vcNOIZ

voltage controlled digital noise source

User Manual ModularGrid
Discontinued

This module is no longer manufactured. Its documentation is kept here for reference.

vcNOIZ is a unique sounding voltage controlled digital noise source. The frequency of the noise is both linearly and exponentially controllable by analogue control voltage signals. It creates positively raunchy C64-esque digital noise and sounds great for hihats and other sounds as well!

There are no microcontrollers used in this design. It is comprised entirely of CMOS logic and analog opamps, so does not suffer from aliasing or any other issues present in a microcontroller-based design.

Width 6HP Depth 38mm Current draw +35mA / -30mA

Inputs

  • Expo. response CV input (-V to +V)
  • Linear response CV input (-V to +V) – great for audio rate FM, as the audio demo shows. It sounds positively gruesome!
  • Clock input (square wave, positive logic)

Controls

  • Pitch control (to tune base frequency, just like a VCO)

Outputs

  • Base frequency noise output (a little smoother sounding than the divisions) [audio coupled]
  • Sub octave /4 output (gritty sounding) [audio coupled]
  • Sub octave /8 output (gritty sounding) [audio coupled]
  • Base frequency DC coupled gate output (for when wanting a random gate when using a slower clock/pitch rate)
  • Internal clock output (there was an extra opamp, so we figured this could be useful)

Demos

vcNOIZ demos (SoundCloud)
hexinverter.net vcNOIZ voltage controlled noise oscillator demo #2