The Graphic VCO has definitely been slept on a bit. It's early 6 years old (retiree age for the fast moving Eurorack world) but it still offers lots to get into.
It's a great module. I hadn't heard of it either, I picked up one at their recent B-stock sale. Matrix mode is so fun I haven't really gotten to exploring much of the other stuff yet.
So underrated. I recently reacquired after selling it previously. The secret sauce is that Phase distortion. It's a Casio CZ with wavetables! Lately, I've just been taking any random wavetables or drawn wave and applying phase distortion. It sounds SO good, both modulating the phase distortion at LFO or audio-rate speeds, or externally with envelopes or other mod sources. If you phase distort squarish waves you get PWM. The basic wavetable has a stepped square wave and phase distorting that you can get the center PWM like in the SSF Zephyr.
I grabbed it before the drum mode was added. Now it hardly leaves it :v I especially like the very configurable I/O, makes it a lot easier to integrate with others' systems.
great video of the most underrated dvco. it was my second module ever and its been in my rack since then. the randomizer feature is great. its a preset creator great way to start from somewhere fast and tune from there. the scope is also a good add. sometimes i just use it to check a signal that im not even using in the module itself.
This was the first voice I bought and since I’ve had it for years I have it disconnected to save the screen, because it still lack screensaver. I contacted Erica Synths and suggested screensaver, improved wavetable modulation latency and to implement the custom wavetable import via usb that was and still is advertised as a feature. Also requested them to open source the firmware. They replied that they have noted the suggestions.
Fun review! I love my GVCO. The only gripe I have is that Erica disabled the phase per harmonic menu. In the additive menu, all harmonics are currently set to the same position, but that value is arbitrary, and can be changed simply by inserting a variable, then defining it. It is no more processing power, the calculation of the harmonic is exactly the same, it's just starting the cycle in a different position along each sine wave (which you have to do anyway). Now on its own, it's not really noticeable, however, If you have TWO GVCO's and you can phase lock them, basically the same way you'd trigger the drum mode, by using one as the FM source for the second, for the price of two GVCO's, some envelopes or LFO's, and VCA's you can essentially create the front end of a SYNCLAVIER 2 for a fraction of the cost. (!!!!) Maybe even more powerful because instead of being confined to a sequential set of frames on a linear wavetable, the GVCO allows you to arbitrarily traverse biaxial wave fields. Now THAT is some serious synthesis power. No latency, no bullshit, and you don't have to spend a fortune to create complex evolving tones that are unique and capable of going from angelic to the fuel of nightmares and anywhere in between in an instant. Sadly, I discussed it with Erica's engineers and could not convince them to re-implement the menu along with the phase lock capability, and I know it CAN be done, the processor WILL handle it. I know the wave phase can be restarted manually in the SUB menu, so it's also possible to receive a trigger/gate/rise to retrigger the oscillator from a CV input as well. Really, the only thing holding Erica back from doing this is more requests to do it. So if the front end of a Synclavier 2 sounds like something interesting, reach out to Erica Synths, and ask them to do an OS update that features these two items. Let them know that such a thing will sell more units because it takes two GVCO's to really make this work, and that if it had these features, you would buy two. Food for thought...or...fuck it, it's pretty cool as it is. Edit: Also, I noticed you fooling with the tuning knob, however, as per request, a FINE TUNE parameter was added, accessible by pressing and holding the right knob as you turn it in most modes. ;) Also, in Matrix mode, small boxes seem to work best to get the most intricate and controlled sounds. Big boxes tend to skip over sweet spots. Lots of happy accidents, but when you've spent some time programming your own waves and tables, it's cool to be able to work intentionally.
@@jimspectre That could be cool, but I haven't a clue what kind of code it uses or who to talk to about editing the code, outside of the engineers at Erica. I just know enough of the math side of things to be dangerous. Regarding a GVCO2, etc., I had talked with a couple of folks about different firmwares like a more percussion based one with a possible reface but identical hardware. Imagine parasites type variations for the GVCO!
Hey, is anyone here having trouble getting the Erica synths graphic VCO to play in tune? I’ve calibrated it and tried everything I could find online. I’ve tried turning the internal quantizer on and off, tried using an external quantizer, nothing works.
How does the Matrix Mode compare to the Modbap Osiris and its 2D Wavetable setup? I've had my eye on the Graphic VCO for a while, so thanks for showcasing it here and making this video!
Love wavetables and have quote Some modules of Erica, this G vco is a bit of an oldy. Is there still being worked on firmware? Is it possible to upload user wavetables?
What is the visual effect / what's causing it when the screen gets a hand in the way? Something with how it's processed or captured or inserted? I am largely ignorant of video production, but curious.
Anyone have thoughts on this or the Modbap Osiris. Im debating which one to grab and cant try either before buying 🥲 Personally Im leaning to Modbap bc Im not huge on menus
The Graphic VCO has definitely been slept on a bit. It's early 6 years old (retiree age for the fast moving Eurorack world) but it still offers lots to get into.
It's a way cooler VCO than I imagined, but wow, that track. Your music is soo good.
It's a great module. I hadn't heard of it either, I picked up one at their recent B-stock sale. Matrix mode is so fun I haven't really gotten to exploring much of the other stuff yet.
So underrated. I recently reacquired after selling it previously. The secret sauce is that Phase distortion. It's a Casio CZ with wavetables! Lately, I've just been taking any random wavetables or drawn wave and applying phase distortion. It sounds SO good, both modulating the phase distortion at LFO or audio-rate speeds, or externally with envelopes or other mod sources. If you phase distort squarish waves you get PWM. The basic wavetable has a stepped square wave and phase distorting that you can get the center PWM like in the SSF Zephyr.
I grabbed it before the drum mode was added. Now it hardly leaves it :v
I especially like the very configurable I/O, makes it a lot easier to integrate with others' systems.
Graphic VCO was one of my favorite VCO's when I was hard in the modular paint. In fact, I love pretty much all of Erica Synth's modules!!
11:56 great sounds
I have been thinking about picking one of these up and this video may have just clinched that. Nice demonstration and explanation!
Such a cool review! Infectious beats you've got.
I got one last year, and man it is awesome for some of those cold digital sounds, right in the sweet spot for that distinctive low-fi into analog ice
Such a wicked module. Easily my favourite.
Very cool! I had no idea it was this deep
great video of the most underrated dvco. it was my second module ever and its been in my rack since then. the randomizer feature is great. its a preset creator great way to start from somewhere fast and tune from there. the scope is also a good add. sometimes i just use it to check a signal that im not even using in the module itself.
This was the first voice I bought and since I’ve had it for years I have it disconnected to save the screen, because it still lack screensaver. I contacted Erica Synths and suggested screensaver, improved wavetable modulation latency and to implement the custom wavetable import via usb that was and still is advertised as a feature. Also requested them to open source the firmware. They replied that they have noted the suggestions.
Good visual feedback on these cool sounds..nice module
Great now I want one too !
"pluggy pluggy and pluggy pluggy" is going to infect my patching
22:00 in some knarley ish. well done govnah
Fun review! I love my GVCO. The only gripe I have is that Erica disabled the phase per harmonic menu. In the additive menu, all harmonics are currently set to the same position, but that value is arbitrary, and can be changed simply by inserting a variable, then defining it. It is no more processing power, the calculation of the harmonic is exactly the same, it's just starting the cycle in a different position along each sine wave (which you have to do anyway). Now on its own, it's not really noticeable, however, If you have TWO GVCO's and you can phase lock them, basically the same way you'd trigger the drum mode, by using one as the FM source for the second, for the price of two GVCO's, some envelopes or LFO's, and VCA's you can essentially create the front end of a SYNCLAVIER 2 for a fraction of the cost. (!!!!) Maybe even more powerful because instead of being confined to a sequential set of frames on a linear wavetable, the GVCO allows you to arbitrarily traverse biaxial wave fields. Now THAT is some serious synthesis power. No latency, no bullshit, and you don't have to spend a fortune to create complex evolving tones that are unique and capable of going from angelic to the fuel of nightmares and anywhere in between in an instant.
Sadly, I discussed it with Erica's engineers and could not convince them to re-implement the menu along with the phase lock capability, and I know it CAN be done, the processor WILL handle it. I know the wave phase can be restarted manually in the SUB menu, so it's also possible to receive a trigger/gate/rise to retrigger the oscillator from a CV input as well. Really, the only thing holding Erica back from doing this is more requests to do it. So if the front end of a Synclavier 2 sounds like something interesting, reach out to Erica Synths, and ask them to do an OS update that features these two items. Let them know that such a thing will sell more units because it takes two GVCO's to really make this work, and that if it had these features, you would buy two.
Food for thought...or...fuck it, it's pretty cool as it is.
Edit: Also, I noticed you fooling with the tuning knob, however, as per request, a FINE TUNE parameter was added, accessible by pressing and holding the right knob as you turn it in most modes. ;)
Also, in Matrix mode, small boxes seem to work best to get the most intricate and controlled sounds. Big boxes tend to skip over sweet spots. Lots of happy accidents, but when you've spent some time programming your own waves and tables, it's cool to be able to work intentionally.
I have hope they’ll open source the firmware. This module can easily get a renewed upswing without making a Gvco 2
@@jimspectre That could be cool, but I haven't a clue what kind of code it uses or who to talk to about editing the code, outside of the engineers at Erica. I just know enough of the math side of things to be dangerous.
Regarding a GVCO2, etc., I had talked with a couple of folks about different firmwares like a more percussion based one with a possible reface but identical hardware.
Imagine parasites type variations for the GVCO!
Hey, is anyone here having trouble getting the Erica synths graphic VCO to play in tune? I’ve calibrated it and tried everything I could find online. I’ve tried turning the internal quantizer on and off, tried using an external quantizer, nothing works.
unrealated to the video , i think you should rename the channel so we have a red means recording and a blue means modular
How does the Matrix Mode compare to the Modbap Osiris and its 2D Wavetable setup? I've had my eye on the Graphic VCO for a while, so thanks for showcasing it here and making this video!
love this channel i dont know how i havent found it before since ive been manifesting a red means recording modular-specific channel before
Love wavetables and have quote Some modules of Erica, this G vco is a bit of an oldy. Is there still being worked on firmware? Is it possible to upload user wavetables?
Curious if you had more time with it, still feels fun? read some complains about it at mod wiggle forum but want to try it out myself
what brand is the big blank panel at the bottom right?
Hello! Which is reverb/delay you use on this video?
Hooray :^
Is this what you used on Since Legion?
What is the visual effect / what's causing it when the screen gets a hand in the way? Something with how it's processed or captured or inserted? I am largely ignorant of video production, but curious.
Oh, 7 mins in, and J man answered in video!
I think this module has been discontinued. In the outlet right now
😽
modular goes digital ...... vsti do it better - stay anal-log
no
Which firmware is that thing ?
1.1
Anyone have thoughts on this or the Modbap Osiris. Im debating which one to grab and cant try either before buying 🥲
Personally Im leaning to Modbap bc Im not huge on menus