Synthesis 101 | How to check the Tuning of your Oscillators

Aligning the oscillators of your synthesizer is a crucial skill to master when creating your own patches. This technique will assist in recognizing when your synth requires calibration and will help maintain proper tuning when performing alongside other instruments. This article will illustrate the most effective methods for tuning your synthesizer.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Oscillator's Tuning
• Synced & Un-synced Oscillators
• My Oscillators Are Out Of Tune

Oscillator's Tuning

The following procedure will help you tune any analog synthesizer. All of the steps are transferable, but may change slightly dependent on what you see on your front panel. 

1. Connect the output of the synth to a reliable tuner.
2. Bring your synth to an INIT patch.
   • Click HERE for Moog synths with digital recall of patches. 
   • Click HERE for Moog synths with NO digital recall of patches.
3. Set OSC 1 FREQ to 12 O'clock.
4. Set your other oscillator's FREQ to 12 O'clock.
5. Set all of your OSCILLATORS WAVESHAPES to a HARMONICALLY RICH shape, such as a SAWTOOTH for tune detection.
6. Set the the base oscillator's OCTAVE lower than the oscillator you are trying to tune. For example: If you are tuning OSC 2 to OSC 1, set the octave of OSC 1 power than OSC 2 then use the frequency know of OSC 2 to tune it in relevance to OSC 1.
7. In the MIXER, turn on OSC 1 & turn off your other oscillators.
8. Play a note on the keyboard.
9. Ensure that the tuner is detecting the correct note with a margin of a few cents.
10. In the MIXER, turn off OSC 1 and turn on OSC 2.
11. Play a note on the keyboard.
12. Ensure that the tuner is detecting the correct note with a margin of a few cents.
13. In the MIXER, turn on OSC 1 & 2.
14. You should be able to adjust OSC 2 accordingly within contrast of OSC 1. OSC 2 operates as a bipolar control, allowing you to either add or subtract semitones depending on the direction you turn the knob.
15. Repeat on all oscillators until you are happy with your patch. Set the Oscillators to SYNC to each other if desired.

Synced & Un-synced Oscillators

When two oscillators achieve synchronization, the first oscillator functions normally, while the phase of the second oscillator, which is synchronized, is required to reset its cycle to coincide with each new cycle of the first oscillator - thus retaining the pitch of the first oscillator. 

Un-synced oscillators operate independently of each other. Each oscillator can be tuned and modulated separately, allowing for complete control over the synth tonality. Un-synced oscillators encourage experimentation with detuning and modulation, leading to unique and unexpected results.

My Oscillators Are Out Of Tune

If you notice that the potentiometers are not accurately reflecting the position of the knob when turned, it might be necessary to perform a POT CALIBRATION.

If you discover that the note being produced does not correspond with the note being played on your keyboard, you may need to execute a NOTE CALIBRATION.

All of these processes can be found in the "General Troubleshooting" section of your synth within our knowledgebase articles. Alternatively, you can access videos that explain how to perform these procedures on the inMusic Brands Support YouTube channel accessible HERE.