Dialing a Phone is Playing a Song

video upload by MAKEN0ISE

"'Dialing a phone is playing a song,' says guest host Pete! In this video, we discuss the informational-sonics of the Touch Tone age, as well as strategies for synthesizing these nostalgic sounds with gear you likely have at home!

Timestamps for the various topics covered can be found below:

Intro: 0:00
Tone Dialing Frequencies: 1:05
Tuning Strategy: 2:51
Dial Tone: 3:27
Ringback Tone: 4:09
Busy Tone: 4:46
Handset Speaker: 6:08
Dial-Up Modem: 8:56
Outro: 11:10

Tuning is a big part of the patches covered here, and the frequencies referenced throughtout can all be found in this document: https://condor.depaul.edu/sjost/361/m...

Additionally, as indicated in the overview of the final patch, recommended settings can be found below:

"The Dial-Up Modem"

To begin, press PGM-A and PGM-B together to enter the 0-Coast's Arpeggiator mode.

Next, engage Cycle on Slope and set Rise and Fall fully CCW, with Shape set to Expo. Patch the EOC out to the Tempo input of the 0-Coast's Clock section.

Panel settings
Balance: fully CCW
Contour: Onset is CCW, Sustain is CW, Decay is 9:00 or so. Shape is your choice but Log is a good place to start.
Oscillator pitch is around 10:00
Overtone and Multiply do not matter in this patch— with Balance set fully CCW we will not be hearing their effects.
Dynamics: 3:00

Finally, patch a MIDI controller to the 0-Coast's MIDI input and play some chords— the arpeggiator will cycle through them at audio rate, producing timbres similar to those of the classic Dial-Up Modem sound.

What are some of your favorite sounds from the Touch Tone age? Do you ever use them in your music? Share memories and links in the comments below!

Should you find yourself on Instagram, stop by the Make Noise channel for daily videos from Pete! / makenoisemusic

Thanks for watching and happy patching!

http://www.makenoisemusic.com"