PRO TIPS

COLOURING OUTSIDE THE LINES

Below, we used both white and pink noise, the colours available from Voltage Modular Nucleus’ Noise Generator module. As described, white noise consists of all frequencies at equal level, resulting in a full-frequency squall of pseudo-static. Pink noise is different. Our brief listen revealed a duller, more muted form of noise. That’s because the frequency content and amplitude of pink noise is different to its full-spectrum counterpart. To quote from the Moog Modular Synthesizer Owner’s Manual, pink noise “reduces the amplitude of each frequency increment proportionally to produce equal energy per octave”. That is, a white noise signal with some content removed. A typical noise generator circuit is built to generate the fullest spectrum possible (usually by selecting the dodgiest transistor, believe it or not!) and then that signal is split off and filtered by other components in the circuit (ie a network of resistors and capacitors), effectively creating the muted “pink” variant.

THIS NOISY PLACE

Noise is everywhere. In our tutorial, we used it to make the sound of surf. You can also use it to emulate wind and thunder. Noise is prevalent in the industrial world, too, whether the throbbing whoosh of a helicopter’s rotor blades, or the crunchy clack of a train. Want to emulate water drops in a stone cavern? Start with noise. Ditto for bursts of steam, gunshots and jet engines.

Acoustic and electric instruments invariably contain some noise. You’ll find noise in nearly any percussive sound, even that produced by a chromatic instrument such as a marimba – it’s right at the beginning of each note, where the striker hits the surface. The same goes for kicks and tom-toms.

Similarly, the sound of a plectrum striking a guitar string is full of noise, as is the sound of a bow dragging across a cello’s strings. Furthermore, you’ll hear noise in the sound of the flute, most prominently in the burst of air at the start of a note. Yep, noise is everywhere!