page 4)

A-110

VCO

System A - 100

doepfer

A symmetrical Pulse wave (i.e. an exact square

wave, with a pulse width of 50 %), has only odd

harmonics of its fundamental (see Fig. 3) and produ-

ces a typically hollow sound.

Fig. 3: Harmonic spectrum of a true square wave

The further the pulse width deviates from 50% (see

Fig. 2, b and c), the weaker the lower harmonics

become, and the more the sound gets thin and nasal.

Square waves are often used as a sound source in

subtractive (filtered) synthesis, because of their rich

overtones, and are good at producing woodwind-like

timbres.

Triangle wave

A triangle wave (VCO Output () is poor in upper

harmonics, and sounds softer and more mellow. It only

contains odd harmonics, whose strength decreases

exponentially - the third harmonic is a ninth as strong,

the fifth 1/25, and so on.

Fig. 4: Harmonic spectrum of a triangle wave

Because of their soft, rounded timbre, triangle waves

are ideal for synthesizing timbres like flute, organ and

vibes.

100%

Harmonics

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100%

Harmonics

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Doepfer A-110 Standard VCO User Manual Page 4