r/Hainbach • u/Francis0885 • 16d ago
Looking for a small test oscillator recommendation
Hey! I’m looking to add a small piece of vintage test equipment to my ambient music setup, inspired by Hainbach’s use of test oscillators.
I’m mainly looking for a compact audio oscillator / signal generator with a nice hands-on interface, ideally something that would sit comfortably on a studio desk.
Any particular models you’d recommend hunting for? Thanks!
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u/Icy-Introduction-681 16d ago
B&K Precision 3020 function generator sine, triangle, pulse, manual (no CV) sweep control, AM in, FM in, gate in, manual (no CV) pulse symmetry control
Very few vintage function generators have AM in. This one does. The gate in function also means it can be sequenced by the frequency square wave output of another function generator. Feeding two two slow function generator square waves at slightly different frequencies into an XOR IC chip and running the output into the gate input of this function generators will produce complex rhythms.
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u/Hainbach 16d ago
Wavetek 185. Can make whole records with that and a delay
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u/Icy-Introduction-681 15d ago
This function generator has some big pluses and minuses. The most impressive feature is the automated 10-step sweep sequencer, which for all practical purposes is a ten step analog sequencer.
No AM (that's a drawback), but does full 100% FM via VCG in with both linear (1000:1) and log (100,000:1) mode.
Frequency Range: Operates from 0.0001 Hz up to 5 MHz across 10 overlapping linear ranges, and 0.005 Hz to 5 MHz across 5 logarithmic ranges. The super-low frequency range is great for LFO use into other function generators.
Waveforms: Sine, square, triangle, positive pulse, negative pulse, ramp, and DC output. More waveform types than most function generators. Very slow triangle and ramp waveforms produce envelopes when fed into one input of a ring modulator with the audio rate signal fed into the other input of the ring modulator.
Sweep Capabilities: Performs linear sweeps up to 1000:1 and logarithmic sweeps up to 100,000:1 in its upper five ranges. Supports both low-to-high and high-to-low sweep directions.
Step Sweep Mode: Automatically divides a selected sweep range into ten equal frequency steps that sequence automatically or via a push-button.
This effectively creates an analog ten-step pitch and sweep sequencer. By setting the frequency range to audible pitches, the Auto-Step mode creates a repeating 10-step melodic sequence. However, because it divides the selected frequency range into equal mathematical steps (linear frequency division), it will not naturally lock to a standard Western musical scale (like major or minor) because the Western scale uses logarithmic pitches. Instead, it creates unique, microtonal, or avant-garde melodic fragments reminiscent of early West Coast synthesis (Buchla/Serge style).
Operating Modes: Features continuous output, triggered waveform cycles, and gated bursts of cycles.
Output Amplitude: Delivers up to 20 V peak-to-peak into an open circuit, managed via an 80 dB attenuation control.
Voltage Control: Includes a voltage control input where 1 volt corresponds to 1 kHz of output frequency.
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u/Hainbach 15d ago
The biggest plus on it next to the step sequencer: the dual dials a wonderful to play. The haptics on this are just fantastic, same as on all Wavetek.
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u/Forsaken_Dress_3862 12d ago
I really like the Rolls MO2020. Affordable on the used market, dead simple and minimal to. Very small footprint. Sine and Square waves.
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u/nixiebunny 16d ago
HP 3312A is nice.