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Braids user manual
Note: this user manual documents the version 1.5 of the firmware. If another version is
installed, please upgrade! You can find out which version is installed by clicking on the
encoder and scrolling to the end of the menu.
Overview
Mutable Instruments' Braids is a voltage-controlled digital sound source. It features 33
waveform synthesis models, which cover techniques such as FM, wavetable synthesis,
waveguide synthesis or analog emulation. Most synthesis models are built with one or
several oscillators connected through crossfaders, modulators, filters, or delay lines. Each
synthesis model is controlled by 2 parameters, called Timbre and Color.
Installation
Mutable Instruments' Braids is designed for Eurorack synthesizer systems and occupies 16
HP of space. It requires a -12V / +12V / +5V supply (2×8 connector), consuming 15mA from
the -12V / +12V rails and 85mA from the +5V 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
G: Color. This knob controls a second dimension of sound, for example the symmetry of an
oscillator or the modulation frequency for a FM model.
A: LED display and rotary encoder. When the module
starts, the LED display shows the name of the active
synthesis model, and the encoder can be used to select a
model. Click the encoder to display a list of additional
settings and options. Click the encoder to select an option
and modify its value. Once the value has been modified to
your liking, click the encoder to get back to the list of
options. Selecting the first option ("WAVE"), saves to
memory the current setup and brings you back in model
selection mode.
B, C: Fine and coarse frequency control.
D: Frequency modulation attenuverter. This knob controls
the amount and polarity of modulation applied to frequency,
from the FM CV input jack.
E: Timbre. This parameter controls the main evolution and
motion of the timbre – for example pulse width for a square
oscillator or modulation index for a FM model.
F: Modulation attenuverter. This knob controls the amount
and polarity of modulation applied to the TIMBRE
parameter, from the TIMBRE CV input jack.
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Summary of Contents for Mutable Instruments Braids
- Page 1 Overview Mutable Instruments’ Braids is a voltage-controlled digital sound source. It features 33 waveform synthesis models, which cover techniques such as FM, wavetable synthesis, waveguide synthesis or analog emulation. Most synthesis models are built with one or several oscillators connected through crossfaders, modulators, filters, or delay lines.
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Page 2: Inputs And Outputs
Inputs and outputs TRIG: This trigger input serves three purposes. 1/ Braids’ physical models need to be “excited” by an impulse on this input to give birth to a sound. 2/ The other models will treat the trigger as a reset signal, bringing the phase of the oscillator(s) to 0. 3/ This input can also be used to trigger an internal AD envelope applied to the TIMBRE parameter, to create sound animation and attacks without an external envelope module. - Page 3 _|_|_|_|_ 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.
- Page 4 VOWL, VFOF Both models synthesize vowel sounds. VOWL is a faithful recreation of early computer speech synthesis programs. VFOF uses a simplified version of Rodet’s FOF synthesis technique. Both have the same control layout: TIMBRE controls the vowel, morphing between a, e, i, o, u. COLOR shifts the formants in frequency. Main oscillator frequency and COLOR can be used altogether to simulate age and gender transformations.
- Page 5 WLIN WLIN allows one dimensional scanning through the entirety of Braids’ wavetables. TIMBRE moves through the waves, while COLOR selects the interpolation method. When COLOR is at 7 o’clock, no interpolation is applied. When COLOR is at 10 o ‘clock, interpolation is applied between samples, but not between waves.
- Page 6 Options BITS selects the bit-depth of the data sent to DAC. RATE selects the refresh rate of the DAC. Note that a handful of models are internally rendered at 48kHz (instead of 96kHz); so the difference between 48kHz and 96kHz might be inexistent for the most complex models.
- Page 7 BRIG adjusts the screen brightness. Calibration Braids uses digital processing to scale its input control voltages. To calibrate the unit, disconnect any signal from the FM input, and connect the note CV output of a well-calibrated keyboard interface or MIDI-CV converter to the V/OCT input. Move the “Coarse” and “Fine”...
- Page 8 (equalizer, FX processor) is inserted in the signal chain. Hackers and modders will be happy to know that Braids can also be reprogrammed with a USB->serial adapter and stm32loader.py, and that the board has a mini-JTAG connector.
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