In this patch I create a 4 note sequence with one voice using only Venom VCO Unit modules (plus some delay and reverb effects at the end).

There are 5 different functions covered by the VCO Unit:

1) Clock / Sequencer

This one is fairly straight forward. There are 3 VCO Units in LFO mode using square waves. The lowest frequency syncs the other two to keep them in phase. The middle frequency is one octave up, and the high frequency is two octaves up. The two lower frequency outputs are attenuated by the Level and summed to give a pleasing V/Oct sequence, and the highest frequency output clocks and syncs the rest of the patch.

2) VCO (audio rate)

This is as obvious as it gets. Some shape and linear FM modulation is thrown in to get an interesting sound.

3) LFOs

Again, these are obvious. The first LFO modulates the Level of the second, and the second modulates the envelope generator.

4) Envelope Generator

Now it gets interesting. The VCO Unit is in LFO retrigger single shot mode using the triangle wave form and skew shape mode. The shape varies from descending ramp to triangle to ascending ramp. The shape modulation adds interesting spikes to the envelope. Because the modulation itself is modulated, the intensity of the spikes varies. The envelope is triggered by the “clock” LFO.

5) VCA

This is the least obvious use. The VCO Unit is in 0 Hz carrier mode without any FM or phase modulation. The triggers at the sync input guarantee that the 0 Hz signal is always at phase 0, meaning the oscillator output would be constant 0V. The envelope at the Level input attenuates the signal appearing at the Offset input. It ends up functioning as a very standard VCA.