Erica Synths Black VCO V2 and Black VCO Expander Review
Erica Synths Black VCO V2 and Black VCO Expander is an analog oscillator inspired by the old Soviet Polivoks hardware synthesizer.
Sound
Black VCO and Black VCO Expander have their own character originating from the Synths. The Black VCO offers concurrent sine, triangle, saw and pulse wave outputs and -1-octave sub oscillator. Through the VCO Expander you can mix the waveforms generated by the Black VCO, and you get two additional sub oscillators.
The Black VCO is an analog VCO with four concurrent waveform outputs and one octave down sub oscillator. The VCO Expander gives you have access to an excellent waveform mixer. The Expander adds on top of that also two octaves down sub oscillators, and it allows you to investigate wave design in distinct areas.
Erica Synths Black VCO V2 Features
- Simultaneous sine, triangle, saw and pulse wave outputs
- -1-octave sub oscillator
- Manually adjustable and CV controlled pulse width
- Great tracking across 8 octaves
- Exponential FM input with attenuator
- Synchronization input
- Octave switch – 5 octaves
- Skiff-friendly design
Erica Synths Black VCO Expander Features
- Waveform mixer/inverter
- Sine/Triangle/”Tits” waveform switch
- Transistor-based -2-octave sub oscillator
- -1 and -2-octave sub oscillator crossfade
- Sub-oscillator lowpass filter
- Diode limiter on output signal amplitude
- Three simultaneous outputs
- This expander module can be connected only to Black VCO. It will not work as a standalone eurorack module
Soviet Polivoks Vibes Combo
The combination of both modules makes this a sophisticated analog waveform generator. For me, the reason to get this module was the waveform mixing and harsh sounds this VCO can generate. Like my Matrixbrute, which is only here because of its sound, I was after the Polivoks vibe and saw the possibility with the VCO Expander. While the roots are the harsh Polivoks synth, I was produced pleasant ambient textures, drones, and backgrounds beds which every composer needs for their score at some time.
Sub and filling the low end
Now let’s take a look at the Sub output, in standalone or with the VCO Expander you get access to a low-frequency signal. For a composer that means you can use these low end to accompany and reinforce the sections of the orchestra or Eurorack. As the signal is available individually you can send it to some effects in modular, pedals or with interfaces like the ES-8 to your DAW or software tools. When you look for subs with richness with a mournful tone and punch, this is a perfect setup to enhance your compositions.
VCO based on modern synths or technologies fall short sonically when compared with their older counterparts. The Black VCO takes the best aspects of the old craft Polivoks and makes them available in your rack. The resulting vibes are created for film score composition, trailer score, and orchestral compositions. The sub-oscillator gives the fundamental base for your track and the low energy is not pitched down tones they come with additional harmonics.
Rating: Five Out of Five Stars
Black VCO and Black VCO Expander is a phenomenal Polivoks sounding Oscillator with a harsh, solid, and smooth sound. The Black VCO is your workhorse. I recommend buying the combo as your sound source with an edge and brutality. The module is an outstanding implementation of the transcendent Russian synth Polivoks VCO. The blend of both modules from Erica is a real asset in my Eurorack.
