The Serge SSG generates triangle and square LFOs by patching its output back to its own input (CYCLE mode)

The Serge Smooth and Stepped Generator (SSG) can self-oscillate as a voltage-controlled LFO without any external input by patching its IN to CYCLE. This creates a triangle wave at the Smooth output. Multing a banana plug into that same IN-CYCLE connection produces a square wave simultaneously. Both are voltage-controllable via the VC Rate input. This self-patch exploits the SSG’s internal ramp circuit and is one of the most-cited SSG Hijinx techniques — a function not immediately obvious from the module’s panel labeling.

Examples

To get a 1 Hz triangle LFO: connect SSG IN → CYCLE jack. Plug a mult into the same junction for simultaneous square. Set Rate knob to taste. Patch Smooth output to an oscillator FM input.

Assessment

Draw the signal flow for an SSG self-patched as a triangle LFO. How does multing at the IN/CYCLE junction produce a simultaneous square wave?