# A beginner's guide to the components of a modular synthesizer

**URL:** <https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/a-beginners-guide-to-the-components-of-a-modular-synthesizer/1070>\
**Category:** FAQ\
**Created:** [May 30, 2020, 10:14am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/a-beginners-guide-to-the-components-of-a-modular-synthesizer/1070 "2020-05-30T10:14:50Z")\
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**Author:** ![Maxhirez](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/maxhirez/32/42_2.png) [@Maxhirez](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Maxhirez)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/a-beginners-guide-to-the-components-of-a-modular-synthesizer/1070/13 "2020-05-31T00:08:24Z")

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**COMPLEX OSCILLATOR**  
A complex oscillator differs slightly from a VCO in that it contains at least two oscillators, one of which is intended as a “wave-shaper” to the other.

 ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/9/9a18a07bbe9e4f86fd7d0f89c451adac7d67b1b6.jpeg)  
There are a variety of configurations, brands and models, but in general a Dual Complex Oscillator will have 2 oscillators, some kind of bus to allow the cross modulation and some form of waveshaper on the output of one of the oscillators. 1V/Oct is standard voltage to pitch, though often in this type of oscillator (particularly Buchla and Serge) will be tuned at 1.2v/Oct. On the DPO (pictured) you also have voltage control over Linear and Exponential response, shape of the modulation wave, Follow (for hard sync,) and a separate FM bus leaving the modulation bus open for other wave shapes to “fold” the signal.

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