Scaepe Noisferatu: an open-source generative noisescape Synthesizer

Scaepe Noisferatu is an open-source, pocket-sized generative noisescape Synthesizer with five colorful algorithmic engines.

Noise is generally not desirable in music unless it’s used intentionally. Use it to give a classic, clean synth sound character. You can also create sounds or music using only noise. Fans of harsh noise or experimental music will know what I’m talking about. 

Berlin-based developer Robert Heel, aka scaepe, has developed a complete noise-based Synthesizer called Noisferatu that delves deeply into noise.

Scaepe Noisferatu

Noisferatu is a noise Synthesizer that focuses on creative, generative textures, unusual patterns, and playable patches. It’s a synth, or better, a noise machine that always gives you evolving harmonic drones and crushed mayhem in a portable device.

The firmware and schematics for the Scaepe Noisferatu are open source. This allows the synth to evolve either into a larger noise machine or into one with new algorithms from third-party developers. Yes, the engine uses algorithms.

Noisferatu features 45 original algorithms across five banks – no Mutable recycling. Each algorithm follows its own concept.

It uses and abuses creative approaches like generative wavetables, BitBend address manipulation, probability gates, bitwise logic operations, and wild combinations of these.

For example, the first nine algorithms use a shared 4000-sample wavetable, each with different generative and manipulators.

• bank 1: wavetables – glitchy burts and evolving soundscapes: from sparse crackles to dense digital chaos 
• bank 2: noise textures – noise, dust, and rhythmic grain: from windy hiss to clicks, crackles, and bursts
• bank 3: bitbend: warped, stuttering, and unpredictable: always shifting, never settling 
• bank 4: blips & tones: melodies, chords, and rhythmic blips – the most tonal bank 
• bank 5: logic disorder: two oscillators fighting each other: pure digital mayhem.

Constantly Evolving

These algorithms produce all kinds of endless crackling textures, noisy scapes, evolving drones, harmonic blips, and digital chaos.

Each algorithm is tweakable with four knobs: A, B, crush, and reduce. You can shape them, but they are not fully controllable as they are constantly evolving. So, they have their life of its own.

This characteristic of Scaepe Noisferatu creates surprises designed to inspire. Furthermore, repetition is minimized.

Alongside the parameter knobs, it also has a volume slider, buttons to select the algorithms, and a simple display. The hardware comes with a flippable front and back panel. On the backside, you have an audio output and a USB-C port for power.

 

First Impression

Here you can fully indulge in the fascination of noise. This synth nicely shows how colorful and rich noise can be. It’s more than your classic white and pink noise. Noisferatu looks like a very fun noise synth that’s going on my list. 

Scaepe Noisferatu is available now as an open-source project on GitHub. Full DIY kits will be available at Thonk for £69. 

More information here: Scaepe 

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