TYPES oF CoNTROL VoLTAGE :
Random Voltage
Random Voltage, as you might have expected, is not predictable; however, it is something the
user (or artist) may influence. The Wogglebug is the Shared System’s Random Voltage source.
It contains a
Stepped
Voltage source (similar to a Sequential Voltage but with each clock
input generating a new Random Voltage), a
Smooth
Voltage source (where the values “glide”
from step to step), and a
Woggle
Voltage that “chases” the
Smooth
Voltage, Woggling around
whenever it catches up. In a more subtle use, Random Voltage can liven up a patch, creating
shades of unpredictability. It may be used to generate unpredictable timbral shifts in
predictable melodies, or it could generate unpredictable melodies with timbral and rhythmic
shifts created by gestural control of the performer. It provides some voice for the
synthesizer’s “Id,” thus allowing you to jam with the machine. At the extreme, with creative
patching it can be used as the hub of self-contained generative music systems.
The Pressure Points can also be accessed via clock using the optional BRAINS expansion module, which does not come standard with the Shared System.
7
7
0
1
2
3
Active Location:
Woggle
Clock Rate:
+10V
0V
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Number of Clock Pulses
Figure13:
Stepped Random Voltage
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
+5V
0V
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Active
Location:
Number of Clock Pulses
Figure 14:
Sequential Voltage
Sequential Voltage
Sequential Voltage is a series of held voltage
levels that are stored in sequential order by a
sequencer. There are two sources of
sequential voltage in the Shared System: René
and Pressure Points. With these modules
there is always one Location selected: the
Active Location’s Stored voltage (level set by
the associated knob) appears at the
associated output(s). The touchplates give
manual access to these locations and with the
René Locations, can also be accessed
sequentially via Clock (a Gate or Trigger at one
of the clock inputs). Typical use of Sequential
Voltage is to play a melody by patching it to
the 1V/OCT input of a VCO. This could be
done via clock to create an easily repeatable
or variable sequence, or played manually via
touchplates, in the manner of a keyboard.
However, sequencers are not only for notes!
They are also excellent for creating arbitrary
modulation patterns for timbre, timing,
and even modulation depth!
11