Make Noise PoliMATHS: A Deep Dive into Span Modes and Modular Possibilities

PoliMATHS, Make Noise’s latest foray into multi-channel modular control, is all about extracting maximum variety from minimal inputs. The video opens by framing the module’s central concept: three distinct span modes—Channel Index, Round, and Parallel—that each offer a unique way to activate and pattern the eight available channels. This isn’t just about triggering gates; it’s about sculpting the very logic of how functions are distributed across your rack.

The approach is both flexible and creatively open-ended. By pairing the Span and Activate controls, users can morph between modes that mimic voltage addressing, sequencing, and clock division. The result is a platform that encourages experimentation, letting you move from simple strums to complex, evolving patterns with just a few tweaks. As is typical for Make Noise, the focus is on giving the user tools to invent their own workflows rather than prescribing a single way to patch.

Channel Index mode is introduced as a kind of voltage address system, where the Span control selects which channel is active. At its simplest, turning the Span knob points to a channel, activating it directly; at midnight, no channel is selected, and moving left or right picks out channels in either direction. The real magic, however, comes when Span is placed under voltage control, allowing external CV to dynamically select channels and create intricate activation patterns.

The video demonstrates this with a cycling Maths function, effectively strumming through all eight channels. By introducing more complex CV sources—like mixing in random voltages from a Wogglebug or clock signals from Tempi—the patterns become increasingly nuanced and unpredictable. The patching escalates with the use of the Jumbler, jumbling voltages before they hit Span, and then routing the resulting outputs for further modulation. This mode excels at generating evolving, non-repetitive patterns, especially when combined with other Make Noise modules.

Round mode is presented as the most straightforward of the trio, ideal for those who want classic sequencing behaviour with a modular twist. Here, patching a clock to Activate steps through the channels in order, with the Span setting determining the step size and direction. Setting Span to 1 produces a simple eight-step sequence, while negative values or offsets allow for reverse or skipping patterns.

The mathematical implications of Span settings are explored: odd values cycle through all channels, while even values target only subsets, such as alternating pairs. The video highlights the creative potential of modulating the Span parameter itself, using clocks or random voltages to dynamically alter the sequence. This opens up a world of evolving patterns, from straightforward step sequences to more complex, shifting arrangements—all with minimal patching overhead.

Parallel mode shifts gears, functioning much like a clock divider that spreads activations across the eight channels. The Activate input drives the division, while the Span control determines how those divisions are distributed—turning left or right skews the frequency of activations towards one side of the channel array. This approach echoes the linear distribution found in traditional keyboards, but with a modular flexibility.

The demonstration shows how muting certain channels and rerouting outputs to other modules (like Mimeophone and Jumbler) can yield layered, textural results. The less frequently activated channels become sources of sporadic modulation or echo effects, while the main voices maintain rhythmic consistency. This mode is particularly suited to creating polyrhythms, distributed modulation, and evolving textures, making it a powerful tool for anyone looking to break out of rigid sequencing paradigms.