Need help with Polysix external LFO to modulate VCO

[brian_spratt]

When I hook up an external LFO (tried Thor and Pulsar) and route it to my MG/LFO in Polysix set to the VCO (pitch), I'm not getting the sine wave shape I'm expecting.  If I route my LFO to VCF or VCA I do get the sine wave shape I'm expecting but as soon as I switch it over to VCO, I get what is basically my sine wave shape but within each wave cycle the pitch goes right back to neutral multiple times, so the pitch ends up doing this:


0   +1   0   +2   0   +3   0   +2   0   +1   0   -1   0   -2   0   -3   0   -2   0   -1   0   +1 (repeat)

instead of:

0   +1   +2   +3   +2   +1   0   -1   -2   -3   -2   -1   0 (repeat)

I'm very much a noob when it comes to CV routing, but I know my way around Reason very well otherwise, so I'm probably missing some basic concept or quirk of the Polysix. Thoughts?

[rcbuse]

When I hook up an external LFO (tried Thor and Pulsar) and route it to my MG/LFO in Polysix set to the VCO (pitch), I'm not getting the sine wave shape I'm expecting.  If I route my LFO to VCF or VCA I do get the sine wave shape I'm expecting but as soon as I switch it over to VCO, I get what is basically my sine wave shape but within each wave cycle the pitch goes right back to neutral multiple times, so the pitch ends up doing this:


0   +1   0   +2   0   +3   0   +2   0   +1   0   -1   0   -2   0   -3   0   -2   0   -1   0   +1 (repeat)

instead of:

0   +1   +2   +3   +2   +1   0   -1   -2   -3   -2   -1   0 (repeat)

I'm very much a noob when it comes to CV routing, but I know my way around Reason very well otherwise, so I'm probably missing some basic concept or quirk of the Polysix. Thoughts?

It sounds like you have two modulations to your VCO.  Can you post a screenshot or upload a patch?

[brian_spratt]

Thanks, here you go.


 

[rcbuse]

Ah, okay right..  so what you are doing is using the CV to modulate the MG level, which is already a modulation, would sound exactly like you describe.  Something like this, but probably smoother:

 
 
There doesn't appear to be any way to route CV1 directly to VCO pitch in the Polysix.  So your best bet it to wrap the Polysix in a combinator, route the pulsar into the combinator's CV1, then use the combinator's programmer to route CV1 to Polysix's Tune or Pitchbend.

[manisnotabird]

The LFO from the Pulsar is modulating the amount of the Polysix's built-in LFO. The "MG" is wiggling the pitch, and the CV from the Pulsar is wiggling the amount of "MG".

Edit: what rcbuse said.

[brian_spratt]

Okay, thanks for the info.  That makes sense and I'll try that combinator option as well. 

[manisnotabird]

If you are just trying to modulate the VCO's pitch, you can just raise the "amount" on the MG section, or "vibrato intensity".