jrfox92 wrote:
I still have no idea what these modules actually do.
Well, what they do other than give you radiation poisoning, that is.

This one is a VCA, distortion module involving electromagnetic interference...i think.
From manual:
Simply wire up the power connector (red/-12V to bottom as shown above) and
plug in audio or control voltage signals to signal in, output from signal out and
play with the amplification knob.
The earth coffin/container will pick up stray electromagnetic signals, particularly
if your hand is placed close to the earth.
Patching in an external earth pile will switch out the local earth container. You
can plug two minijacks between an earth pile or forest site and the earth-labelled
uppermost jack sockets of the module. Any conductive material will also work
with differing properties. Note that only the tip of the minijack should be
connected to the earth pile.
Do not expose the ERD/ERD to extremes of high or low temperature or to
direct sunlight. Condensation may appear in the ERD window and this is no
cause for concern.
Further reading
Technology and the Plague:
http://www.1010.co.uk/org/plague.html
So, I guess the box of dirt or "earth" causes random modulations/noise on the audio/cv signal. and you can further interface with the module by putting your hand or maybe different electronic devices near the dirt box to cause some electromagnetic noise onto the signal. And it has the in/outs that bypass the box of dirt, I believe you could simply patch cables in/out and hold the ends in different hands and inject yourself onto the signal....or stick them on/into bananna's or other conductive materials, or into your own yard
experimentation is in order