Analog Oscillator Comparison

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It is often stated that all oscillators sound alike, and that it is really difficult to discern one oscillator from another, be them analog or digital. I have received a lot of flack regarding my statement that the triangle wave on the Minimoog is special.
So, as a result, I thought it might be interesting to take three of the most popular analog synthesizers and put their oscillators (and filters) to the test.
And you! Can you tell which is which?
The first part of the video demonstrates the waveforms of each synth without naming them. See if you can guess.
Moog Minimoog
ARP 2600
Korg MS-20

State your findings in the comments!

Channel: Music
Uploaded: June 10, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Author: AutomaticGainsay

Length: 00:05:19
Rating: 4.88
Views: 7761

Tags: analog synthesizer synth oscillator moog korg arp 2600 minimoog MS-20 marc doty

Video Comments:
Amishman35 (September 10, 2008 at 4:33 pm)
2:36 sounds like when you boot up a certain Super NES game.
jazzm4tazz (August 29, 2008 at 10:21 am)
not much of a blind test since the ARP 2600 is a 1/4 tone lower! but cool video...
AutomaticGainsay (August 29, 2008 at 7:08 pm)
Well, now you've given it away, haven't you. ; )
FinbarDink (August 23, 2008 at 3:12 pm)
And triangle will have the same effect. Although the duty cycle isnt adjustable on the front panel, there might still be trimpots inside, or variations in component acuracy, or just more acurate electronics, that will cause variations in it's symetry. And likewise start to add in more of the even harmonics.

My sugestion would be to plonk em through a spectum analizer anc check the harmonic series. It'd be plain as day there. ;-)
AutomaticGainsay (August 23, 2008 at 6:57 pm)
Hey, thanks for your comments! Interesting and informative!
FinbarDink (August 23, 2008 at 3:04 pm)
One thing worth remembering is that even a tiny amount of offset in the square duty cycle will add in a load of extra harmonics. It's probably easiest to see with software as you can get exact with that. But you really need an exact 50/50 duty cycle to get a pure square. 49/51 will add in all the even harmonics, and will sound a lot richer and less like a pure square.

It was fairly obvious between the squares in your video. Synth A was much closer to a pure 50/50 than the other two.
lymph12 (August 17, 2008 at 10:38 am)
The triangle wave of A sounds alot different from that od B and C
AutomaticGainsay (August 13, 2008 at 5:04 pm)
Thanks for your comments! Sadly, the only way to know how enjoyable these synths are to play is to play them! The next best way to get information on them is to watch my other videos, which explore their sound and functionality better than a mere waveform comparison! : )
codecxo (September 2, 2008 at 11:40 am)
You should send them to me.
AutomaticGainsay (September 2, 2008 at 5:50 pm)
I'll throw them in the mail. ; )