3-54
Algorithm Reference
Chaos!
920 Chaos!
Fun with chaos and instability
PAUs:
2
The moment you scroll to the Chaos! algorithm, you will discover it is wildly unstable. Chaos! is a delay
feedback algorithm which includes lots of gain with distortion plus plenty of filters tweaking the sound.
Modifying the parameters will often cause the algorithm to jump from one chaotic instability state to
another, often unpredictably. For the most part Chaos! howls and resonates on its own, and while an input
signal can affect the output, the effect of the input signal on the output is usually small. When self-
resonating, the sound you can get can be very strange. It is particularly interesting if you keep modifying
the parameters. What do you use this effect for? Well, that’s the creative challenge!
You should be very careful with the Out Gain or Drive Cut settings with Chaos! If you start the algorithm
in a stable state (not self resonating) and start increasing gains (in the distortion drive or filters), the output
level can build. The feedback can be every bit as unpleasant as putting a microphone next to a
loudspeaker! (There’s an application: simulating PA system feedback!)
Let’s take a closer look at Chaos!
Figure 23
Chaos!
As advertised, Chaos! is a feedback loop with delay, distortion and lots of filters. Most of the effects in
KDFX carefully manage levels on feedback loops to prevent instability. In a digital system, uncontrolled
instability will usually rapidly enter digital clipping with full scale signal output. Very nasty. Chaos! also
keeps a lid on levels, preventing digital clipping but allowing instability. You will still need to cut back on
Out Gain (or Drive Cut) to bring the signal down to reasonable levels.
The distortion drive when turned up, will push Chaos! into instability unless Drive Cut is used to hold the
level down. As the sound starts becoming unstable, your input signal will still have a strong effect on the
output. As more and more drive is applied, the self-resonance dominates the output.
The delay length is expressed as a frequency where the length of the delay in seconds is 1/frequency. Why
do this? A short delay line with a lot of feedback will resonate at a frequency of 1/length of the delay. It is
the resonant behavior of Chaos! which is particularly interesting, which make the delay more naturally
expressed as a frequency. Not only will the delay resonate at its natural frequency (1/length), but you may
also hear many overtones (or harmonics). There is a switch to invert the feedback (FB Invert). When set to
In, FB Invert will cause the natural frequency and its harmonics to be suppressed while frequencies
between the harmonics now resonate. In this case the frequency one octave down and its odd harmonics
are resonating.
L Input
R Input
+/- FB
Invert
Distort
Delay
LP
HP
Bass
Treble
Mid
Mid
L Output
R Output
In/Out
