All the Cycles: Make Noise’s Multimod, Polimaths and the Art of Modular Modulation

The Multimod module is introduced as the first piece of Make Noise’s new universal synthesizer system, designed to play nicely with both Collymaths and QXG. This isn’t just another utility box; it’s positioned as a central hub for modulation and control, reflecting Make Noise’s fondness for modules that encourage open-ended patching and creative exploration.

From the outset, the video frames Multimod as a companion to Collymaths, with its development closely intertwined. The team admits that, during early design, many specifics were still in flux—a classic Make Noise approach, building tools for sonic discovery rather than following a strict blueprint. The channel index output, a key feature, was always intended to bridge Multimod and Collymaths, enabling advanced parameter control across the system.

The video spotlights the latest Multimod firmware update, which brings the channel index output in line with the emerging standard for Polimaths and related modules. Updating is straightforward: a USB-C data cable connects Multimod to your computer, and a web-based tool handles the rest. This is a welcome nod to modern modular workflows, where firmware tweaks can radically expand a module’s role in a rack.

Beyond the update process, the new firmware introduces selectable output ranges for Multimod’s internal LFOs. By holding reset and pressing shape, users can toggle between 0–10V, ±5V, and 0–5V outputs. This flexibility is especially handy when modulating bipolar parameters like Polimaths’ spread, and the video demonstrates how these voltage ranges interact with the module’s attenuverters for nuanced control.

Cycling functions are a Make Noise staple, and here the Polimaths module takes the concept further. Regular cycling mode works much like on Maths: each channel re-triggers itself at the end of its fall stage, but with Polimaths, this happens across eight channels simultaneously. The result is a dense web of interlocking envelopes or LFOs, ripe for complex modulation duties.

The video then introduces the follow-the-leader mode, accessed by a long press on the cycle button. In this mode, when one channel completes its fall phase, it triggers the next channel in sequence, creating a chain of functions. This opens up possibilities for cascading modulations and evolving rhythmic patterns, especially when multiple chains run in parallel.

There’s a practical note: chains only pause if the next channel is still in its rise phase when triggered. This subtlety allows for intricate timing interactions, making Polimaths a playground for anyone who enjoys building generative or algorithmic patches.

The final section explores how these tools can be used for stereo imaging and more ambitious multi-channel setups. With QXG’s X spread controls, Polimaths channels map neatly across the stereo field, allowing for patches that start heavily weighted to one side and bloom across the panorama as cycle chains are triggered. Adjusting the spread controls enables anything from hard-panned to evenly distributed outputs, giving the patcher fine control over spatial placement.

In true Make Noise fashion, the video closes by inviting the community to dive deeper—whether by asking questions about Polimaths’ more esoteric features or by joining the ongoing 12 String Iterative Music Project. The emphasis is on experimentation, collaboration, and the joy of discovering new sonic territory together.