Mutable Instruments Braids User Manual

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This digital synthesis algorithm generates a smooth sequence of waveforms, transitioning
from a sine wave to a Dirac comb, as controlled by TIMBRE. The intermediary steps are
reminiscent of a single formant. Two such waveshapes are blended together, with the
detuning amount controlled by COLOR.
/|/| x3, -_-_ x3
Three sawtooth (or square) oscillators which can be individually tuned. COLOR and TIMBRE
control the relative frequency of the second and third oscillator with respect to the main
oscillator. These two controls are quantized to “snap” on musical intervals like octaves or
fifths.
RING
Three sine wave oscillators are ring-modulated together, and colored by a waveshaper. The
main oscillator frequency controls the frequency of the first sine wave, and TIMBRE and
COLOR control the relative frequency of the second and third sine waves.
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This model simulates a swarm of 7 sawtooth waves. TIMBRE controls their detuning, and
COLOR applies a high-pass filter to the resulting sound.
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This model generates a sawtooth waveform, and sends it into a comb filter (tuned delay
line). The frequency of the delay line tracks the frequency of the sawtooth oscillator, with a
transposition controlled by the TIMBRE knob. COLOR selects the feedback amount and
polarity: at 12 o’clock, no feedback is applied. From 12 o’clock to 5 o’clock, positive feedback
is increasingly applied. From 12 o’clock to 7 o’clock, negative feedback is progressively
applied.
TOY*
This model traverses a space of timbres typical of (circuit-bent) electronic musical toys.
TIMBRE simulates an alteration of the toy’s clock rate, while COLOR creates glitches or
short-circuits on a converter or memory chip’s data lines.
ZLPF, ZPKF, ZBPF, ZHPF
This family of models directly synthesize in the time-domain the response of a low-pass,
peaking, band-pass or high-pass filter excited by classic analog waveforms. Rather than
synthesizing the waveform and filtering it (which is what a VA synthesizer would do), this
approach directly aims at building the filtered waveshape from scratch. This technique has
been used in the Casio CZ or the Roland D series, but is extended here to cover different
filter types and waveshapes. TIMBRE controls the cutoff frequency of the filter. COLOR
continuously modifies the waveshape, from saw to square to triangle.
VOSM
This model uses a combination of 3 oscillators arranged in a clever ring-modulation/hardsync
patch to emulate formant synthesis – a technique named VOSIM and described by Kaegi
and Tempelaars. COLOR and TIMBRE control the relative frequencies of the two formants.

Mutable Instruments Braids Specifications

General

Brand	Mutable Instruments
Model	Braids
Category	Music Equipment
Language	English

Summary

Overview and Installation

Braids Controls

LED Display and Rotary Encoder

Controls module display, selection of synthesis models, and access to settings.

Fine and Coarse Frequency Control

Knobs B and C adjust the primary pitch of the oscillator.

Frequency Modulation Attenuverter

Knob D controls the amount and polarity of FM CV input.

Timbre Parameter Control

Knob E adjusts the main evolution and motion of the timbre.

Timbre Modulation Attenuverter

Knob F controls the amount and polarity of TIMBRE CV input.

Color Parameter Control

Knob G controls a second dimension of sound, like symmetry or modulation frequency.

Inputs and Outputs

Trigger Input (TRIG)

Serves three purposes: sound excitation, oscillator reset, or internal AD envelope trigger.

1V/Oct Frequency CV Input

Controls the oscillator frequency with 1V/Oct standard.

Frequency Modulation CV Input (FM)

Input for frequency modulation, scaled by the FM attenuverter.

Timbre and Color CV Inputs

Control voltages for the Timbre and Color parameters.

Signal Output (OUT)

The main audio signal output.

Synthesis Models

CSAW Model

Inspired by Yamaha CS80 sawtooth wave with a fixed-width notch.

M/-/- Waveform Trajectory

Morphs from triangle to sawtooth to square to pulse waveforms.

-/-/- Dephasing Sawtooth

Blends dephased sawtooth with a PWM square wave.

SYNC Hardsync Patch

Synthesizes classic 2-oscillator hardsync patch with square waves.

FOLD Wavefolder

Uses sine and triangle oscillators sent into a wavefolder.

Sine to Dirac Comb

Generates a smooth waveform sequence from sine to Dirac comb.

Three Individually Tuned Oscillators

Three sawtooth or square oscillators with individually tuned frequencies.

RING Modulated Sine Waves

Three sine wave oscillators ring-modulated together.

Swarm of Sawtooth Waves

Simulates a swarm of 7 sawtooth waves with detuning.

Comb Filtered Sawtooth

Generates a sawtooth waveform into a comb filter (tuned delay line).

TOY* Electronic Toy Emulation

Traverses timbres typical of circuit-bent electronic musical toys.

Time-Domain Filter Synthesis

Synthesizes filter responses like low-pass, band-pass, directly in time-domain.

VOSM Formant Synthesis

Emulates formant synthesis using ring-modulation/hardsync patch.

VOWL and VFOF Vowel Sounds

Synthesizes vowel sounds, recreating early computer speech synthesis.

FM, FBFM, WTFM Phase Modulation

Three flavors of 2-operator phase-modulation synthesis.

BELL Additive Synthesis

Uses additive synthesis to recreate the tone of a bell.

DRUM Metallic Drum Emulation

Variant of BELL model for metallic drum sounds.

PLUK Raw Plucked String

Raw plucked string synthesis.

BOWD Bowed String Modeling

Bowed string modeling.

BLOW and FLUTE Instrument Models

Reed or flute instrument models.

WTBL Wavetable Synthesis

Classic implementation of wavetable synthesis.

WMAP 2D Wavetable Synthesis

Two-dimensional implementation of wavetable synthesis.

WLIN 1D Wavetable Scanning

One-dimensional scanning through wavetables.

WTx4 4-Voice Wavetable

A 4-voice variant of WLIN with different harmonic structures.

NOIS Filtered White Noise

Filters white noise with a state-variable filter.

TWNQ Twin Peaks Noise

Generates white noise processed with two band-pass filters.

CLKN Random Sample Generator

Generates random samples at a given rate.

CLOU and PRTC Granular Synthesis

Granular synthesis models using sine waves or decaying pings.

QPSK Digital Telecommunication Signals

Generates modulated signals used in digital telecommunication.

Module Options

BITS DAC Bit-Depth

Selects the bit-depth of the data sent to the DAC.

RATE DAC Refresh Rate

Selects the refresh rate of the DAC.

TSRC Trigger Source Selection

Selects the trigger source (external or automatic).

DLY Trigger Delay

Applies a delay between trigger reception and note strike.

TDST Trigger Input Action

Defines action upon trigger input: SYNC, TIMB, LEVL, or BOTH.

TENV Internal Envelope Shape

Selects a preset shape for the internal AD envelope.

META CV Model Selection

Allows synthesis model selection via FM CV input.

RANG Coarse Knob Range

Chooses the range for the coarse frequency knob.

OCTV Octave Transposition

Switch for octave transposition.

QNTZ V/Oct Signal Quantization

Quantifies the incoming V/Oct signal to semitones or quarter tones.

FLAT Frequency Detuning

Applies detuning in lower and higher frequencies.

DRFT VCO Imperfection Emulation

Recreates VCO imperfections from power supply and noise.

SIGN Glitches and Imperfections

Applies glitches/waveform imperfections to the output signal.

BRIG Screen Brightness

Adjusts the screen brightness.

Calibration and Utilities

Module Calibration Procedure

Procedure to scale input control voltages for accurate operation.

Toy Mode: ADC Visualisation

Visual representation of internal ADC readings for inputs.

Toy Mode: Text Editing

Allows editing of text strings using the encoder.

Firmware Update and Warranty

Firmware Update Procedure

Step-by-step guide for updating the module's firmware.

Product Warranty Information

Details Mutable Instruments' warranty terms and conditions.