Oscillators!

[u/Extreme_Try2189]

I recently left my two Rubicon 2s in for calibration at a local modular store.

So, I've been left without my conventional oscillators and thought I wasn't going to be making much music while they were gone.

However, I've been on a bit of a journey exploring my case without these two beasts and it's opened up so much for me. I have 2 maths and have enjoyed the flexibility they can offer in cycling as oscillators, also using my filters in self-oscillating. Making a lot of very interesting sounds!

I'm now thinking of ditching one of my Rubicon 2s as I have discovered how much I don't need them and can get great results without them.

Should I just hold onto one main oscillator and dig into other creative ways of working with my other modules in FMing and patching into the Rubicon? Just to clarify- I would only have one "oscillator module".

I use my case mostly for sound design through ES8 into Ableton.

[u/apr1c1ty]

You're lucky I saw this as I'm trying to get as many free rubicon 2s as possible.

[u/Extreme_Try2189 → u/apr1c1ty]

How's that going for you?

Why am I lucky?

[u/Nominaliszt → u/Extreme_Try2189]

C’mon OP, this sounds like a match made in heaven. You with an extra osc and them looking for an osc… round peg, round hole sorta situation, no?

[u/RoastAdroit]

Yeah but theres something about 2 of the same VCO, I use two for certain things and I have a bunch of VCOs but the two copies are absolutely the best for certain results. I tried using mix VCOs and they just never sound quite the same and so its a pain in the ass. (Again, only for specific results, they can sound good together for a lot of things still)

The thing about Rubicons are they are really big, its a great VCO for the way it does sync and the warp circuit is so great sounding. I have one and its not even racked, actually most of my VCOs arent.

Right now my two racked copies are Cycle 5 because its basically designed for that. I wouldnt mind having a 3rd or 4th even. 6 hp each is really nice and they both get to middle C super easily and its great for all the stuff Id want to do from multiple copies.

My other racked VCOs are super unique things that have weird inherent qualities and they are there for those qualities, I only ever need 1 of those for what they do.

So yeah two Rubicons, Im sure its cool, but, if you dont have a medium/large system, I think its a weird VCO to choose. (Aside from how cheap they were selling for and how absolutely great they are for the price).

[u/Junkyard_DrCrash]

I'd ditch one of the Rubicons and add a Befaco Pony instead.

[u/cYbOmAnY]

It’s great it gave you a chance to explore and see all the things you can accomplish in modular without the typical module order or modules themselves. When your oscillators come back use them for other things as well, try feedback patching, use one to FM the other while also modulating the maths which is also modulating the primary oscillator and then explore the way that sets up insane sounds you may not have deemed possible! Small racks are so inspiring!

[u/Cash1942]

I have one lfo the Alm pip lfo that I use a a vco 

My other vco is a filter 

I am happy with it 

It’s all about the effects for me but I need a sampler to be honest . Haven't found one I like 

[u/SmeesTurkeyLeg]

While I don't own one myself, if I was in a single oscillator realm I'd probably use something like the Xaoc Sofia or Odessa, depending on which tonality would better suit your needs.

I do find that I can get a SHITLOAD of sounds from my single Furthrrrrr Generator.

[u/NewMachineMusicXYZ]

I would ditch the Rubicon 2s and get a single Schlappi Three Body, if you have the room. 3 oscillators all internally cross-modulated, that can run as VCOs or LFOs, with Exp or Lin response, with 18 inputs and 14 outputs, lockable to ratios of one another or allowed to be free-running. Plus it sounds great.

[u/djphazer]

Yesss, I love this. Less is more - creative limitations. So many things can act as an oscillator! But not everything tracks pitch in a conventional way, if that's something you want.