Infernal Noise Machine

 

 

15 June 2009 - Some samples from the (thoroughly) revised INM.

       These were one ~45 minute long sample that has been split into bite-size, somewhat coherent chunks. As you will hear, I love drones, but these really show off some of the possibilities of the INM. Metallic, percussive, video game, musical, noise, all kinds of fun.

       Currently, I only have two CV sources (a 1964 function generator). They were applied to the VCA1, VCA2, Frequency and Range inputs while I played with the controls.

INM_44kHz_1	6:27
INM_44kHz_2	5:26
INM_44kHz_3	5:24
INM_44kHz_4	3:50
INM_44kHz_5	5:49
INM_44kHz_6	6:16
INM_44kHz_7	4:35
INM_44kHz_8	3:36

 

 

 

18 October 2008 - v1.1 Limited run available - $666.00 USD each. 0 of 5 remaining Sold out, thanks!

Since enough have asked, here it is: I have enough joysticks for five INMs. I finally found enclosures that are very close to the one used on the v1.0. Thusly, I am now taking orders for 5 Infernal Noise Machines, price: $666.00 USD each (includes S&H), lead time: 6-8 weeks. Each unit is completely hand-made and is personalized on the jack panel (see picture below).

 

1 October 2008 - v1.0 built.

        This was built by accident, but that is a good thing. A customer said that he was interested in an INM when it was available. I was out of my medication at the time, and replace the word "INM" with "Plague Bearer". Once I woke up, work began. This is NOT a production unit, I am trying to find a more cost-effective build. The joysticks are from my jealously-hoarded secret stash, but I'm looking into distributing them - 100k, 0.2W, 90° swing, all-metal construction (apart from shaft pivot bearing).

	Front panel Panel measures 12" x 6.5"
	Back panel
	Panel wiring Confession: It was nice and neat until I tried to close the lid - not enough room for tidy wiring. The end result looked more like the traditional rat's nest.

       Oh yeah: If anyone knows where to get these housings, please let me know! I can't find them anywhere. The only ones close aren't close enough (Hammond, Teko, Rose-Bopla, Bud, etc.).

12-4-2008 - The final specs:

Here are the final specs for the I.N.M.:

IMP

• Domains (frequency range groups)
  
  • 4 switch-selected
    
• Frequency adjustment
  
  • Coarse and Fine
    
  • Fine scaling adjustment (relative to Coarse) - 5:1 to 25:1
    
• Range adjustment (range of frequency variance within domain)
  
  • Coarse and Fine
    
  • Fine scaling adjustment (relative to Coarse) - 5:1 to 25:1
    
• Low-Pass Filter
  
  • Bypassable
    
  • Variable cutoff
    
• Control Voltage (CV) inputs
  
  • Frequency: 0 to +5V
    
  • Range: 0 to +5V
    
• Output
  
  • variable
    

I.N.M.
Everything above plus the following:

• Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO):
  
  • Waveforms
    
  • Triangle
    
  • Square
• Frequency Modulation
  
  • Variable base frequency
    
  • Selectable modulation source
    
    • Signal from Imp
      
    • External signal
      
    • CV input: ±12V
      
  • Variable modulation depth
  • External signal input
    
    • Level control
      
    • Buffer
• Dual Voltage-Controlled Bandpass Filter (VCBPF), each channel:
  
  • Selectable Input
    
  • VCO Triangle
    
  • VCO Square
    
  • Imp signal
    
  • External signal
  • Center Frequency (fc)
    
    • Variable base fc
      
    • CV input: ±12V
      
    • Selectable control
      
    • Internal, CV, both
      
  • Filter bypass
    
  • Variable gain and Q
    


• Dual Voltage-Controlled Amplifier (VCA), each channel:
  
  • Variable level
    
  • CV input: ±12V
    

11-4-2008 - Prototype finally completed, samples below!

The picture (NOT the final enclosure! Just for prototyping!). The Black box is the Imp, while the two boxes comprise the I.N.M and will be in one enclosure when finalized.

The basic signal flow block diagram:

 

Here's some sound clips!

   There are four Domains (frequency ranges) for the noise generator. The I.N.M. Imp has a fixed Low-pass filter (LPF) for when the high end is too much (which is quite often). These samples are of the Imp section only:

Unfiltered		LPF
domain1_uf	3:07	domain1_f	3:10
domain2_uf	4:50	domain2_f	1:57
domain3_uf	3:01	domain3_f	1:10
domain4_uf	1:53	domain4_f	0:51

    Here are samples of the full I.N.M.. I first thought to group them by what was being manipulated, but that got boring. They are done free-form - varying parameters, switching sections in & out, and using my lovely circa 1962 function generator on the Control Voltage (CV) inputs. Nothing else was used.
   As many of you have undoubtedly discovered, it is damn near impossible to record "a couple samples". It's easy to get lost and end up with quasi-songs, or at least an hour or more of "samples". I trimmed some down, and left the more cohesive pieces together.
   DISCLAIMER: Note the ironic use of the word 'song'. This is a NOISE machine. However, if you like ambient glitch, they might count. heh.

bugs	0:46	Sound8	1:06
metallic	1:27	set1	0:59
percussive	3:12	sound3	2:22
fog horn	5:56	CV sampler	6:31
song2	2:17	Sampler3	7:49

    This one was fun: I connected a CD output to the external input of the I.N.M., and tried to pretend I could mix (just kidding, I am quite aware I can not.) Someone with a bit more skill than I could have some mixing fun, or add some variety to a set.
    The song is "Electronaut", by V.N.V. Nation

• Mangled Electronaut 6:32