For sound technicians looking to add a true polyphonic analog oscillator to their Eurorack toolkit, consider the Triax8 Analog Eight Voice Triangle Core Oscillator from Tiptop Audio. Outfitted with an architecture of 16 analog oscillators arranged as two VCOs per voice, the device is capable of producing up to ten waveforms simultaneously.
The FM bus features state-of-the-art Through-Zero Linear FM technology, maintaining oscillator tuning even at high modulation depth. Combining the modular nature of Triax8 with Polytip modulation patching and ART control allows Tiptop Audio's polyphonic modular system to surpass the capabilities of typical fixed analog synthesizers, in terms of both user control offered and quality of sound produced. Triax8 unleashes a massive sonic palette, whether you are looking for a classic, vintage-style aesthetic, or a future-driven alien soundscape.
- Each VCO has a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) knob with CV input and a Vibrato amount knob with CV input. Both are controlled using an external LFO
- Vibrato: patch an LFO into the Vibrato CV input, then turn up the knob to hear the effect (not internally generated)
- VCO1 includes a sub-oscillator, adding harmonics one octave below
- VCO2 features XOR waveform, created by combining the pulse waves of VCO1 and VCO2. Adjusting PWM knobs on both VCOs will change shape of the XOR waveform
Through-Zero FM:
- VCO2 supports through-zero frequency modulation (FM) from VCO1
- FM Amount knob on VCO2 controls amount of modulation applied
- On VCO1, the FM Source knob chooses which waveform VCO1 uses to modulate VCO2
- FM depth can be CV controlled in two ways: Polyphonically via the Polytip FM input jack / Globally using the standard FM mini jack input and attenuator knob
Pitch and Frequency Control:
- Each VCO has two main controls for pitch and frequency
- VCO1: The Detune knob should be set to 0 for accurate pitch. Turning it up slightly detunes VCO1, creating a detuned effect when paired with VCO2
- Octave Switch changes octave range of VCO1
- VCO2 also has its own Octave Switch
- Fine knob: Set to 0 for accurate pitch—turning it up smoothly increases the frequency up to +1 semitone
- Shifts pitch in steps of semitones, up to one full octave
- Both oscillators can be synced simultaneously, allowing for unique and complex cross-sync sounds
- For more sonic variety, add FM and adjust the FINE on VCO2
- Velocity outputs available via the Polytip jack as 0 to 5V CV signals
Response Mode Switch:
- + : Higher velocity (e.g., harder key press) for higher CV
- – : Inverts response—harder presses for lower CV
- KEYT (Key Track): Outputs a CV that rises with the pitch of the note played—higher notes produce higher CV. This is often used to modulate parameters like filter cutoff based on pitch
- Auto Tune: Hold down Velocity switch for 2 seconds to trigger
Voicing Switch Modes:
- Poly: Each note is assigned to a separate voice (standard polyphony)
- Dual: Each note uses two voices, creating a fuller sound and when used
- UNI (Unison): All voices play the same note together