Description
The VCLFO 10 is a simple-to-use 0-5V voltage-controlled LFO chip with many more features than your average LFO.It can produce 16 different waveforms in two banks of eight, including a wandering random wave and a noise source. Waveforms can be further shaped by the Wave Distort feature.
There is an optional sample-and-hold module that can sample whatever is selected, the current waveform or the noise or random source. The LFO frequency, waveform selection, waveform distortion, S&H rate and output level are all voltage-controlled using 0-5V.
This chip is an upgraded (but still compatible) version of the original VCLFO 9D chip. It offers an improved sample rate (31.25KHz instead of 19.5KHz), better waveform storage resolution (16-bit instead of 8) and no longer requires use of a timing crystal. Additionally, it is now possible to configure the chip for inverted CV inputs, which makes dealing with CV mixers very simple.
Another new feature is the optional on-chip waveform smoothing filter, which is designed to remove clicks caused by feedthrough in application circuits like tremolos.
Download Electric Druid VCLFO10 Datasheet
The datasheet includes example circuit diagrams, example waveforms, and the chip pinout diagram.
If you’d like to program your own chip for personal use, code and further details are available over on the original article about the new Druid chips.
This chip is available in both DIP14 and SOIC14 packages.
Paul Proudfoot (verified owner) –
Brilliant chip, hours of fun to be had with it. No end of variations with the Sample & Hold. Only problem I have is that I cannot get the sync to work. I built the basic circuit supplied, but neither the LFO nor the S&H will reset when I send a 5V pulse in. I have the Sync Mode pin 8 tied to 5 volt. Should this work?
Tom Wiltshire –
It *should* do. I wonder what’s going on? Have you got all the other pins connected? Sometimes the chips go a bit haywire if they’ve got a floating input, and it often isn’t the floating one that goes weird.
Arnar Adalsteinsson (verified owner) –
I am having the same problem with getting sync to work , any thoughts .
Everything else works , tried tying to 5v and also setting to only retrigger LFO.
Tom Wiltshire –
The Sync problems seem to be a bug – we’ve got a fix sorted out, so I’ll get in touch and we’ll send you an updated chip. Sorry for the problems.
Tom
curiousKat –
Question: Is the sync bug fixed in the version of the firmware linked on the article?
Tom Wiltshire –
I was wrong in the end. There was no bug. I was being a dummy and misreading my own code. The firmware linked on the article is tested and the sync works.
tonis field –
If you made 300 of these chips, they would sell out in a month.
Tom Wiltshire –
Sorry, we’re having as much trouble getting hold of microprocessors as everyone else! We’ll get them as soon as we can.
mARC (verified owner) –
Made a module out of this, and I’m pretty pleased with it. I’ll definitely use some more when I can get them.
https://www.robotdialogs.com/2022/09/eurorack-lfo-module-vclfo10.html