like an onion

These just got announced: Noise Engineering Ampla Legio (a multimode filter/gate with envelope), Fala Versio (formant filter with folding & distortion), and Toros Iteritas Alia (FM oscillator with unique algorithms and control, especially great for drones). I had the pleasure of beta testing them and I have to say, Toros quickly became my favorite Noise Engineering oscillator of all time. I like it so much that it threatens the flexible status of my Alia, so at some point I may have to grab another one for Manis and Cursus and the other things. This is how they getcha…

Toros and Fala are the redacted modules that I used on Arranged Coincidences (I have made a note to update my notes).


I’ve started working on a study of Xaoc Odessa. It’s designed to make additive synthesis simpler to work with, and it succeeds at that admirably. The manual explains the theory well, too. So I’m just going to concentrate on a few observations and tricks, and combining it with other modules. It’ll probably be a pretty short article.

The one for Spectraphon will be much more involved — possibly more so than the Shapeshifter or Synchrodyne studies were. (What is it with modules that begin with S?) Make Noise manuals are generally quite good, but I have a bit more of an explanation of how it works technically. SAM and SAO modes are pretty complicated, and array creation for SAO is itself kind of an art (which I need to study again). Chaos and Noise modes are simpler but there’s still a bit to say about those too.


The quest for better personal nonbinary expression is going well so far — it’s already brought me some confidence and happiness and a little bit of gender euphoria. And so far it’s simply come from a little research into style and raiding my own closet. Everything I’ve been wearing comes from the mens’ aisle — I’ve just been more thoughtful and deliberate and slightly educated with it. For instance, I’ve discovered layering. (I like my loose/oversized button-up shirts — putting one either unbuttoned or half-buttoned over a t-shirt or tank changes everything.) I’ve been dressing at home just about like I’d dress to go out, which makes me feel less slobby and is good practice. Means doing more laundry, but okay.

I do have a few new things on the way — some staples to cover basic wardrobe gaps, but also slightly funky boots (mens’ but could lean either way), seriously funky boots (theoretically unisex, definitely an experiment), a couple of shirts designed for nonbinary people (masculine cut but slightly more feminine in colors/pattern), even some leggings (experimental; if they are terrible for my body type they can probably go under jeans on cold days). Some of my old clothes in good condition, and the boots if they are just too much, will get donated to a local trans charity.

There’s also a couple pieces of sort of subtle nonbinary pride jewelry on the way from Etsy stores, and a pair of small magnetic clip-on earrings (another experiment, I’m really uncertain but curious).

Perhaps my confidence will build over time and I’ll get more adventurous, perhaps not. But this is already a win, especially compared to my much more awkward efforts years ago.