music-thing-modular/turing-machine
Turing Machine
A binary shift-register random looping sequencer that produces clocked stepped randomly changing control voltages. Sequences can be fully random, gradually slipping, or locked into repeating loops of configurable length.1172
Capabilities 5
- Clocked Randomclocked-random
- 1172
- Random CV Generatorrandom-cv-generator
- 1172
- Random Sourcerandom-source
- 1172
- Sequencersequencer
- Acts as a probabilistic sequencer steerable between fully random and locked looping states; cannot program specific pitches but can be guided toward desired outcomes.1172
- Shift Registershift-register
- Built around two 4015 dual 4-bit shift registers forming a 16-bit loop whose bits are selectively flipped by a noise comparator.1172
Jacks 5 (2 in / 3 out)
| Name | Signal | Voltage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inputs (2) | |||
| CLK | clock | — | External clock input; each rising edge advances the shift register by one step.1172 |
| CV | cv | — | Externally modulates the LOOP/change knob probability; combined with the main knob to determine bit-flip likelihood.1172 |
| Outputs (3) | |||
| NOISE | audio | — | Raw noise output from the on-board transistor noise generator; not independently buffered so using it may affect the rest of the circuit.1172 |
| PULSE | gate | — | Rhythmic gate output locked to the sequencer clock; goes high for shift-register steps whose value exceeds 1.5V, producing a cyclic trigger pattern that mutates with the sequence.1172 |
| VOLTAGE | cv | 0V to 5V | 1172 |
Parameters 4
| Name | Type | Range | Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| LENGTH | switch | 2steps – 16steps | Sets the loop length in steps. Available positions are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, and 16. When the LOOP knob is at 7 o'clock the effective loop length doubles.1172 |
| LOOP | knob | — | Controls probability that each incoming bit is randomized versus fed back into the shift register. At noon the sequence is fully random; turned clockwise toward 5 o'clock it locks into a repeating loop; fully counter-clockwise at 7 o'clock it doubles the loop length.1172 |
| SCALE | knob | — | Sets the output voltage range of the main CV output, from zero up to several octaves (approximately 5V maximum).1172 |
| WRITE | switch | — | Momentary switch that injects a zero bit into the shift register when pressed, used to manually steer or reset the sequence.1172 |
Firmware history 0 versions
No firmware history recorded.
References 4
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[1169]
Turing Machine product page — Music Thing Modularproduct_page● verified 2026-06-09
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[1170]
Turing Machine Mk1 documentation (block diagram + circuit description)manual● verified 2026-06-09
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[1171]
Turing Machine MkII GitHub repository (README + build notes)manual● verified 2026-06-09
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[1172]
Sound on Sound — Music Thing Modular Turing Machine MkII reviewthird_party_review⚠ verified 2026-06-09 · manufacturer changed since last verified