Slug

Is there a way to build a true (avalanche noise) random number generator as opposed to one that bases it random numbers on an algorithm, using only max/msp software? Or do I have to build an external unit, like this one: 

http://robseward.com/itp/adv_tech/random_generator/

Is there a way to build a true (avalanche noise) random number generator as opposed to one that bases it random numbers on an algorithm, using only max/msp software? Or do I have to build an external unit, like this one: http://robseward.com/itp/adv_tech/random_generator/ in order to get true random numbers?

random-number-generators-in-max

On 29 Feb 2008, at 17:17, Robert Plant wrote:

> Is there a way to build a true (avalanche noise) random number 

> generator as opposed to one that bases it random numbers on an 

> algorithm, using only max/msp software?

There's no such thing as a "true" random number generator in software. 

As John von Neumann said, "Anyone who considers arithmetical methods 

of producing random digits is, of course, in a state of sin."

> Is there a way to build a true (avalanche noise) random number  
> generator as opposed to one that bases it random numbers on an  
> algorithm, using only max/msp software?

There's no such thing as a "true" random number generator in software.  
As John von Neumann said, "Anyone who considers arithmetical methods  
of producing random digits is, of course, in a state of sin."

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Litter Pro's got some nice number generators. Several different methods of generating numbers too.

I can't remember if the free version has many generators.

Litter Pro's got some nice number generators.  Several different methods of generating numbers too.

I can't remember if the free version has many generators.


The Litter Power Starter Pack offers about a dozen different random number distributions, packaged in 8 objects, plus a half-dozen noise generators.

Yes Virginia, these *are* random numbers. Really.

John von Neumann's tongue-in-cheek quote notwithstanding, random numbers generated by a good algorithm are more random than anything you can build in hardware. Note the qualifier 'good'. Good algorithms are hard to come by, but Litter Power uses some of the best. (This, unfortunately, cannot be said of the stock random object.)

Physical sources of randomness are all subject to skew and bias. See, for instance, for a more lengthy discussion.

Slug, if you want to build yourself a hardware pseudo-random number generator, nothing I say is going to stop you. But you might want to look at . The Global Conciousness Project is predicated on the thesis that physical randomness is *not* all that random.

BTW, the fine print of the hardware generator notes that it fails 25% of the tests for randomness it has been put through. The Tausworthe generator used in Litter Power passes the Diehard tests for randomness, one of the most stringent sets of statistical tests. See, for instance, 

http://www.cse.cuhk.edu.hk/~phwl/mt/public/archives/papers/zig_fpl05.pdf

John von Neumann's tongue-in-cheek quote notwithstanding, random numbers generated by a good algorithm are more random than anything  you can build in hardware. Note the qualifier 'good'. Good algorithms are hard to come by, but Litter Power uses some of the best. (This, unfortunately, cannot be said of the stock random object.)

Physical sources of randomness are all subject to skew and bias. See, for instance,  for a more lengthy discussion.

BTW, the fine print of the hardware generator notes that it fails 25% of the tests for randomness it has been put through. The Tausworthe generator used in Litter Power passes the Diehard tests for randomness, one of the most stringent sets of statistical tests. See, for instance, http://www.cse.cuhk.edu.hk/~phwl/mt/public/archives/papers/zig_fpl05.pdf (not for the faint of heart).


Random Number Generators In Max