Make Noise / Spectraphon

Spectraphon is a dual spectral oscillator that creates new sounds from existing sounds through real-time spectral analysis and re-synthesis.

Spectraphon is a dual spectral oscillator that creates new sounds from existing sounds through real-time spectral analysis and re-synthesis. The module was coded by Tom Erbe of soundhack. It is inspired by classic electronic instruments of the past, such as spectral processors, additive synthesis, vocoders and resonators, notably the Buchla 296 and Touche, but also in the lineage of the Buchla 259 and the Make Noise DPO, which are classic It has a physical configuration similar to that of an analogue dual-complex oscillator.

The Spectraphon is the first module that Make Noise has produced on the new digital hardware platform, designed by Jeff Snyder and Tony Rolando, which offers higher resolution, more I/O and a lower noise floor than previous digital It has a lower noise floor than previous digital modules, allowing Tom Erbe's DSP code to operate at levels previously unreachable.

Spectraphon has two nearly equivalent sides, A and B, each available in two modes: Spectral Amplitude Modulation mode (SAM spectral amplitude modulation) or Spectral Array Oscillation mode (SAO spectral array oscillator). In SAM mode, the overtone amplitude is modulated by the sound input to the Spectraphon, rather than constantly oscillating like an analogue VCO. In this mode, the Spectraphon can be sequenced and Frequency Modulated (FM) like a VCO. At any time, an Array can be created from the current spectrum and stored for later use in SAO mode: in SAO mode, the Spectraphon always oscillates, and the output spectrum of odd and even harmonics is drawn from the stored Array.

The Slide and Focus controls work differently in each mode: in SAM mode they determine how the Spectraphon responds to the input sound, while in SAO mode they are used to modulate the Array.
In either mode (SAM or SAO), the Partials control acts as an amplitude and timbre gate for the output of odd and even harmonics, while the FM bus performs high-definition internal freqency modulation from the opposite side of the Spectraphon. Both sides can also interact via the internal FM bus, Follow mode, Sync mode and patching.

Dual digital VCOs, 8 outputs, 2 simultaneous audio inputs, 2 gate inputs and 10 CV inputs.
The most powerful digital module built on Make Noise's new digital hardware platform.
Coded by Tom Erbe of soundhack.
Spectral Amplitude Modulation mode (SAM Spectral Amplitude Modulation) creates spectral oscillations based on continuous analysis of the input audio signal.
Spectral Array Oscillation mode (SAO spectral array oscillation) creates a spectral oscillation based on a stored set of spectra, called an Array, created in SAM mode.
The two VCOs operate independently in SAO or SAM mode.
High-definition internal FM bus allows easy viewing of each other's harmonic ratios via tuning beacon LEDs.
Sub-oscillator / CV outputs provide access to unique sub-oscillator shapes, envelope followers or clock-synchronisable modulation sources.
Sine and Sub outputs operate independently of FM bus modulation.
Follow and Sync functions on side B allow for easy dual oscillator patches, tuned FM and hard sync sweeps.

Width: 34HP
Depth: 36 mm
Current consumption:
+12V : 230mA
-12V : 55mA