The Nervous Squirrel Zeno’s Paradox is a deep clock divider with 30 outputs, each halving the frequency of the one before, capable of dividing an incoming clock/audio signal by up to 1,073,741,824. It accepts either CV or audio-rate signals, and resets via trigger or manual pushbutton. With its ultra-wide range and audio-rate response, it’s ripe for experimental modular patching.
Below are patching and modulation techniques tailored for:
Patch:
- Feed a drum machine output, noise burst, or sharp percussive audio into CLOCK IN.
- Patch several divider outputs (e.g. /4, /16, /256) to different VCAs or ring modulators, applying envelopes to each for percussive articulation.
- Sequence resetting with triggers for rhythmically chopped results.
Modulation Tips: - Reset Jack: Modulate with a random or sequenced trigger pattern to create glitchy, syncopated rhythms. - Clock Rate: Use an audio-rate oscillator or LFO with waveform folding/distortion before the Clock In for unexpected percussive timbres. - Noise as Clock: Patch white noise into Clock In for “sample & hold” like percussive textures, where each output will have unique filtered characteristics.
Patch: - Send a sawtooth or square VCO running at audio rate to CLOCK IN. - Take several outputs (/2, /4, /8, etc.) and patch through overdrive, wavefolders, and filters to create stacked sub and mid-bass layers. - Use a sequencer or RYO Voltage Controlled Switch (or equivalent) to rhythmically switch between divider outputs, creating fast, shifting basslines.
Modulation Tips: - Manual Reset: Use for wild rhythmic stutter effects – punch in a reset with a trigger transformer or footswitch for live performance. - Envelope-Follower: Use a kick drum’s envelope to modulate the audio rate going into the clock, imparting sidechain-like pulses to the divider's output. - Filter/FX Chains: Each output is a square wave at varying octaves; send some through waveshaping modules to add digital grit, or ring mod them for FM-like tones.
Patch: - Patch filtered white noise or a slowly modulating oscillator into CLOCK IN. - Use a deep clock division output (/131,072 and above) as a control voltage to modulate wavetable position, filter cutoff, or reverb/wet mix on other synth voices. - Send divider outputs to control Vactrol-based modules for subtle, evolving changes.
Modulation Tips: - Slow LFO to Reset: Every few bars, reset the counters to re-sync evolving pad harmonies or filter textures, creating an “otherworldly” regularity. - Subtle Audio-Rate Modulation: Use the highest divider outputs as low-frequency oscillators for tremolo or warped vibrato on sustained sounds. - Multichannel Pads: Process several divider stages differently and mix them for a harmonically rich pad with constantly morphing, ghostly overtones.
Explore multi-output patching, cascading clock resets, and feeding it anything but regular clocks for endless modular mayhem!