The Five12 QV-L has become a favorite amongst Eurorack enthusiasts for good reason. As a quad variable low-frequency oscillator (LFO), it offers an impressive list of features and capabilities, providing a versatile tool for synthesists eager to explore new sonic possibilities.
With firmware 0.9.0, the QV-L introduces a myriad of waveforms to play with. Traditional shapes like Sine, Triangle, Saw Up, Saw Down, and Square are at your disposal, each coming with variable shape controls, notably pulse-width for the square wave. Exploration continues with the inclusion of Shark Left and Shark Right waves, quite useful when one wishes to infuse their sound with a jagged edge.
Intrigue doesn't stop there. Sample & Hold, with selectable sources, provides uncanny variation. Three distinct morphing waves are available, transforming from Sine to Tri, Saw to Tri, and Saw to Square, for waves that metamorphose over time. Stair-step waves in upward, downward and bidirectional configurations add arpeggio-like variation, while multi-shape-sequenced waveforms combine sine, saw, and square in a rhythmic pattern or allow for a variable pulse-width square sequence to be tapped into.
In a pursuit of sonic chaos, the QV-L caters to the explorative sound designer with three unique waveform generators: The Lorenz attractor creating a chaotic three-output waveform; a Perlin-style random waveform that reminisces of the subtleness of natural movement or flowing water; and the Logistic Map, another chaotic waveform generator. This addition unlocks a world of unusual and unpredictable tonal structures that can at any moment spiral into magnificent chaos.
To maintain precision and control over these broad sonic landscapes, a variety of LFO rate modes are provided. Two logarithmic responses (Wide and Slow) cover your traditional needs. There's a Hz mode for specifying a rate between 1Hz and 246Hz, along with three tempo-based modes: 16th, Beat, and Bar. These facets widen the QV-L’s operability, easing the integration of your LFO’s tempo with the internal clock or a tempo-synced external module, such as a Vector Sequencer.
Following the modulation path finds us two simple, linear envelope generators (EGs), offering both Attack/Release (AR) and Attack/Sustain/Release (ASR) modes, becoming essential tools in altering your sound signal over time. These EGs can be further utilized as sources in the QV-L's comprehensive modulation possibilities.
The QV-L takes advantage of eight modulation busses, allowing for a host of modulation sources, destinations, and amounts. Drawing from four CV inputs, all four LFOs, and the internal envelope generators, these busses act as your modular command center, seamlessly interconnecting your Eurorack’s ecosystem.
For the sake of versatility and convenience, each of the four CV outputs can be custom mapped to accommodate multi-output algorithms such as the Lorenz Attractor. Furthermore, output processing includes a selection of handy operations: invert, rectify, and others, complete with both sale and offset controls.
Triggering and expecting calls for quick access, which is why the QV-L offers two front-panel gate inputs, alongside TrigA and TrigB buttons. LFOs can be reset and envelope generators invoked using these tactile controls, ensuring a precise and hands-on approach to modulation.
Editing and customizing parameters is a breeze with the QV-L’s interface. Animated waveform displays illustrate your sonic shaping in real-time on most edit pages. Furthermore, the Main Edit page proffers six customizable parameters for each performance control, giving you sculpting power over your LFOs.
And what's better than getting your LFO’s parameters exactly how you want them? Saving those settings for later! With inclusion of onboard flash memory, you can preserve up to 40 of your favorite presets, making your best configurations readily available for future sessions.
In conclusion, the Five12 QV-L is a fantastic addition to any Eurorack system. Its impressive waveform variety, combined with flexible modulation options, envelope generators, MIDI communication, and preset saving, make it a powerful companion for both experimentation and performance, opening you up to ever-expanding sonic territories.
Example Usage
Novice Example:
Let's say you're new to the world of modular synthesis and you just got your hands on the Five12 QV-L module. You're excited to explore its versatile quad variable LFO capabilities and unleash your creativity. Here's a basic example of how you can use the QV-L to add movement and variation to your sound:
- Start by connecting an oscillator module to your audio output to generate a sound source.
- Patch one of the QV-L's CV outputs to the frequency input of the oscillator. This will control the pitch of the sound.
- Set the QV-L's LFO rate to a slow tempo-based mode, like "Beat" or "Bar," to create a long, evolving modulation.
- Choose a wave shape for the LFO, such as a sine or triangle wave.
- Adjust the waveform's shape control to modify the modulation's characteristics. For example, increasing the shape control on a sine wave will add harmonics and complexity to the modulation.
- Experiment with the LFO amount control to determine how much modulation is applied to the oscillator's frequency input. Start with a subtle amount and gradually increase it to hear the effect more prominently.
- Listen to the evolving sound and observe how the pitch of the oscillator moves up and down, creating a sense of motion and variation. You can further refine the modulation by tweaking the LFO rate, waveform shape, and amount controls to achieve your desired result.
Remember, this is just a basic example to get you started with the QV-L's quad variable LFO capabilities. Feel free to explore other waveforms, modulation sources, and destinations to unlock even more creative possibilities. Happy experimenting!
Intermediate-level usage example:
One of the most exciting features of the Five12 QV-L module is its extensive modulation capabilities. With 8 modulation busses and a wide range of selectable sources, destinations, and amounts, you can truly unleash your creativity and take your patches to new heights.
Let's explore an intermediate-level usage scenario where we use the QV-L to modulate the filter cutoff frequency of a VCF module. By doing so, we can create dynamic and evolving filter sweeps that add movement and excitement to our sound.
First, let's connect one of the QV-L's LFO outputs to the CV input of the VCF module. This will be our modulation source. We can choose any of the LFO waveforms available, such as a smooth triangle wave or a more complex Lorenz attractor chaotic waveform.
Next, we need to set the destination of our modulation. In this case, we want to modulate the cutoff frequency of the VCF module. Let's connect the CV output of the QV-L to the cutoff frequency input of the VCF.
Now comes the fun part - dialing in the modulation amount. On the QV-L module, select the modulation bus that corresponds to the LFO output we are using. We can then adjust the modulation amount to taste, finding the perfect balance between subtle filter variations and more extreme sweeps.
With the modulation set up, start playing a sequence or improvising on your controller. As you do, listen to the dynamic changes in the filter cutoff frequency as the QV-L's LFO modulates it. You'll notice how the timbre of your sound evolves and transforms in real-time, adding depth and movement.
For added creativity, feel free to experiment with different LFO waveforms, modulation busses, and destination parameters. You can even try using multiple QV-L modules to create complex modulation routings that interact with each other.
By exploring the versatile Quad Variable LFO of the Five12 QV-L, you can truly unlock the full potential of your Eurorack system. Whether you're crafting evolving soundscapes or adding subtle variations to your rhythmic patterns, the QV-L's modulation capabilities are sure to inspire and elevate your music production.
Further Thoughts
The QV-L is a powerhouse modulation tool that can unlock an infinite universe of sonic possibilities. Let's dive into an expert-level usage example that showcases the versatility and creative potential of this module.
Imagine you're working on a complex ambient composition and want to add evolving textures and intricate modulation to captivate your listeners. You decide to use the QV-L to create an intricate rhythmic pattern using its built-in EGs and custom mapping capabilities.
First, you connect one of the QV-L's LFOs to the gate input of a percussive module. This LFO will generate a rhythmic gate signal, triggering the percussive sound at a regular interval. You set the LFO rate to the "Beat" mode, syncing it to your project's tempo.
Next, you engage the QV-L's envelope generators (EGs) in AR (Attack/Release) mode. You connect the output of one EG to modulate the filter cutoff of a resonant low-pass filter, adding dynamic movement to your sounds. The second EG is routed to modulate the decay time of a lush reverb effect, creating evolving and immersive sonic textures.
To make things even more interesting, you utilize the QV-L's custom mapping feature. You assign the CV outputs to control various parameters throughout your modular system. For instance, CV output 1 is mapped to the pitch of a wavetable oscillator, creating evolving melodies that harmonically progress with each new note.
CV output 2 is carefully assigned to modulate the depth of a chorus effect, introducing subtle variations in the stereo width and imparting a dreamy, ethereal quality to your composition. CV output 3 controls the feedback amount of a delay module, allowing you to sculpt intricate and evolving delay patterns that add depth and space to your soundscape.
Finally, CV output 4 is connected to a voltage-controlled mixer, adjusting the level of an atmospheric pad to create gradual swells and dynamic shifts in the mix.
With the QV-L's extensive modulation capabilities, integrated EGs, and customizable mapping, you've transformed a simple soundscape into a complex and captivating sonic journey. The rhythmic patterns, evolving textures, and dynamic modulations created with the QV-L add depth, movement, and an ever-changing landscape of sound to your composition.
Get ready to explore new dimensions of creativity and unleash your sonic potential with the Five12 QV-L module. The possibilities are endless when you have such a versatile and powerful tool at your fingertips.