make-noise/phonogene

Phonogene

Make Noise

Capabilities 4

Granular Synthesisgranular-synthesis
Gene Size divides the audio buffer into progressively smaller pieces (Genes/grains); Gene Shift clock steps through them chronologically; Slide scans through them non-linearly via CV.234
Looperlooper
Records audio to a 2MB nonvolatile buffer, loops it, allows punch-in/out recording, and non-destructive splice-based re-organization of segments via the Organize parameter.234
Sound On Soundsound-on-sound
234
Varispeed Playbackvarispeed-playback
Vari-Speed knob: bipolar speed and direction (12:00 stops). Modulating Vari-Speed produces wow & flutter. Vari-Speed CV input is bipolar -4 to +4V.234

Jacks 12 (10 in / 2 out)

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (10)
Gene Shiftclock≥1.5VClock/pulse input that advances PHONOGENE to next Gene in chronological order on each rising edge. Requires at least 1.5V.234
Gene Size CV Inputcv0V to 8V234
Organize CV Inputcv0V to 5V234
Play Pulse Inputtrigger≥1.5VRising-edge trigger input that starts playback. Normalized HIGH so PHONOGENE plays continuously with nothing patched. Needs at least 1.5V to operate.234
Record Pulse Inputtrigger≥1.5V234
Signal Inputaudio—234
Slide CV Inputcv-4V to 4V234
Sound On Sound CV Inputcv0V to 10VSets mix of previously recorded Loop with Live Signal when recording (Sound on Sound). Normalized to +10V so with nothing patched the SOS Attenuator acts as a panel control. Linear response.234
Splice Pulse Inputtrigger≥1.5V234
Vari-Speed CV Inputcv-4V to 4VBipolar speed and direction control: 0V stops playback, positive voltage plays forward, negative voltage plays in reverse.234
Outputs (2)
End Of Splice Outputtrigger—Outputs a 4 ms pulse at end of each splice (or end of loop when no splices are set). After firmware v.372h also pulses at end of each Gene when Gene Size is active.234
Signal Outputaudio—Audio output, 10Vpp (depends on input attenuator and source material), AC coupled.234

Parameters 11

NameTypeRangeBehavior
Gene Size Panel Controlknob—Sets the size divisor for granularization. At 0% (fully CCW) divisor is 1, playing the whole splice or loop. At maximum the loop is divided into up to 1/12th of the splice length. Nondestructive.234
Gene-Size Input Attenuatorknob—234
Organize CV Input Attenuatorknob—234
Organize Panel Controlknob—Selects next Splice to play. The currently playing Splice completes before the new one begins. LEDs flash when a new splice is found. Designed for sequential control sources such as sequencers with 5V range.234
Record buttonbutton—234
Signal Input Levelknob—Rotary attenuator for signal input. Set to 3:00 for line level sources, 9:00 for 10Vpp modular signals.234
Slide Bipolar Panel Controlknob—Scans/scrubs through Genes (grains) in the audio buffer. Sets center point for Slide CV modulation. Always dependent on Gene Size setting.234
Slide CV Input Attenuverterknob—234
Splice Buttonbutton—Momentary press drops a splice marker at current playback position. Hold for 3 seconds to enter Erase Routine (erases all splices; press REC while holding to also erase the audio buffer).234
Vari-Speedknob—Bipolar control for playback speed and direction. Center (12:00) stops playback. CW increases forward speed, CCW increases reverse speed. Also sets the sample rate during recording. Modulating enables Wow & Flutter effects.234
Vari-Speed CV Input attenuverterknob—234

Firmware history 1 version

VersionReleasedNotes
372h—Improved Audio Fidelity; Improved Vari-Speed response (shorter scale, greater resolution); End of Gene Pulse (EOS outputs pulses for both Splices and Genes when Gene Size is active); adds Broken Echo Mode for looping overdub/echo effects.234

References 2

  1. [234]
    Make Noise Phonogene Manualmanual
    source 234 canonical ↗ archived ↗
    ● verified 2026-05-06
  2. [235]
    Make Noise Phonogene product page (discontinued)product_page
    source 235 canonical ↗ archived ↗
    ● verified 2026-05-06