If you’re familiar with different genres of noise music, you might appreciate the strange sounds produced by an ethernet cable plugged into a Eurorack module. The NSA Selector designed by Wenzellabs presents an innovative concept, featuring two ethernet ports along with an audio output. It captures data from the network and transmits it as sound, though not in the traditional audio formats such as MP3 or WAV.

Wenzellabs emphasizes that it does not act as an audio interface. The module simply taps into the traffic without altering it, transforming it into audio signals for experimental noise generation.

Wenzellabs has been testing the NSA Selector to demonstrate its capabilities. They found that the sounds vary based on network activity; for instance, scrolling through Google Maps produces noticeable audio feedback. Similarly, loading elements on web pages can create unique sounds. They even explored the potential of using image files to manipulate the type of sounds generated.

This device encourages creativity within the realm of modular synthesis, aligning well with the interests of enthusiasts looking to innovate and explore new soundscapes. If you’re inclined to experiment with your own network sounds, Wenzellabs offers the NSA Selector kit for $97 or fully assembled for $110 through Lectronz.

For additional fun, you can check out a demo of the NSA Selector’s capabilities here.