NICK'S WORLD OF SYNTHESIZERS
CHAOS ENGINE
Overview
The Chaos Engine is a 5 oscillator mini synth. Despite it's lo-fi discrete transistor design and very simple panel layout, it can produce a huge variety of sound textures. These range from simple bleepy melodies reminiscent of The Silver Apples, to fractal noise and spluttering sonic convulsions similar to the sound of fax machines or old computer tapes. Because of it's fractal-like qualities, the slightest microscopic knob turn can totally change the sound.
Operation
The Chaos Engine has 3 basic modes of operation
The oscillators do not influence each
other. In this mode it is like a primitive keyboard,only
with the added creative possibilities of being able to tune
the notes individually.
Sound No sync2 Harmonic sync.
The oscillators are all synchronized to
oscillator 1. As you turn the tuning knobs the pitch
will not glide as normal; instead you will hear a
series of harmonics, sometimes very musical and strange
undertone scales.
Sound Harmonic sync3 Chaotic sync.
The oscillators all try to sync to each
other. This is controlled by the chaos depth knob and produces
the widest variety of sounds.
Sound Chaotic syncThe Circuit
The circuit is discrete transistor because I believe it produces the richest possible analogue sound, and because many of the timeless legendary effects and synthesizers are discrete transistor, e.g Minimoog, Univibe, Big Muff, Cry baby/Vox Wah. There is an intangible quality to their sound which is not present in modern Op-Amp equivalents.
Construction
Maybe I'm crazy for spending so much time constructing these cases, when I could have opted for the typical pressed steel jobby, but I think they look pretty cool, in a kind of retro industrial way.
where to buy
It is availble in SchneidersBuero
More Sounds
Recording with drums and delay.mp3 Thanks to Dean Honer from I MonsterBendyharmonics.mp3 Computertape.mp3 Convulsions,noise.mp3 Faxmachine.mp3Harmonicundertones.mp3Contact me
Email crazylegsnick@gmail.com
Instructions
The polarity is center negative for the power supply connection. The circuit is protected if you get it wrong, so don't
be afraid to try it if the polarity of your supply is unclear. I have chosen the most common type of power socket,
Some power supply tips have a hole down the center that
is too big even though they appear to fit correctly, this is worth checking of you don't get any sound.
The keys are not latching so the only sound when they are pressed.
The chaos depth knob only really creates a strong effect when it is turned nearly all the way up.
Some basic settings
No sync
In this mode it is like a primitive 5 note keyboard. It would be fun to play it through a real tape delay in this mode.
Harmonic sync undertones
Oscillators 2 3 4 5 lock on to harmonically related notes of oscillator 1. The notes form a type of minor scale.
Try tuning the notes to a nice chord and then turn knob 1 this makes a really strange detuning sound.
Chaotic sync
All oscillators try to lock on to each other. In this mode oscillator 1 can bleed when it is not being played, so it can be
switched off by turning it's knob all the way up.