A deep dive into Mutable Instruments Plaits - PART 2!

[@cooksoni.a]

So I think the "addition, multiplication, synchronization of sine segments" in the formant oscillator is describing three oscillators. The first one is a sine, and its phase is being multiplied by the second sine wave oscillator. When the harmonics knob is at noon, the first sine and the second sine are at the same frequency, so on a scope you just see one big sine (in an amplitude window). Above noon, the second sine is a higher freq, and below a lower. Those two sines create 2 main peaks in the frequency spectrum, and when you change their frequencies, the movement of the peaks across the spectrum gives you the formant-y vowel sounds. Then, both of those sine wave's phases are synced to the third oscillator. You don't hear the third oscillator, it just provides the frequency. Then the output of both of the sine waves are windowed at the frequency dictated by the third oscillator, which gives you little packets of the two sine waves. The shape of the window is dictated by the morph knob, which causes the window to variably taper in and out. It's like using an oscillator to modulate a vca at audio rate, and the waveform of the oscillator dictates the shape of how the vca opens and closes. So that inaudible third oscillator is what provides the overall frequency of the synth engine, dictated by the frequency knob. It "overrides" the frequencies of the two sine wave oscillators, and provides an amplitude window for both of them and resetting their phases to make it a coherent tone. You can simulate that windowing thing in a eurorack patch by syncing a sine wave oscillator to another oscillator, and then sending the synced sine wave into a vca. Then, from the second "master" oscillator, use the saw wave or the triangle wave to modulate the vca, and the listen to the output. When you change the frequency of the synced oscillator, it gives you some resonant tones, but the characteristic "sync" sound isn't there because the phase discontinuities are tapered out by the master oscillator closing the vca at the right time every cycle. This gives you a smooth, resonant filter-type magical sound.

[@leparfum3794]

You've got the most musically interesting demo's out here

[@TheUnperson]

Thank you! Much appreciated ☺️

[@Probbie]

Wow; I've owned Plaits for years and used it very frequently but not discovered half the things you've shown here. Thanks mate!! 🙌

[@TheUnperson]

Me too! Lol I’ve been really rediscovering the module during this video series ☺️

[@electrummodularmusic]

Great stuff, as usual! The plaits exploration is excellent, but one of my favorite things about this channel is the way you play the keystep, playing interesting chord progressions, inversions, extensions etc. Those arps on the formant track are epic!

[@TheUnperson]

Thank you! I keep thinking I need to learn some new scales but happy to hear you’re enjoying it ☺️

[@clonecrow217]

If you are prepared to persevere, the subtleties of Plaits will eventually reveal themselves. Don't think I have ever left it off a track.

[@TheUnperson]

Yes exactly! It can be easy to glance over all the nuance and possibilities

[@jeejeeBlaps]

The jam during the harmonic oscillator section is so good.

[@joethompson5619]

Again another cool video!! Thank you so much!

[@TheUnperson]

Glad you’re enjoying it! This is actually one of my favourite videos that I’ve made musically ☺️

[@joethompson5619]

@@TheUnperson I will have to watch part 3 as well, keep up the great sounds please, from one scotsman tae anither 🤓

[@StephenCurtis81]

Really appreciate the balance of instructions versus live demo. Really helpful.

[@Steve81M]

Damn, man! Loving this little series! What you're getting out of this module makes me feel like I never owned it, haha!

[@TheUnperson]

Haha! I’m glad to hear it lol

[@Asyouwere]

I am completely mesmerized… Besides the educational value of your videos, your music is out of this world beautiful and inspirational.

[@TheUnperson]

Thank you! i do try to make my videos as musical as possible - glad you're enjoying it!

[@Asyouwere]

@@TheUnperson I am loving it, happy holidays!

[@prentissriddle]

Thanks for this! Plaits is so wide and so deep.

[@TheUnperson]

Thank you! It really is! :)

[@PascalMourier]

Gorgeous ! Can't wait for part 3 ;) Cheers !

[@J_Carter]

Learning so much from this Plaits series...and also just enjoying the hell out of your composing. Hope some of these lush, haunting melodies find their way onto your next album.

[@TheUnperson]

I think this vid has some of my fav jams on it so will definitely be revisiting these :)

[@chromosundrift]

That full wet reverb was indeed epic!

[@mymodularjourney]

So good. I’ve been thinking about getting a plaits forever. Your previous made me finally pull the trigger on it. Couldn’t wait any longer as they will be out of stock soon everywhere.

[@angebruneel]

I bought a 2nd one when they announced the discontinuation of MI modules. 😁

[@TheUnperson]

Oh nice! Yea I saw Rings is going for luck 400 bucks now 😮 I hope you’re enjoying Plaits!

[@mymodularjourney]

@@TheUnperson I already had braids and a beads. So a some of the algorithms overlap. But the way of accessing it makes all the difference.

[@Jin-Hu]

Love this series man, thank you

[@TheUnperson]

Cheers man ~ glad to hear it!!

[@effiksmusic]

Oooooh, these arpeggios ❤❤❤

[@QuimFont]

excelente explicación y con música super agradable. Gracias

[@TheUnperson]

Gracias ☺️

[@locavoremusic3680]

This is sooo good!

[@gunark]

Well now I want an FX aid.

[@TheUnperson]

Haha! It’s worth it for the black hole reverb algorithm alone ☺️

[@planetplex]

Wow amazing!!!

[@TheUnperson]

Cheers dude!

[@rayderrich]

If you keep demo-ing so extensively this series will take 100 parts (and I will watch 'em all).

[@TheUnperson]

Haha! There’s a plaits playlist on my channel ~ think there’s 12 videos in total :D

[@rayderrich]

I just streamed testing the Plaits as well, that thing is a capable module for sure.

[@AnonymousPuddle]

Fantastic video. The issue I've had with Plaits is that it seems to default to higher octaves, so getting to that lower grit is something I've struggled with.

[@TheUnperson]

That’s odd! What controller/sequencer are you using? Do you have the frequency knob all the way left, and the fm attenuverter in the centre? There will be a way to recalibrate the pitch too. If you check the online manual I’m sure you can calibrate it by inputing pitch info. Pick lower notes and it will default to the lower octaves :)

[@tlow4209]

If I remember correctly, holding down the right button and moving the harmonics knob will change octaves

[@nique21nue]

Sometimes (like here at about 5:10) your arpeggios remind me of Waveshaper. You know that Synthwave-Artist? One of the greats imho

[@TheUnperson]

I’m not familiar with Waveshaper ~ gonna check it out! :D

[@kaielbers2961]

THanks, great video! You always find the sweet spots. I tried to reproduce the sound at 12:59 but failed. I guess I need a beads or FX Aid for that :)

[@TheUnperson]

It should be possible to get close as beads and fx aid are doing minimal stuff at that point.. have modulation into the morph might be an important part of the patch

[@Bartolucci711]

Hey there! Love your videos a ton and they've inspired me to get into Eurorack. Plaits and the Five12 vector sequencer is where I'm going to start. One question about your setup here: during the first minute Harmonic Oscillator section of the vid, what is creating all of those fast little trills/ratchets (those moments where we get a lot of fast repeats)? Is that Beads or the Data Bender? Cheers!

[@TheUnperson]

Hey thanks! That sounds like a lot of fun to start with. I think there is a bit of both beads and data bender at that section. Later in that section when I break the patch down I bring them in individually so it might be easier to discern which is which at that point :)

[@Bartolucci711]

@@TheUnperson Thanks so much dude! I’ll go back and listen to that section.

[@dr.feelicks2051]

Beads-The “Jasonizer”🙀✌️

[@brianbrill]

That was delicious.

[@AlienFm1]

Dare I ask what Units are you running in that case? Awesome

[@TheUnperson]

Sure! From left to right: Power supply, Pam’s, Maths, Plaits, Dual Dagger, Beads, Data Bender, Doepfer Mult, FX Aid.

[@ambientzoneofficial]

Love it! Plaits in FULL effect 👍🏻Noticed the Behringer PSU, specific reason?

[@TheUnperson]

Thank you! I got the case 2nd hand and there developed a problem with the power supply. Cre8 audio are sending out a replacement when they’re back in stock ☺️

[@ambientzoneofficial]

@@TheUnperson 😉what a funny coincidence, my case has power board issue, can't use it, waiting for replacement as well.

[@blacksand.]

yeah ! 100% wet reverb ! bye bye burp noises ! :p what comes after is really beautiful man !

[@TheUnperson]

Hahah cheers man! I really enjoyed that bit too ☺️

[@gremoov7703]

😮❤❤❤

[@davidpinto1195]

It would have been nice to hear it dry without effects, thanks for the demo