©2015 - Compiled by Robert Anselmi
for full manual
Make Noise Phonogene
Sampler / Looper Module
The
Phonogene
is a digital re-visioning and elaboration of the tape recorder as musical instrument. It takes its name from a little known, one of a kind instru-
ment, used by composer Pierre Schaeffer. While not an emulation, it expands upon the original concepts. It is informed by the worlds of Musique Concrète
(where speed and direction variation were combined with creative tape splicing to pioneer new sounds) and Microsound (where computers allow for sound to
be divided into pieces smaller then 1/10 of a second, and manipulated like sub-atomic particles). Having CV control over every parameter, it is most dynamic
as a digital audio buffer for the modular synthesist. The Phonogene is comprised of a pair of tool-sets: Tape Music tools allow for sounds to be recorded on the
fly, layered, manually cut into pieces, re-organized, and played backward or forward at differing speeds. The Microsound Tools allow for you to divide the audio
buffer into progressively smaller pieces called Genes (aka particles, grains, granules). You can then step through those pieces in chronological order, and/or in
nonlinear fashion (providing random access of the audio buffer). Both sets of tools complement each other, which is why they were grouped into one module.
SIGNAL IN & ATTENUATOR:
Audio
input. Line level or modular synth levels
are acceptable. AC Coupled. The associ-
ated
Signal In Attenuator
sets the input
level. For line level, set at 70% CW (2Vpp),
and for mod synth levels, set at 30% CW
(10Vpp); noted on the faceplate.
SOUND ON SOUND CV IN:
Sets the mix of previ-
ously recorded loop with live Signal input when recording,
to allow for SOS-type “overdubs.” Also allows for setting
monitoring level of live input signals with previously
recorded loop. Can also be used as a CV cross-fader
(between live & loop) or VCA for loop (no live signal).
Range: 0V to 10V, linear response. Normalized to +10V.
SOUND ON SOUND AT-
TENUATOR:
With nothing
patched to SOS CV In, this
works as a standard panel
control. With signal patched
to SOS CV In, this works as
an attenuator for that signal.
SIGNAL OUT:
Audio signal output.
10Vpp, depending on
Signal In Attenuator
setting and the source
material. AC coupled.
SLIDE ROTARY:
Manual bipolar rotary
for scanning the pieces of sound that result
from setting Gene-Size to greater than
10%. Moves/slides through the Genes (aka
grains). Allows for scrubbing of the recorded
material, and is always dependent upon the
Gene-size setting.
SLIDE CV IN & ATTENUVERTOR:
Bipolar CV input for Slide. Range +/-4V.
The associated
Slide Attenuvertor
sets the
bipolar level for the incoming CV.
GENE-SIZE CV IN & ATTENUATOR:
Unipolar CV input setting size divisor of
audio buffer, dividing with respect to the
buffer size as set by Record or Splice length.
This parameter “auto-splices” the recorded
material like a machine. Operates with great
precision and can cut pieces to a granular
level. Nondestructive. At 0V there is no
effect. Range 0V to +8V. The associated
Gene-size Attenuator
sets the level for the
incoming CV. It is unipolar.
GENE SHIFT CV IN:
A clock signal at
this input advances Phonogene to the next
Gene, in chronological order. Always depen-
dent upon the Gene-size setting. Needs at
least 1.5V trigger signal to operate.
SPLICE CV IN:
Input for using external
signal to splice the loop. Sees only rising
edge of the signal. Needs at least 1.5V trig-
ger signal to operate.
EOS CV OUT & LED:
Outputs a short 4
ms pulse at the end of each Splice. With no
Splices, EOS outputs a pulse at the end of
each loop. The associated
EOS LED
flashes
at each pulse output.
GENE-SIZE ROTARY:
Manual unipolar
control which sets Gene-Size divisor.
Recording Time and Quality:
The Phonogene audio buffer is 2MB, nonvolatile, high number of fast read and write cycles. Nonvolatile means the
Phonogene remembers both samples and splices on power down. The high number of read and write cycles is key to longevity of the module. High speed
read and write cycles allow for short sample times, making microsound possible. Because the record and playback frequency is continuously variable from
88.2khz to 5.5khz by the Varispeed controls, the longest possible recording or loop length is determined by the speed of the playback/recording. Therefore,
long recordings may be achieved, but at the cost of a lower sample rate, meaning the resulting recordings will be of lower sound quality. A “Mid-Fi” setting
may be achieved by setting the Varispeed rotary at around 50%, so that both Varispeed LEDs are off. This records a good quality, 2-second sample length,
and allows for a good range of speed variation. Playback is stopped while you record. To record shorter samples at higher quality, set the Varispeed rotary
CCW. To record longer samples at lower quality, set the Varispeed rotary CW. Sample length can range from approximately >0 to 30 seconds.
Erase Routine:
Hold the Splice button for 3 seconds to erase all splices at once. The Rec LED flashes to indicate splices have been erased. If you then
press the REC button while still holding the Splice button down, the Recording is also erased. Note: Erasing splices is non-destructive to your audio.
Broken Echo Mode:
This hidden function allows for realtime processing of audio signals. To enter Broken Echo mode, create a sample/loop/Splice (just
press the Rec button and record enitre memory bland, for example). Then press and hold the Rec button until you pass through the EOS (EOS flashes)
and Rec will be stuck On. To exit Broken Echo mode, press the Rec button again (do not Hold it though, or you will go back into Broken Echo mode). In this
mode the Phonogene is similar to the Echoplex, with the SOS switch activated. This is similar to covering the Erase head of a tape recorder, allowing a spool
of tape to be recorded over and over and over again, without erasing the previous recordings. This is a great mode for building walls of sound, drones, or
making crude echo FX. Phonogene still minds Splices, Varispeed, Gene-size, Gene Shift, and Slide. Any modulation of these parameters are recorded. Be
sure to set the SOS Attenuator control according to your desired results. For example, live input processing requires the attenuator to be set at around 50%,
while massaging captured content requires a setting of 100% Wet. Adding or removing splices during Broken Echo Mode is not supported.
VARISPEED ROTARY & LEDS:
Manual
bipolar speed and direction control. When
set to 50% playback is stopped, turning CCW
from 50% decreases playback speed in
backward direction, turning CW from 50% in-
creases playback speed in forward direction.
Two LEDs are associated with this rotary. The
2 associated LEDs
show in which direction
the Phonogene is playing. The left (blue)
LED indicates reverse playback. The right
(orange) LED indicates forward playback.
When no LEDs are lit, playback is stopped.
LEDs also flash when a new splice is found
(see the
Organize
controls).
VARISPEED CV IN & ATTENUVER-
TOR:
Bipolar speed and direction control
where 0V stops playback, positive control
signal increases playback speed in forward
direction, negative control signal increases
playback speed in reverse direction. Range
+/-4V. The associated
Varispeed Attenuver-
tor
sets the bipolar level for the incoming CV.
ORGANIZE CV IN & ATTENUATOR:
Unipolar CV input which selects the next
Splice to be played. The currently selected
Splice will play to the end before the next
Splice is selected. The Varispeed LEDs flash
whenever this control finds a new Splice.
Range: 0V to +5V. The associated
Organize
Attenuator
sets the level for the incoming
CV. It is unipolar.
RECORD BUTTON & LED:
Manual, momen-
tary button to toggle record on/ off. The Record
LED indicates when recording is taking place.
When not lit, recording is not taking place.
SPLICE BUTTON:
Pressing drops splice marker
on a loop. When loop is Organized, the splices (re
-
sulting audio segments) are re-arranged according
to the Organize CV. Phonogene plays whichever
splice is selected by Organize parameter.
ORGANIZE Rotary:
Manual Unipolar
control which selects the next Splice to be
played. The Varispeed LEDs will flash when
-
ever this control finds a new Splice.
PLAY & RECORD CV INS:
Play CV In:
At each rising edge signal applied to Play CV In, playback
is triggered. At the end of loop or splice, Phonogene looks at the incoming CV, and if high, it plays again.
If low, it does not play. This Input is normalized high. With nothing patched, play is continuous. Needs at
least 1.5V trigger signal to operate.
Record CV In:
Toggles Record on/off. When recording from a cleared
buffer, the first record cycle sets the record length, so be sure to perform the
Erase Routine
to achieve a
new recording. Sees only rising edge of signal. Needs at least 1.5V trigger signal to operate.
