Price $259.00
Mutable Instruments – Plaits
PLAITS FEATURES
8 Pitched Synthesis Models
- Two virtual analog models for continuously-variable waveforms
- Triangle-core oscillator with variable slope routed through a waveshaper and wavefolder
- FM with variable feedback path
- 2 separate formants and a variable shape window modulator for VOSIM style filter sweeps
- Additive oscillator (24-harmonic)
- Wavetable oscillator (8×8 waves arranged across 4 banks)
- Chord generator (wavetables or string/organ emulation)
- Speech algorithms (formant, SAM, LPC), with banks of phonemes
8 Noise and Percussion Synthesis Models
- Granular sawtooth or sine oscillator (each with variable gain density and frequency randomization)
- Clocked noise routed through a resonant filter
- 8 layer dust/particle noise routed through either resonant or all-pass filters
- Karplus-Strong (“Red Mode” in Rings) with either white noise or dust excitation
- Modal resonator (“Green Mode” in Rings) with mallet or dust excitation
- Analog kick emulator
- Analog snare emulator
- Analog hi-hat emulator
I/O and Control
- 2 selection buttons with tactile LED visual display
- Primary frequency controls (8 octave range)
- Harmonics timbre and morph timbre dimensions
- Attenuverters for frequency, morph, amd timbre CV inputs
- Primary 1V/Oct input with -3V to +7V input range
- Trigger input for internal decay envelope or drum exciter
- Level CV input for internal LPG or accent control for drum models
Following on from the extraordinary success of the Braids oscillator, the main intention of Plaits was to make it easier to get at sounds, while still offering a huge diversity of choice. So much so, you’ll find it packed full of eight synthesis models for pitched sounds, with a further eight models for noise and percussion, which makes it one heck of a power-house for a 12hp module. I have been fascinated by this oscillator ever since Andrew Huang Showcased it in an “intro to modular synthesis” video on youtube.
You’ll find everything from subtractive style waveforms through to speech synthesis algorithms, so it really does cover the whole gamut, while also offering a few classic drums sounds to boot. At the price, it’s a very tough act to beat, and is lovingly crafted with the usual Mutable build quality by Olivier Gillet, who is the extraordinary mind behind the company.