Old Blood Noise Iota Synth

A New Approach to Generative Synthesis

Old Blood Noise Endeavors introduces the Iota Tone Generator, a unique synthesizer designed to bring generative sound creation directly to your pedalboard. Developed in collaboration with musician Andy Othling, the Iota explores the creative possibilities of random and sequenced tones while maintaining a strong emphasis on musicality and expressive control. Rather than processing your guitar signal like a conventional effects pedal, the Iota generates its own sounds, making it a standalone instrument designed to interact with the effects already on your board.

At the heart of the Iota is a versatile oscillator that produces notes according to a collection of musical parameters you define. A bank of twelve illuminated buttons allows you to select a root note and establish the scale intervals used by the sequencer, making it possible to create everything from simple melodic patterns to complex chord-based arpeggios. With a five-octave range and a Scramble function that rearranges the order of selected notes, the Iota combines musical structure with controlled unpredictability.

The oscillator itself offers three distinct wavetable sounds, ranging from a slightly gritty sine wave to harmonically rich, mid-focused tones and more aggressive chiptune-style textures. A dedicated Noise control blends filtered white noise into the oscillator signal, opening the door to percussive sounds, unusual textures, and experimental synthesis. An adjustable envelope section provides further control over the volume and articulation of each note, with selectable shapes and timing options for everything from short pulses to smoother, evolving sounds.

The Iota's built-in sequencer offers extensive control over how notes are generated and arranged. Rate determines the tempo, while Direction and Range establish the movement and span of the sequence. Skip and Hold controls introduce random or patterned variations, allowing notes to be skipped or repeated for constantly evolving rhythmic phrases. Additional Swing, Glide, and Bend controls provide rhythmic feel, smooth pitch transitions, and vibrato-like movement, making the Iota equally capable of structured melodies and unpredictable generative compositions.

Designed for both hands-on performance and autonomous operation, the Iota features two multifunction footswitches. The main On/Off switch starts and stops the sequencer, while the auxiliary footswitch can be assigned to manual note triggering, Tap Tempo, or preset navigation. Twelve onboard presets allow you to save and recall different musical configurations, making it easy to move between sounds, chord structures, and sequences during a performance.

The Iota also offers mono and stereo output operation, with adjustable stereo width and notes that can move across the stereo field as the sequence progresses. An expression pedal input allows real-time control over multiple parameters, while MIDI connectivity provides additional options for integration with external equipment. A USB-C connection is included for firmware updates.

Whether used to generate ambient soundscapes, evolving arpeggios, rhythmic patterns, or experimental textures, the Iota becomes especially interesting when paired with delays, reverbs, modulation, distortion, and other effects. Equally at home on a desktop or pedalboard, the Old Blood Noise Endeavors Iota Tone Generator offers a distinctive approach to synthesis, turning your effects collection into an expressive instrument of its own.

Old Blood Noise Endeavors Iota Tone Generator Features

• Standalone tone-generating synthesizer developed in collaboration with Andy Othling

• Internal oscillator generates notes independently of a guitar input

• Twelve illuminated buttons for root note, scale interval, and preset selection

• Five-octave note range with adjustable root octave

• Scramble function randomly rearranges the order of selected notes

• Three oscillator wavetable sounds, from sine-like tones to harmonically rich chiptune textures

• Adjustable white noise blending for additional sound-shaping possibilities

• Envelope section with adjustable Mix, Length, and Shape

• Built-in sequencer with adjustable Rate, Direction, and Range

• Random and patterned Skip and Hold functions for evolving sequences

• Swing, Glide, and Bend controls for rhythmic and pitch variation

• Main On/Off footswitch with latching and momentary operation

• Auxiliary footswitch assignable to manual note triggering, Tap Tempo, or preset navigation

• Twelve onboard presets with global parameter override options

• Mono and stereo output operation with adjustable stereo width

• Expression pedal input for controlling multiple parameters simultaneously

• MIDI In and Out connections for external integration

• USB-C connection for firmware updates

• Power: 9V DC

• Current Draw: 250mA