[sdiy] Ian's Chaos Modules

[Ian Fritz]

At 07:42 AM 3/16/2009, Dan Snazelle wrote:

>  1. have many people on here done experiments with multiple chaos modules 
> and if so, could you explain how you set them up?

One setup I had some fun with was to use two of the double-well (ChaQuO) 
circuits in tandem.  This gives a much wider range of patterns than you get 
from a single unit. For example, there are regions where the output is 
quite "bursty", i.e., long periods of slow changes interrupted by short 
periods of rapid changes.

>2. do you tend to get better results at HIGHER or lower RATES?

I've used them more at low rates (control signal range).  But there can be 
some interesting audio-range signals as well.

>3. what are you plugging into the MOD ins (of either the Jerkster or the 
>T/G/S/H)?

I haven't used the modulation of the S/H very much.  It's a bit tricky 
because it has some interaction with the threshold control.  In fact, I 
don't even have it connected in the versions I have behind panels in my 
system.  If you have a chaotic or random signal feeding the timing-signal 
input, then modulation can be used to change the overall rate of the sampling.

The version of the T/G/T/S/H that Elby Designs will soon release is a 
slightly different design and includes an improved modulation input, i.e., 
that is independent of the other controls.

For the Jerkster I've mostly used slow modulation.  But there aren't any 
"best ways" of using these modules.  So experiment with both.

>  I dont hear many people mentioning HOW they use these modules. I have 
> always been a big fan but more and more I am starting to feel like the 
> options they open up are truly unique.

I'd like to hear from more folks about this too.  I still retain my 
original belief that sounds with a chaotic element have a unique appeal -- 
probably because so many of the sounds around us involve chaotic 
processes.  The results are much different from what you get using random 
signals.

>and on and on.

Indeed!  There is still a huge range of unexplored territory.

   Ian