How do you actually get started on the Make Noise Maths?

The answer, in full

How to Use the Make Noise Maths

Maths starter patch: self-cycling LFO

The single best first move with Maths is to make one channel Cycle so it becomes an LFO you can see and hear. Once that clicks, everything else about the module opens up.

Steps

1. Turn Channel 1 into an LFOPress the Channel 1 Cycle Button. The Cycle LED lights and the channel self-oscillates, running a repeating rise/fall voltage. No cable needed for this part.
2. Watch it moveThe Ch.1 Unity LED shows the function looping: green for positive, red for negative. That blinking IS your LFO. This is the whole 'what does Maths do' moment.
3. Shape the wave with Rise and FallRise sets ramp-up time, Fall sets ramp-down time. Both full CCW = fast LFO; both CW = slow, up to minutes long. Twist them and watch the Unity LED speed change.
4. Bend the curve with Vari-ResponseThe Vari-Response knob morphs the shape from Logarithmic through Linear (tick mark) to Exponential/Hyper-Exponential. Same LFO, totally different feel of the swell.
5. Send the LFO out to modulate somethingPatch Channel 1 Variable Output to a CV destination (a filter cutoff or VCA on another module). The Ch.1 Attenuverter now scales and inverts how much LFO you send.
6. Try the envelope side tooInstead of Cycle, send a gate/clock into Channel 1 Trigger Input. Each trigger fires one 0V-to-10V rise/fall shaped by Rise/Fall/Vari-Response. That's a no-sustain envelope out the Variable Output.

Ideas to try

Maths modulating its own speed — Patch Channel 1 Variable Output into Channel 1 Both CV Input while Ch.1 is Cycling. The LFO now speeds up and slows down according to its own shape. Tiny attenuverter moves give you a warping, breathing LFO that never sits still. This self-patch is the classic 'aha' Maths trick.

Two LFOs beating against each other — Cycle both Channel 1 and Channel 4 at slightly different Rise/Fall settings, then take the SUM Bus Output. You get one combined, constantly shifting wave from two loopers drifting in and out of phase. Great slow evolving modulation from one module.

Cross-modulate for chaos — Cycle Ch.4, take Channel 4 Variable Output into Channel 1 Rise CV Input. Now Ch.4's LFO wobbles how fast Ch.1 rises. Add Ch.1's output back into Ch.4 and you're into generative, never-repeating territory.

Use it as a slew/portamento processor — Feed a stepped voltage (like a sequencer's pitch) into Channel 1 Signal Input with Cycle OFF, then take the Variable Output. Rise/Fall now smooth the jumps into glides. Same module, a completely different job.

Watch out

• When you use the SUM or OR outputs, any unused Ch.2/Ch.3 adds an offset. Set unused channels' attenuverters to 12:00 or drop a dummy cable into their Signal Input to avoid unwanted DC creeping in.