An Uncertain Future
After listening to a podcast posted by @futureaztec on the Buchla 266e Source of Uncertainty module, I thought I would build something in a similar vein. Like the original, it’s divided into four sections. I configured them as individual modules rather than a single unit so it would be possible to use only the ones you need.
The first module is a noise source with pink, white and blue noise. It has separate outputs scaled and offset for either audio or modulation use. Since pink noise contains substantial sub-sonic energy, the pink noise audio output also has a DC Blocker in series. If you use the pink noise mod output for audio it’s advisable to filter frequencies below 20 Hz to prevent possible speaker damage.
The second module is a source of smoothly changing random modulation with a variable rate of change. It has two independent channels of output, each with its own rate control.
The third module outputs a sequence of stepped random modulation with control over the number of steps from 2 to 24, the distribution of values from flat to bell curve, and how correlated each value is to the previous value. A high correlation means each value will be close to the previous one. A new value is produced at each channel’s output for each trigger applied to each channel’s input.
The last module is essentially a randomized sample and hold. The value of the skew knob is read at each trigger and the resulting value is randomly modified. The amount of randomness (degree) and its distribution (chaos) can be adjusted. It also has two independent channels.
I’ve included a demo showing some possible uses of the modulation signals.
NOTE: The maximum rate of change for the Fluctuating Random Module can be altered by opening the module, opening each submodule and changing the 4 in the x*x*4 expression to a higher or lower value
I/O
| Input | Signal Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| C, D, E, F | trigger - typically 0-1 |
module is triggered on the leading edge of the pulse |
| Output | Signal Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| pink, white, blue mod | modulation 0 - 1 |
pink (- 3 dB/octave), white (flat), blue (+3dB/octave) noise |
| pink, white, blue audio | audio -1 - 1 |
pink (- 3 dB/octave), white (flat), blue (+3dB/octave) noise. Pink noise has a DC Blocker in series to prevent excessive subsonic energy |
| A, B | modulation 0 - 1 |
unquantized, smoothly varying |
| C, D | modulation 0 - 1 |
quantized (2-24 steps) |
| E, F | modulation 0 - 1 |
unquantized |
Controls
| [Knob, Button, Spline, and/or Mapper] | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| probable rate of change | set the speed at which the modulation varies |
|
| steps | sets the number of quantization steps from 2 to 24 |
|
| time cor | sets how closely the current output value is correlated with the previous value |
|
| dist | sets the shape of the distribution of values from flat to a bell curve |
|
| skew | sets the initial value to be randomized |
|
| degree | sets the amount of randomness |
|
| chaos | sets the distribution of the random values |
|
Displays
| Meter | Displays | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| steps | displays the number of quantization steps |
Version History
| Revision | File | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | An Uncertain Future V1.2.audulus (75.1 KB) | 09/14/2019 | fixed bug in Quantized Random module |
| 1.1 | superceded | 07/11/2019 | added rate control for each channel of the fluctuating random |
| 1.0 | superceded | 07/11/2019 | initial upload |
Demo Version History
| Revision | File | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | An Uncertain Future V1.2 demo.audulus (919.6 KB) | 09/14/2019 | fixed bug in Quantized Random module |
| 1.1 | superceded | 07/11/2019 | updated demo to V1.1 |
| 1.0 | superceded | 07/11/2019 | initial upload |
It’s helpful to put a waveform node on the outputs so you can see the modulation signal as well as hear its effects.
