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The newest module in the Wiard system is the Woggle
Bug. The Woggle Bug is an utterly unique module
that produces complex random voltages and tones. It reproduces
the set of random voltages available from the original Buchla
Model 265 "Source of Uncertainty" module. This long
out of production module is representative of the most musical
random voltage generators produced in the first "Golden
Age" of modular synthesizers.
The Woggle Bug adds 4 permanently coupled audio VCOs to the
random voltage outputs. Through a design trick, the single
mechanical module contains the equivalent functionality of
18 electrical modules. Obviously, all the patch points
cannot be brought out to the front panel.
The modules are permanently patched into a unique arrangement
of two identical "Woggle Bugs" and their "Child
Tones". Each Woggle Bug has 3 control voltage inputs,
4 control voltage outputs and 5 audio outputs. Child tones
are the ring modulated outputs of the two Woggle Bug "parents".
The control voltage outputs are the reason for the module
and correspond to the more traditional sample and hold units
with lag processors as found in other modulars. The module
produces stepped, smoothed (lag processed) and "woggled"
(stepped voltages with decaying sinusoids at the edges) control
voltages in the range of 0 to 10 volts. These voltages are
usable with any other brand of voltage controlled modular.
The audio tones are essentially a "free" add-on
due to the design trick. The smooth voltages are produced
by cascaded lag processors which produce a "very"
smooth voltage that produces natural sounding wind and surf
patches.
The module as a whole produces 10 simultaneously available
electronic tonalities. The tonalities are deliberately very
raw in nature. Part of the 1950's sound is the simple square
and sawtooth waveforms output by electronic test equipment.
Mixed together and put through a tape delay, well, you'll
be doing battle with your Id monster in no time!
This applies to only some settings of the 10 controls and
some of the 10 outputs. Other settings produce the sound of
very large insects, or swarms of large insects. It can
not make keyboard sounds and can not be controlled
by a keyboard. Hooray!
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