Random, chaotic, and full of potential. Noise is more than just hiss.
TLDR:
"Noise is a random signal - from gentle hiss to harsh bursts - used for percussion, effects, modulation, and adding texture to sounds."
What is Noise in Synthesis?
Noise is a signal with no pitch - just a constant stream of random frequencies. It might sound like radio static, wind, or TV snow. In synths, noise is surprisingly useful as a raw texture, modulation source, or randomness generator.
Types of Noise
White Noise: Equal energy across all frequencies. Bright, harsh, hissy. Great for snares, cymbals, or wind FX.
Pink Noise: Lower frequencies emphasized. More natural sounding, like distant thunder or ocean noise.
Red/Brown Noise: Even bassier and deeper - sometimes rumbly or subby.
Blue/Violet Noise: Boosted highs. More rare in synths, but usable for airy, bright textures.
Digital / Sampled Noise: Some modules use random step generators or quirky sources that aren't "pure" noise but still chaotic and musical.
Why Use Noise?
Drums: Layer with envelopes for snares, hats, claps, and more.
Textures: Use noise filtered and modulated for ambient beds or weird machines.
Modulation: Feed noise into a sample & hold or as CV randomness.
Noise is unpredictable and raw - which makes it super musical when used right. It’s also great for breaking out of clean, harmonic spaces and adding organic imperfections.