Mutable Instruments Yarns User Manual

1/19/2018 Mutable Instruments | Yarns
https://mutable-instruments.net/modules/yarns/manual/ 1/10
Yarns
User manual
OVERVIEW
Yarns is a MIDI to CV interface. Thanks to its flexible architecture, it can manage up to 4 voices of polyphony
or up to 4 individual channels. Yarns embeds an arpeggiator, a note sequencer, and an euclidean pattern
generator.
INSTALLATION
Yarns is designed for Eurorack synthesizer systems and occupies 12 HP of space. It requires a -12V / +12V
supply (2x5 connector), consuming 2mA from the -12V rail and 60mA from the +12V rail. The red stripe of the
ribbon cable must be oriented on the same side as the “Red stripe” marking on the printed circuit board.
CONTROLS
At the right of Yarns’ display is an encoder which is used to increment/decrement values and scroll through
options. The typical way of modifying Yarns’ settings is to scroll through the list of settings, click the encoder
to select one of them, then rotate the encoder to increment/decrement the value of setting, and click again
once you are done. Yarns’ display is small, so settings names are abbreviated into 2 letters code (VR =
“Vibrato range”). To ease navigation, the unabbreviated form of each setting or value scrolls on the display
after a few seconds of inactivity.
Below the display are 3 buttons, whose primary functions are to control the sequencer:
REC starts and ends step-by-step recording.
START/STOP starts and stops the sequencer.

Mutable Instruments Yarns Specifications

General

Category	Media Converter
Width	10HP
Depth	25mm
CV Output Range	0V to +8V
MIDI to CV/Gate	Yes
Polyphony	4 voices
Clock Output	Yes
Clock Division	Yes
Arpeggiator	Yes
Sequencer	Yes
USB MIDI	Yes
DIN MIDI	Yes
Outputs	4x CV, 4x Gate
Gate Output Voltage	+5V

Summary

Installation

Controls

Encoder and Button Functions

Explains the function of the encoder and three buttons for controlling the sequencer and recording.

Sequencer Button Functions

Details the functions of REC, START/STOP, and TAP buttons for sequencer recording and playback.

Architecture: Voices, Parts, and Layouts

Available Layouts

Lists and describes various layouts like Monophonic (1M), Duophonic (2P), Quadraphonic (4P), and Trigger modes (4T).

CV/Gate Output Mapping

Single and Dual Voice Layout Mappings

Details CV/Gate assignments for single-voice (1M, 2>) and dual-voice (2M, 2P, 4>) layouts.

Quad Voice and Quad Trigger Mappings

Explains CV/Gate assignments for quad-voice (4M, 4P, 8>) and quad-trigger (4T) layouts, including routing details.

Layout and MIDI Options

Layout (LA(YOUT)) and Part (PA(RT)) Settings

Describes settings for selecting module layout and active parts for multi-timbral configurations.

MIDI Channel (CH(ANNEL)) and Note (NO(TE)) Settings

Explains MIDI reception channel and note settings, including omni mode and 4T specific note triggers.

Output MIDI Mode (>>)

Configures MIDI output routing for events, THRU, or arpeggiator/sequencer data.

Voice Allocation and Note Priority

Details voice allocation methods (POLY, CYCLIC, RANDOM, VELOCITY) and note priority (LOWEST, HIGHEST, LATEST).

CV, Gate, and Trigger Generation Parameters

Legato (LG) and Portamento (PO) Settings

Vibrato (VR, VS) and Trigger Duration (T-)

Trigger Scaling (T*) and Waveshape (T/|)

Auxiliary CV Output (CV)

Tuning Systems

Transpose (TT) and Fine Tuning (TF)

Tuning System (TS) and Tuning Root (TR)

Clock and Tempo

Internal and External Clock Sources

Swing (SW) and Input Clock Divider (I/)

Clock and Bar/Reset Outputs

Clock/Bar Output Configuration

Arpeggiator / Euclidean Generator

Clock Division (C/) and Gate Length (G-)

Arpeggiator Range (AR) and Direction (AD)

Arpeggiator/Euclidean Pattern (AP/RP)

Euclidean Pattern Settings (E-, EF, ER)

Latch and Keyboard-Free Operation

Latch Mode Operation

One-Note Arpeggios and Held Notes

Sequencer

Sequencer Step Content

Recording Sequences

Steps for recording sequences using the REC button, MIDI keyboard, TIE/REST buttons, and re-recording.

Slides and Re-recording

Playback and Transposition

On-the-Fly Editing

Arpeggiator vs. Sequencer Conflict

Saving, Recalling, and Backing Up Programs

Program Management Menu

Saving and Initializing Settings

SysEx Dump and Calibration

Quick Setup

Initiating Quick Setup

Quick Setup Scenarios

Calibration Procedure

Entering Calibration Menu

Calibrating CV Outputs

Steps for calibrating CV outputs using a multimeter to adjust voltages to target values.

Firmware Update Procedure

Initiating Firmware Update

How to power on Yarns with the encoder pressed to wait for SysEx data transfer.

SysEx Data Transfer and Errors

Details on sending SysEx data, packet handling, error indication (Er), and recommended tools.