Grain Noise and Tools (NZT)

This is a card that provides "grain" noise similar to that found in some machines inside the Elektron Digitone II.

The code for this can be found in a separate GitHub repository: https://github.com/kjnilsson/ws

Controls

• Main: controls the "density" of the noise
• X: Controls the noise seed when Pulse In 1 is connected and CV In 2 isn't. (see GateIn 1)
• Y: Controls the gain applied to the value of CV In 1 (if connected) that is added to the value of the main knob. Up to 3x gain is applied.
• Audio Out 1: the grain noise output
• Audio Out 2: the "opposite" grain noise output, if Audio Out 1 is dense this is sparse and so on.
• CV In 1: CV in for modulating the noise density.
• CV In 2: CV in for modulating the noise seed. Knob X is not used when there is a connection here.
• Pulse In 1: resets the seed of the noise generator. Connect the square wave of an oscillator to create a noise oscillator (as long as density is high) similar to what can be found in a Nord Modular G1.
• CV Out 1: outputs a static ~-6V - useful for making a selfrunning slope more suitable for input into the computers CV ins.
• CV Out 2: S&H output, updated every time there is a trigger into Pulse In 2.
• Audio In 1: This signal is used as a ring modulator of the noise. Put a sine wave here to mellow the noise sound somewhat.
• Audio In 2: The internal noise source is replaced with the audio from this input if connected.
• Pulse Out 2: Outputs a short pulse every 1.366 seconds or so. Useful for patching into a pulseinput for drum sound design.

Patch Ideas

1. Different Waves

A different take on making seaside sounds.

• Audio Out 1 -> Mixer 1 with pan fully CCW
• Audio Out 2 -> Mixer 2 with pan fully CW
• CV Out 1 -> Slope 1 Input
• Slope 1 Out -> CV In 1

Set slope 1 to triangle mode, loop with a slow time. Set Computer's Main knob in the middle and turn Y a third of the way up.

Enjoy some waves. Maybe a touch of reverb would not go amiss.

Bonus: patch a CV melody into one of the oscillators and path the square wave into the computer's pulse 1 input. When each wave hit's the "crest" you'll hear a distant melody (if Main and Y are at the right positions, adjust to taste, also adjust X for different timbres).

2. Snare Generator

Basic:

• Audio Out 1 -> Mixer 3
• Pulse Out 1 -> Slope 2 In
• Slope 2 Out -> CV In 1

Set Main knob to fully CCW and Y to 50%. Set Slope 2 to decay mode with no loop. Adjust Slope 2 time and computer knob Y until you get a reasonably snappy noise snare type sound. The noise will probably never decay quite fully, this is normal - you probably want to sample and edit these anyway or patch via the ringmod to get a VCA over it. For more fun patch the computer audio out via the distortion (obvs).

Next:

Get the oscillators involved. Set Osc 1 tune to 50% and connect square out into computer pulse 1 in. Now you should get a bit more "body" to the sound. Try a bit of FM from Osc 2. Maybe tweak X and Y a bit. Connect Osc 2 sine out to computer audio input 1 for a slightly more mellow sound.

3. Bag O' Pipes

This uses the noise oscillator and we need a CV/Gate source for this. Like a keyboard.

• Audio Out 1 -> Mixer 3
• CV Source -> Osc 2 pitch
• Osc 2 square -> Pulse In 1
• Gate Source -> Slope 1 In
• Slope 1 Out -> CV In 1

Set Slope 1 to decay mode with a slow time. Set Main knob fully CCW and Y to ~66%. Play your CV/Gate source, enjoy the nasal tones turning into increasingly sparse noise as you release a note.

Extra:

Split your gate so you can also patch it to the computer's Pulse In 2 jack then patch CV Out 2 into CV In 2. Each note now should have a slightly different timbre.

Reverb is recommended (isn't it always?).