CHAOS

Create intricate melodies as well as complex beats and soundscapes with the Behringer CHAOS, an analog Eurorack module capable of random sampling. Control clock speeds, trigger and CV probability, scale length for some over-the-top melodies, ambient washes and grooves in an infinitely tweakable module.

Heads and Tails

When talking about the CHAOS it’s best to break it down into two parts, the t section, and the X section. The t section generates gates at random that are tied to a master clock. The X section generates three random voltages which are clocked to the t section. Each section is infinitely tweakable and can be patched to different sources to create some truly unique sequences.

Warped Speed

Within the t section, there are three main outputs: t1, t2 and t3. A master clock is generated out of t2. You can “warp” this clock by turning the Jitter knob clockwise or counterclockwise. This simulates the minor imperfections a musician may have when playing to a metronome to give your beats a more natural feel.

Controlled Probability

The t section of the CHAOS features three modes. In the green mode, a coin is tossed at each pulse of t2 which determines if the output passed to t1 or t3. The orange mode multiplies and divides t1 and t3 respectively by a random ratio. Lastly, the red mode alternates between t1 and t3. Within these three modes, you can control how often t1 or t3 is triggered, multiplied and divided by turning the Bias knob left or right.

X Mark’s the Spot

Similar to the t section, the X section also features three outputs, X1, X2 and X3 which can be triggered from any of the outputs in the t section or other external sources like the Behringer BRAINS. The voltage output can be manipulated with the Step control. Turning this knob counterclockwise smooths out the voltage steps while turning the knob clockwise sets the voltages to bounce around a scale from chromatic, major, major thirds and all the way down to octaves.

Opposite Ends

The X section also features its own mode switch that can change how the X outputs behave. The green mode allows all X outputs to follow the settings on the control panel. Orange sets X2 to follow the control panel with X1 and X3 taking opposite values from the settings on the control panel. Red has X1 follow the control panel, X2 remains unbiased and X3 reacting opposite from X1.