Wenzellabs — NSA Selector

• Manual PDF

NSA Selector Manual (PDF)
If the above link doesn't work, view the Github page here

Using the NSA Selector for Hyper-Complex, Densely Rhythmic Percussion in Eurorack

The NSA Selector is not a traditional voice, oscillator, or standard effects module. Instead, it is a network-to-audio converter that taps raw Ethernet traffic, translates network data (at the physical, not protocol level) into a 4-bit, 25MS/s audio stream, and spits it out as audio. This opens up a new world of using network activity as a source of wild, unpredictable, or programmable rhythmic complexity.

What The NSA Selector Is

• Not an audio interface: It doesn’t play back audio files (no MP3, WAV, etc. playback).
• Network stream to audio: Any data packet on the network can form the audio stream—ideal for taking advantage of the density and complexity of network traffic as a random or controlled audio/percussive source.
• Eurorack format, 4HP, audio output, dual Ethernet in/out.

Generating Dense, Complex Percussion with the NSA Selector

1. Harness Network Activity for Percussion

• Patch the audio output of the NSA Selector directly to a VCA, filter, or distortion.
• Run actual network traffic, triggers, or patterns using tools/scripts on your computer, and use these as a percussive "sequencer".
• Methods:
  • Use the sequencer shell script (provided in the repo) to send ping bursts at complex, programmable intervals; network packet sizes/spacing will directly shape the rhythm.
  • Transfer large, uncompressed images (.bmp) or other files for continuous bursts of network noise — the file size, structure, and transmission method will shape the rhythmic activity!
  • Run or write custom scripts to output traffic in arbitrary, algorithmic, generative, or polyrhythmic pulse streams.
  • Trigger multiple devices on the network to talk at polyrhythmic or odd-time intervals (especially with multiple scripts running at odd timer divisors).

2. Embrace Polyrhythms & Complex Timings

• Desynchronize multiple traffic sources (for example, multiple computers, VMs, or scripts) running at cycles that relate by complex ratios (e.g., 7/8 vs 9/8 vs 13/8): the composite traffic will organically create dense, interlocking polyrhythms.
• Change packet size, intervals, source/destination pairs; these all skew the resulting rhythm, producing off-kilter grooves.
• Use tools like ping, netcat, or custom UDP/TCP spamming scripts with variable timings to "play" the network as your percussion generator.

3. Enhance & Sculpt Percussive Complexity in the Modular System

• Processing: Patch NSA Selector’s output through:
  • Envelopes/VCA: Use an envelope follower to extract rising/falling dynamics out of the noise for punchy, squelchy percussive accents.
  • Filters: Sculpt the noise to sweep or emphasize certain frequency bands that correspond to desired percussive elements.
  • Distortion/Wavefolder: Crunch the network noise for extra punch and sizzle.
  • VCAs/Gates: Use sidechained gates to chop up the noise or isolate traffic bursts as discrete drum hits.
• Use as an audio-rate modulator to introduce digital "texture" into otherwise-acoustic percussion sources—try ring modulation or AM with more traditional drum voices for glitchy, NSA-infused percussion.

4. Unique & Punchy Voice Design Tips

• Layering: Mix NSA Selector with other percussive sources—use as a transient, a noise burst, or add texture/ambience.
• Feedback: Route the output into a delay or effect, then back into your network setup (by broadcasting the audio back as traffic for recursive, evolving rhythms).
• MIDI/Software Sync: Develop a custom script to send network "hits" from a MIDI sequencer, channeling your DAW or controller’s polyrhythmic chops directly into the NSA Selector.

5. Random/Chaotic Percussion Approach

• Plug the module onto a network used by other people/devices for unpredictable, stochastic percussion sourced from real-world events.
• Map the density of traffic to filter cutoff, envelope, or other CV-able parameters, for network-to-control-voltage mapped complexity.

Recommended Patch Example

NSA Selector Audio Out
  → Mult
  → VCA #1         → Channel 1 Mixer (main percussion)   → Output
  → Bandpass Filter → VCA #2 (Env Follower’d)            → Fuzz → Mixer (snare/grit layer) → Output
  → Envelope Follower (from original out) → CV for VCA/Gate/Envelope Retrigger

NSA Selector Audio Out
  → Sequencer Input (sample-and-hold or logic) for generating random triggers

Explore deeply: “Be creative!”
The manual stresses experimentation: This module is meant for unique, one-of-a-kind rhythmic and percussive effects that break the grid. The intersection between networking and Eurorack is the sound of techno-anarchy!

GitHub: Generated With Eurorack Processor