Haible Living VCOs 2016 by Random*Source

Bottom side (SMT parts are reflow soldered in):

LVCOs Audio Samples

The R*S edition of the Living VCOs comprises a number of additions and modifications compared to the original Haible board:

TRIANGLE wave output for each VCO - thanks to Ray Wilson from Music From Outer Space.
SINE wave output for each VCO - thanks to synth legend Thomas Henry.
Amplifier section for each VCO.
SYNC IN for each VCO.
Support for MAT14 (version 2017 - THAT300 in previous versions) supermatched transistor arrays (top side) or BCM847DS matched transistors (bottom side) instead of LM3046.*
Haible VCA/Distortion/Overdrive module on the driver board.
Optional audio mixer on the driver board.
pcb size: 8" x 4.1"(!)

Due to the added features, part count and density are very high on this board - this is not a project suitable for beginners. Any information given here is preliminary and subject to change - please compare against Jürgen's original documentation and do not simply rely on the files here.

Make sure you check your version before you start building!
Do not install both BCM847DS and MAT14s (v2017) (or THAT300s in version 2015)!

Order Info / Disclaimer

Please not that this is a DIY project with a rather large and fairly dense board so previous soldering- and DIY-experience is recommended.

Living VCOs 2017 pcb

Price: € 45 (including 9 BCM847DS matched transistors and 23 SMT bypass caps reflow soldered in) - OUT OF STOCK -

Price: € 84 (including 3 MAT14 supermatched transistors and 23 SMT bypass caps reflow soldered in) - OUT OF STOCK -

Building info

- only for the Haible Living VCOs by R*S - (not for the original Haible board) -

Power connectors: Please pay attention to the orientation: +V is at the top, -V at the bottom / edge of the board. The board marking may be incorrect / misleading for euro power connectors. Make sure you (double) check before powering up the board!!

Tracking and Calibration: the LVCOs are designed to imitate vintage oscillators and tracking and calibration of the original version have been perceived as challenging by some people. Based on some tests in Spice and real life it appears that on the R*S version with BCM847s or THATs decent tracking - according to Spice over 8 octaves(!) - and easy 1V/Oct calibration can be easily obtained by (i) using an OPA2134 for IC1x (top left on each oscillator) - instead of the TL072 Jürgen specified - and (ii) avoiding the HF compensation completely - it seems rather detrimental to tracking, so try to turn the HF trimmer(s) all the way down or use a link between pin 1 and 2 (center).

documentation

NEW: Silkscreen pcb version 2017 with reference designators

NEW: Silkscreen pcb version 2017 with values (12V in brackets) - see docs below

v2015 Silkscreen with reference designators

v2015 Silkscreen with suggested values for +/-12V operation

Bill of materials (BOM) with suggestions for PWM and tracking / HF comp.

Silkscreen with (original) reference designators and +V / -V markings

Schematics of Addons/Mods

Jürgen's original Living VCOs page

Please inform me by email (or via the contact form) about any errors you find - Thanks!

All information provided is strictly for personal / educational use only.
Please do not distribute / mirror.

Living VCOs Eurorack Frontpanel +
Panel interface pcb addon

As an addition to the Living VCOs main pcb, a front panel + panel interface pcb is available for Eurorack. Please note that the Eurorack bundle is an addon that requires a (generic) Living VCOs main pcb by Random*Source (available above) - this will not fit an original Haible Living VCOs pcb!

New: V1.01 of the panel pcb allows to choose the direction of the LINEAR DETUNE knobs and to change the taper of the Portamento knob by adding a resistor.

Build documentation: Haible Living VCOs for Euro 2016

The Random*Source LVCOs Euro bundle contains: