@@JoshuaKennedy321 So---a year later---what's your thoughts on this gem. Do you still have it? Does it make more sense? How do you use it most often? Really interested in this one. And thank you!
@@JohnoWells It's closer to two years later and yes, I still have it. The Cipher is one of my most-used modules that finds a place in almost every patch. The CV outs are more useful to me than the gates. I rely on Cipher mostly for modulation but the CV patterns also work (when attenuated) as melodic sequences. The output is positive voltage only and is "stepped" since it is an analog interpretation of an 8-bit number. As far as I can tell the four CVs are derived by combining the bits in different order. The bit sequence is a digital shift register. Bit 1 is derived from the state of the Data input (high or low relative to a threshold which I think is 1v but don't quote me on that.) At each clock pulse, all the bits move down one position and a new one is sampled at position 1. I still don't know how the two Data jacks interact. Are they just summed into the 1v comparator or are they logic'ed together? Plugging 0v into Data 1 will turn all bits off after 8 steps (and a steady high signal will turn them all on) but plugging 0v into Data 2 won't do this. The documentation says you have to feed it a Data signal to make it do anything but this is not true. Mine powers up with all bits on; all I have to do is connect a clock and it starts generating a pattern (with no Data input the pattern is the same every time as far as I can tell). There's supposedly a XOR combination of the shift register output with Data input but I have not been able to figure out logically how it works. TL;DR I use it all the time as a quick semi-random sequencer, and occasionally as a gate source. It makes a lot more sense 2 years later but it still has some mysteries.
@@JoshuaKennedy321 oh, man--thank you so much for this detailed and awesome reply. Really appreciate it. Another example of our amazing community. I think I'll be getting this module.
Well actually it has 9 gate outs and 4 CV outs which produce a pseudo-random stepped voltage in sync with the clock. There's also a "strobe" input which I didn't get into this time; when Strobe is high (or was it low? can't recall at the moment) it freezes all of the outputs except Super Serial, which keeps firing as it normally would.
Im looking for a module to generate pseudo random looping gate patterns out of LFOs etc, this and drezno both seem like good shouts, do you have a favourite? The CV outs on the 8 bit cipher are a nice bonus, Im not overly bothered about the stuff drezno does with audio.
Definitely the Cipher for me. I use it a lot more than Drezno, but these days I mostly use the CV outs. If you're using them to generate gate patterns, consider the following: The Cipher uses a shift register and is only looking for an on/off state at the data input, so if you feed it a sloping LFO the subtleties will be ignored and it will be treated as if it was a square wave. Assuming you use a steady clock, changes in LFO rate will change the gate patterns, but in odd, non-obvious ways. Drezno uses a direct analog-to-digital converter so the shape of your LFO will affect it, as well as the rate. Altering the input signal will change the gate patterns in obvious and immediate ways. Both modules can be clocked "irregularly" i.e. they do not require a steady tempo. For the specific application you described, I think Drezno would be more satisfying to use. But for long-term versatility in lots of different kind of patches, the 8 Bit Cipher is the clear winner.
@@JoshuaKennedy321 thanks for the detailed response. If I can be so churlish as to press you further: drezno is better for gate patterns because it requires less tinkering/more taming? I guess I want the one that produces the wider array of vibes. Did you find the gate patterns these modules produce got a bit samey? The fact that it's cheaper and also produces CV has me leaning towards Cipher. Let's Splosh also looks pretty nice...
@@sumocloud Drezno seems more sensitive, or responsive I guess. It's easier to get noticeable changes and it's simpler to control them, whereas the Cipher depends on the interference pattern between your clock and your data signal. Drezno produces wilder patterns and the bits are arranged so if you're feeding it a simple triangle wave the slower-changing ones are at the top and the busier ones are at the bottom. Cipher feels a lot more "samey" ... but those 4 CV outputs are really worth having. If my 8 Bit Cipher got damaged I would replace it. Drezno, I don't think I would buy again.
Source of uncertainty? Give me more please!
Yeah it is more "uncertain" than random (not random at all actually, but its pattern generation is complex enough my human brain can't predict it)
Love your style, man. Super fun.
Thanks!
@@JoshuaKennedy321 So---a year later---what's your thoughts on this gem. Do you still have it? Does it make more sense? How do you use it most often? Really interested in this one. And thank you!
@@JohnoWells It's closer to two years later and yes, I still have it. The Cipher is one of my most-used modules that finds a place in almost every patch. The CV outs are more useful to me than the gates. I rely on Cipher mostly for modulation but the CV patterns also work (when attenuated) as melodic sequences. The output is positive voltage only and is "stepped" since it is an analog interpretation of an 8-bit number. As far as I can tell the four CVs are derived by combining the bits in different order. The bit sequence is a digital shift register. Bit 1 is derived from the state of the Data input (high or low relative to a threshold which I think is 1v but don't quote me on that.) At each clock pulse, all the bits move down one position and a new one is sampled at position 1. I still don't know how the two Data jacks interact. Are they just summed into the 1v comparator or are they logic'ed together? Plugging 0v into Data 1 will turn all bits off after 8 steps (and a steady high signal will turn them all on) but plugging 0v into Data 2 won't do this. The documentation says you have to feed it a Data signal to make it do anything but this is not true. Mine powers up with all bits on; all I have to do is connect a clock and it starts generating a pattern (with no Data input the pattern is the same every time as far as I can tell). There's supposedly a XOR combination of the shift register output with Data input but I have not been able to figure out logically how it works.
TL;DR I use it all the time as a quick semi-random sequencer, and occasionally as a gate source. It makes a lot more sense 2 years later but it still has some mysteries.
@@JoshuaKennedy321 oh, man--thank you so much for this detailed and awesome reply. Really appreciate it.
Another example of our amazing community. I think I'll be getting this module.
2 CV ins & 8 Outs? OMG I would have a ball with this.... I can connect this to my braids mutable instruments
Well actually it has 9 gate outs and 4 CV outs which produce a pseudo-random stepped voltage in sync with the clock. There's also a "strobe" input which I didn't get into this time; when Strobe is high (or was it low? can't recall at the moment) it freezes all of the outputs except Super Serial, which keeps firing as it normally would.
Reasonably Priced! And bonkers, just like most NLC modules...
Can I ask, what camera was used for this? GoPro or similar?
I use a Zoom Q2n which I chose because a) it's relatively cheap and b) it has an audio in jack so I can record direct from my mixer.
Im looking for a module to generate pseudo random looping gate patterns out of LFOs etc, this and drezno both seem like good shouts, do you have a favourite? The CV outs on the 8 bit cipher are a nice bonus, Im not overly bothered about the stuff drezno does with audio.
Definitely the Cipher for me. I use it a lot more than Drezno, but these days I mostly use the CV outs. If you're using them to generate gate patterns, consider the following:
The Cipher uses a shift register and is only looking for an on/off state at the data input, so if you feed it a sloping LFO the subtleties will be ignored and it will be treated as if it was a square wave. Assuming you use a steady clock, changes in LFO rate will change the gate patterns, but in odd, non-obvious ways.
Drezno uses a direct analog-to-digital converter so the shape of your LFO will affect it, as well as the rate. Altering the input signal will change the gate patterns in obvious and immediate ways.
Both modules can be clocked "irregularly" i.e. they do not require a steady tempo.
For the specific application you described, I think Drezno would be more satisfying to use. But for long-term versatility in lots of different kind of patches, the 8 Bit Cipher is the clear winner.
@@JoshuaKennedy321 thanks for the detailed response. If I can be so churlish as to press you further: drezno is better for gate patterns because it requires less tinkering/more taming? I guess I want the one that produces the wider array of vibes. Did you find the gate patterns these modules produce got a bit samey? The fact that it's cheaper and also produces CV has me leaning towards Cipher. Let's Splosh also looks pretty nice...
@@sumocloud Drezno seems more sensitive, or responsive I guess. It's easier to get noticeable changes and it's simpler to control them, whereas the Cipher depends on the interference pattern between your clock and your data signal. Drezno produces wilder patterns and the bits are arranged so if you're feeding it a simple triangle wave the slower-changing ones are at the top and the busier ones are at the bottom. Cipher feels a lot more "samey" ... but those 4 CV outputs are really worth having. If my 8 Bit Cipher got damaged I would replace it. Drezno, I don't think I would buy again.
@@JoshuaKennedy321 cool that's really useful, thanks!