PLAN B analog blog

Folks,

I received my two Plan B Model 15 VCOs today!  The unit I received for AHNE
2005 had some problems and had to go back to Peter but these two units work
great and track very nicely!

I haven't spent a great deal of time with the VCOs so this set of
observations is based on my first hour or so with the VCOs.

First, these are *very* full featured VCOs.  Variable wave shapes, PWM,
sync, multiple waveform outputs, sine output, you get the idea.  They
plugged into my Doepfer case just fine although Peter uses a power cable
orientation that is opposite the Doepfer standard.  -12V is up on top
instead of the bottom so you must be careful to plug the power in correctly!

The VCOs sound very good.  I was quickly able to get standard waveforms and
track over the 4 octaves of my CV keyboard with no problems.  The tracking
matched my existing Doepfer and ASys oscillators.

The fun begins with the FM inputs.  These seem to be more powerful and
musical than other VCOs.  Putting a fast EG into the FM input gets the
characteristic 'thunk' that Peter likes as well as lots of interesting, yet
controllable, FM effects.

The waveshape morphing is very cool and voltage controllable.  There were
some nice timbres I got just using this without much filtering.  The PWM is
also quite good sounding.

My only disappointment so far has been with the sync input.  This just may
require some more fiddling but I wasn't able to get that classic sync sweep
sound.  I got some interesting sounds but not quite what I expected.  Again,
this just may be my lack of time fiddling with it.

So, Plan B Model 15 VCOs are real, they sound great, and it sounds like
Peter is getting past his shipping hurdles.

    Eric