primitive-vco.html

<section id="primitive-vco" class="primer">
  <header>
    <h1>Primitive VCO</h1>
    <p class="subtitle">Voltage as Rhythm, Transistors as Timekeepers</p>
  </header>

  <article>
    <section class="intro">
      <p>This module explores how a classic transistor flip-flop can be transformed into a voltage-controlled oscillator. No ICs — just analog logic sculpted into sound.</p>
    </section>

    <section class="components">
      <h2>Core Circuit Elements</h2>
      <ul>
        <li>2 × NPN Transistors (e.g. 2N3904)</li>
        <li>2 × Capacitors (10µF electrolytic)</li>
        <li>4–6 × Resistors (fixed + voltage-controlled)</li>
        <li>1 × Control Voltage Input (0–5V or 0–9V)</li>
        <li>Optional: RC filter for waveform shaping</li>
      </ul>
    </section>

    <section class="how-it-works">
      <h2>How It Works</h2>
      <ol>
        <li>Transistors toggle via capacitor-coupled feedback</li>
        <li>Capacitor charge time sets oscillation frequency</li>
        <li>Control voltage modulates resistance in RC path</li>
        <li>Output: square wave or filtered triangle-like wave</li>
      </ol>
    </section>

    <section class="variations">
      <h2>Circuit Variations</h2>
      <ul>
        <li>JFET as voltage-controlled resistor</li>
        <li>LED indicators on transistor collectors</li>
        <li>RC filter for smoother waveform</li>
      </ul>
    </section>

    <section class="visual-index">
      <h2>Visual Index</h2>
      <p>Interactive diagram: voltage slider → waveform preview → frequency readout</p>
    </section>

    <section class="philosophy">
      <h2>Philosophical Footnote</h2>
      <p>From binary logic comes rhythm, and from rhythm comes tone. Even the simplest components — when arranged with care — can sing.</p>
    </section>
  </article>

  <footer>
    <p>© 2025 Edward Saul · Form follows function, but meaning follows form</p>
  </footer>
</section>