Mutable Instruments Plaits User Manual

An asymmetric triangle processed by a waveshaper and a wavefolder. Sounds familiar? That’s the same
signal processing chain as in Tides, when it runs at audio rate!
HARMONICS: waveshaper waveform.
TIMBRE: wavefolder amount.
MORPH: waveform asymmetry.
AUX: variant employing another wavefolder curve, as available in Warps.
Two sine-wave oscillators modulating each other’s phase.
HARMONICS: frequency ratio.
TIMBRE: modulation index.
MORPH: feedback, in the form of operator 2 modulating its own phase (past 12 o’clock, rough!) or
operator 1’s phase (before 12 o’clock, chaotic!).
AUX: sub-oscillator.
Note: turn MORPH fully CCW to get the same range of sounds as Braids’ WTFM. Turn MORPH fully CW
to recreate the same sounds as Braids’ FBFM. A gentler palette equivalent to Braids’ FM is found with
MORPH at 12 o’clock.
Simulation of formants and filtered waveforms through the multiplication, addition and synchronization of
segments of sine waves.
HARMONICS: frequency ratio between formant 1 and 2.
TIMBRE: formant frequency.
MORPH: formant width and shape. This controls the shape of the window by which a sum of two
synchronized sine oscillators is multiplied.
AUX: simulation of filtered waveforms by windowed sine waves – a recreation of Braids’ models.
HARMONICS controls the filter type (peaking, LP, BP, HP), with smooth variation from one response to
another.
Mutable Instruments | Plaits
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Mutable Instruments Plaits Specifications

General

Polyphony	Monophonic
Synthesis Methods	FM, Granular, Wavetable, Noise
Outputs	Audio output
Dimensions	12HP
Gate Inputs	1x Trigger Input
Controls	Morph

Summary

INSTALLATION AND HARDWARE

Power Supply and Connection

Plaits requires a -12V/+12V power supply with specific ribbon cable orientation.

FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW

Control Layout Identification

Identifies front panel controls including buttons, knobs, and input/output jacks.

CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS

Model Selection and Tone Controls

Buttons and LEDs for model selection, and controls for spectral content, timbre, and harmonics.

Attenuverter Functionality

Attenuverters for CV inputs allowing modulation depth control and internal envelope fallback.

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

CV and Trigger Inputs

Inputs for model selection, parameter modulation, and triggering functions.

SETTINGS AND CONFIGURATION

LPG and Envelope Adjustments

Adjusting LPG response and envelope decay times via specific knob combinations.

Frequency Knob Range Adjustment

Hold button A and turn HARMONICS knob to set the FREQUENCY knob's octave range.

SYNTHESIS MODELS OVERVIEW

Pair of Classic Waveforms

Waveshaping Oscillator

Two Operator FM

Granular Formant Oscillator

Harmonic Oscillator

Wavetable Oscillator

Chords Synthesis

Vowel and Speech Synthesis

Granular Cloud

Filtered Noise

Particle Noise

Inharmonic String Modeling

Analog Drum Models

Drum Model Behavior Notes