[sdiy] Random Voltage Generation

[Grant Richter]

I have always wondered if random voltage generators were developed for
electronic music synthesizers. A book I recently discovered at the public
library gives background on their development.

The book is "Random Process Simulation and Measurements" by Granino Korn
(1966 McGraw-Hill). Which seems to be a companion text to the famous
"Electronic Analog and Hybrid Computers".

Of interest is chapter 4 "Direct Simulation of Random Phenomena:
Introduction to Monte-Carlo Techniques and Noise Generators" also of
interest is 6-1 "Statistical Effects of Quantization" which is a broadly
theoretical chapter on analog to digital conversion.

It seems that random voltage generators were developed for use with analogue
computers for "brute force" Monte-Carlo solutions (bang the variables with
random numbers until you get a solution). Also for process optimization and
analysis of statistical effects of modeled communication channels using long
decay phosphor oscilloscopes.

If you have an interest in random voltage generation (such as the Buchla
"Source of Uncertainty" modules) I would highly recommend checking your
local libraries for a copy of this book.