Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a reference signal generator having a controlled quality (“Q”) factor. An exemplary apparatus to generate a harmonic reference signal includes a reference resonator, such as an LC-tank, which generates a first reference signal having a resonant frequency, and a plurality of reactance modules couplable to the reference resonator. Each reactance module comprises one or more reactance unit cells, and each reactance unit cell comprises a reactance element coupled in series to a switching element. In exemplary embodiments, the reactance element is a capacitor having a predetermined unit of capacitance, and the switching element is a transistor having a predetermined resistance when in an off state. The ratio of capacitance to resistance is substantially constant for all reactance modules of the plurality of reactance modules.