Built This Voltage-Controlled Oscillator Using Only Transistors – It Actually Works!

In this video, we dive into a fascinating analog circuit that generates triangle, square, and sawtooth waveforms—without a single op-amp in sight. It’s a unique voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) built using only discrete transistors, and it’s packed with elegant design features: symmetrical layout, diverse transistor topologies, and clever analog engineering.

We’ll build it, test it, hear it, and even tweak it live. From waveform analysis on the oscilloscope to improvements with an LM311 comparator and totem-pole output stage, this video walks through each step in a clear, accessible way.
Whether you're into analog electronics, waveform generation, or audio synthesis—there’s plenty to learn here.

👨‍🔬 Highlights include:

Building the VCO on a breadboard

Real-time oscilloscope waveform captures

Listening to triangle and sawtooth outputs

Improving comparator speed with Schottky diodes & totem-pole stages

A practical breakdown of the original circuit and its quirks

This is more than a circuit—it’s an analog learning experience.

📈 Learn, build, tweak—and enjoy the tone of transistors doing what they do best.

#AnalogElectronics #VoltageControlledOscillator #TransistorCircuit #DIYVCO #AudioSynthesis #WaveformGenerator #Oscilloscope #ElectronicsLab #CircuitDesign #LM311 #BreadboardBuilds #TechExplained #EducationalElectronics #ElectronicEngineering

Credits:
The author of the original circuit: Larry Stabile
Where you can read about it: https://www.edn.com/voltage-controlle...

Full series of #Electronics:
   • Hands on electronics  

Website: https://accidentalscience.com
Subscribe the free mailing list for news and special content: https://accidentalscience.com/regform...