Cycle 5

VARI-WAVE OSCILLATOR

6 HP | +12: 75 mA, −12: 70 mA | JORC5
User Manual (PDF) | ModularGrid

A small Eurorack oscillator that packs a punch: that’s the best way to summarise Cycle 5.

At the heart of Cycle 5 is a refined high-stability triangle core voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), delivering performance that rivals or surpasses larger and more expensive oscillator modules.

Instead of a coarse frequency knob, a 7-position octave switch is provided. This in combination with a perfect fifth transposition switch and factory pitch tuning, makes Cycle 5 an exceptionally straightforward and musical VCO to use: simply centre the fine tune knob, and the module will be instantly tuned to reference C.

Meanwhile, its dual precision volt per octave inputs add a great deal of versatility. For example, one could be used for pitch sequencing and the other as a generic exponential FM input, or both sequenced together for transposition effects—the dual inputs serving as a built-in precision adder.

Sporting all the classic waveforms, ranging from sine wave, triangle, saw and square/pulse, as well as a hard sync input and low frequency oscillator (LFO) mode, Cycle 5 makes for a real workhorse VCO. The novel trigonometric waveshaper results in a very clean sine wave, ideal for sub bass duty.

Cycle 5’s highlight, however, is its vari-wave feature. By adjusting the vari-wave knob, the waveform on the matching output will smoothly morph from sine, to triangle, saw, square and finally a very narrow pulse. The vari-wave parameter can be CV controlled, up to audio frequencies for some intense timbres.

Equally at home as a modest modulation companion to big VCOs, as being in the spotlight in miniature or polyphonic systems, Cycle 5 might just be the most multi-talented tiny analogue oscillator yet.

• High-stability precision analogue triangle-core VC(LF)O.
• Octave and perfect fifth switches—all intermediate frequencies can be reached using the front panel controls.
• Dual volt per octave FM inputs.
• Outputs: sine, triangle, saw, square/pulse (PWM) and vari-wave, smoothly morphing between all waveforms.
  
• Reset (hard oscillator sync) input.
• Wide frequency range: 48 mHz (20 seconds) to 3.7 kHz.
• Don't waste time tuning: pre-tuned for 0 V = C.
• Impedance-compensated outputs with dual-colour vari-wave LED.
• Trim potentiometers accessible from the front panel.
• Precision-milled 2 mm anodised aluminium front panel with high-resolution, non-erasable graphics.
• Bullet-proof design: polarised power header and MOSFET protection circuit.
• Includes 16-to-10-pin Eurorack power ribbon cable.
• Premium mounting hardware: black screws, black nylon washers and matching hex key.
• High-quality components and assembly; designed and made in Belgium.