Loom 1 (ft. Plaits) | All Mutable Instruments Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Download Loom 1 EP exclusively on Patreon → / lightbath
Everything you hear in this video was performed live with the Mutable Instruments modules you see on screen, plus some other Mutable surprises to be revealed in upcoming Loom videos.
✶ THANK YOU ✶
• Mutable Instruments for sponsoring this video: mutable-instruments.net
• MDR Modular for the ergonomic KOROLEV-104 case + stand with Motovilo power: mdr-modular.ru
• Hosa for the colorful + superbly designed cables + accessories: hosatech.com
✶ GEAR ✶
Hosa cables → lightbath.zone/hosa
Lightbath Mall → lightbath.zone/mall
Audio + Video gear → lightbath.zone/video-kit
Eurorack case + stand → mdr-modular.ru
Some of the above may contain affiliate links which earn me a small commission. If you'd like a way to support me at no extra cost, please use the links.
✶ ZONES ✶
Website → lightbath.com
Emails → bit.ly/lightbathemails
Instagram → / __lightbath
Twitter → / lightbath
Soundcloud → / lightbath
Spotify → spoti.fi/2X0GjtM
Bandcamp → lightbath.bandcamp.com
Join the Club Lightbath community on Discord, plus get patch notes and lessons through my Creative Mentorship program → / lightbath
#eurorack #ambient #synthesizer

[@davidknight754]

Ant Energy ❤️ : If the ant has crossed your path then this may be an indication that you are hardworking, good at team work, working to help the community, or that you are patient and take the time needed to achieve your goals. Being tireless workers and hunters, ant teaches us the trait of perseverance and patience in ALL they/we do.

[@Lightbath]

Yesssss! The ant medicine is strong in this place. I’ve been working tirelessly for weeks. Thank you, David!

[@TROGULAR10000]

nah, it's just an indication that there are ants in houses, looking for food and maybe warmth or a place to hang.

[@Lightbath]

I tend to go with the multidimensional explanation of reality that includes both explanations.

[@slothperson78]

Lightbath sounds like.. it was a double ANTendre lol

[@KentBuchla]

Wishful thinking is for children, the immature and childish minds. The real world is already steeped in wonder.

[@rbeny]

that ant was totally stoked to see the new mutable modules

[@xTheOxx]

The "chords" setting on Plaits is just pure pleasure.

[@davecole0]

Awesome as usual! And nice teases in there, can't wait to see what's to the right.

[@HousePlant_Ambient]

Just absolutely love Mutable Instrument, Thank you for this

[@discolizardpatchesnstuff4142]

You're always inspiring. Keep doing what you're doing, and thanks

[@ThaDrones]

Wow... nice roundup ! Thanks !

[@grakkam]

Absolutely wonderful!

[@girlinagale]

I'm still in love with your stuff. It's Saturday Eve and I've been making beautiful music today and oh crumbs, Plaits has me fascinated.

[@ludotex]

Lovely as usual. Cannot wait to see what's the new modulation/sequencer I am hoping is next...

[@nizer7147]

This didn't feel like a tutorial but I learned a lot about Plaits here. I ordered it right away and have been enjoying it ever since. I love the format of this video here and it was easy to listen to while also giving great information. Thank you!!!

[@Lightbath]

Thanks. It’s helpful to hear as I explore.

[@dhmacdonald8605]

Sounds really nice, Bryan-thanks! I love the Link/Zelda ending.

[@EagleEyedTiger]

Incredible sounds. MI's modules are quality, and this all-MI rack makes me thirsty. Looking forward to seeing/hearing what's off-screen!

[@TROGULAR10000]

really awesome textures, whatever the modules. getting your album on Patreon.

[@juliaseppi2205]

Can't imagine why anyone would dislike the video, great job...

[@Genshi]

Beautifully done! Plaits is definitely my new favorite module. Used it for the main part of my latest piece.

[@Kyle-wb7wx]

Im happy to see this. I'm not sure if I wanted to do with Plaits or Clouds. I picked up Rings and just fell in love!

[@Genshi]

Right now, my trio of Plaits, Rings and Clouds are dominating my last few pieces of music. Just such a perfect combination.

[@orangewiggler6838]

Wow, thanks Lightbath! ✌️ Art with a capital A!

[@perfectparameter1579]

Beautiful Intro out of that rack❤ Great sounds buddy👍🔥

[@BoBeats]

Lovely!

[@Lightbath]

Bob! (Joking). Thank you, Bo.

[@nicolasgv1620]

that's sooo dope

[@jeitoots]

Great video with best use of supporting ant.

[@RheyneMusic]

Nice to hear the chord voicing was your contribution. I was really happy with the way they were arranged when I first gave Plaits a spin.

[@Lightbath]

Rheyne thank you ~ my favorite is the switch from m11 to 69. The way the upper voices move chromatically down to flip the chord from major to minor. So jazz.

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Amazing sounds and demo. Dreamy...

[@Lightbath]

Thanks. I see you prefer the American pronunciation. Since Mutable is a French company, I decided to honor the native version.

[@Vadlife]

i love this

[@BrunoWiebelt]

very inspire music in this snowish easter

[@MONSIEURLANCEDRAKE]

Shining bright

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Wonderful! I want to do this one day as well as an all Intellijel system as both companies make superb musical instruments.

[@christoroppolo8742]

Great sounding landscapes and slow design. Like many have said in music the real test is to creat something slow that counts. This illustrates that idea perfectly. Less is much much more....Peace 🎶👏🏻👽🐕✌🏻🕺🛸🔦👍🏻🙏Christo

[@2mbst1]

Plaits is by far my favourite VCO right now - but tbh I haven't tried many :D The chord voicings and their arrangement sound super awesome and I was like "whoa" when I first tried them. I'd love to see more Warps action. Feels a bit like the odd one out in my current setup but I haven't put a lot of effort towards it so far.

[@ifaber68]

Great!

[@ComparativeIrrelevance]

Oh man, you've got MI secrets!? I'm super jealous! This sounds lovely, by the way.

[@Zvark]

I'm guessing Marbles!

[@ComparativeIrrelevance]

Betcha we'll see Stages in the other end too.

[@PinkBoardProducts]

Congrants

[@GangiFilms]

you rock

[@daydreamjohnny]

ConrgrAnt!

[@humansrants1694]

I really like the look of the mutable Modules, I'm considering a eurorack I'll need another converter first though I'm out of sockets. I've been testing Mutable Clouds in Softube Modular really strange and fun beast.

[@utubebroadcastme]

hah interesting! I was trying to figure out what should go into my first system and I thought maybe I'll do and All Mutable Instruments system then I found this channel ...

[@utubebroadcastme]

I was trying some of these on VCV ... yeah pretty sure my bank account is gonna suffer badly

[@raftingrafting8437]

ripples sounds soo good. i love to use it in conjunction with rings. or on one of it's outputs to get more out of it.

[@Lightbath]

I love to filter Rings. It's mandatory in my performance case, but I didn't do it as much in this case simply because there's only one Ripples. But yeah, I'm so happy to finally have this filter. The lowpass sort of has that SH-101 thing going for it and the VCA/Gain CV is handy.

[@raftingrafting8437]

yeah! BP is great too. especially with rings or 0-coast because of their built in brightness/additive. you can get the harmonics to interact in some really interesting ways i'd never experienced on synths before now.

[@co2mic604]

yeess....i thought it was on my screen!

[@humansrants1694]

Whoa could it be the first mutable ant as stated in the prophecy? He started the space race for all ants when the earth ran out of ale and pasta he just kept on climbing and changed ants from digging down to building up and onto flying machines. We found more pasta and ale in the worm hole to the big ones kitchen.

[@Lightbath]

Humans R Ants hahahahaha!

[@Unifono2012]

nice

[@halberkstresser]

thanks for this - Plaits was my first module I bought last week. Getting Ripples, still debating if Rings/Clouds is for me - Thanks for this - sounds LUSH

[@Lightbath]

Rings neeeeds a filter, imo :)

[@Lightbath]

I want to amend that. Rings sounds best to me through a filter. It's Plaits that really shines with a filter.

[@burakeren]

Cool!!!. Also i guess we will be getting a function generator next?

[@Sklang32]

Oh sure, I start a make noise skiff and mutable goes and does this....Thanks.

[@Sklang32]

Ok, I was thinking this, my dpo with a optimix and a woggle and rosie then plaits then a blank....Boom!

[@tomb-X]

Cool

[@HousePlant_Ambient]

Really am considering Warps as a combo for Plaits

[@Lightbath]

FWIW, in this video I’m doing the most boring thing with Warps. I’m using it as a crossfader for Plaits two outputs 🥱

[@fibranijevidra]

That is really nice. It would be nice to see described patching progression. I'm sure all modular synth guys knows what exactly are you saying, but I would appreciate in depth explanation. Thanks for the nice video.

[@Lightbath]

Have you seen ‘The Joy of Patching’?

[@fibranijevidra]

@@Lightbath No, I have just stumbled across you chanell. I'll give it a go. Thanks.

[@nodflenders3665]

I had a similar idea but I'm too poor : ( Great work as always dude

[@nodflenders3665]

Also I totally thought that ant was on my screen!

[@NorfolkTraveller]

You've been so good at answering questions, and I have another one! I notice Softube has Mutable instrucment add ons. Do you have any experience of whether they are any good? In terms of coming close to the actual hardware?

[@Lightbath]

I have no experience with software versions of Mutable modules but would suspect that the software versions of digital modules would be indistinguishable from the hardware since the digital modules are just ‘software’ running on hardware.

[@NorfolkTraveller]

Lightbath Thank you :)

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Gee I wish Mutable Instruments would package all their best modules into a pre-assembled system like what Make Noise and Erica Synths have done. Same for Intellijel.

[@SonicWarfareSF]

Sounds lovely. What are you sequencing/quantizing with?

[@Lightbath]

🤐

[@peterhomfeldt7287]

I had a couple of lovebirds that became crazy when they heard any electronic noise.So what,isn’t it impossible that an ant reacts the Same way? Or perhaps she is using the patchcable to reach another level...?

[@prgrms]

Hi Bryan, how did you find the MDR case in the end? Did you receive it powered or unpowered? Considering one as a first case. Thanks again for your work, highly inspiring :)

[@Lightbath]

I received it powered and I like it. Have had no issues with it or the Motovillo power. In fact, MDR is building my next case that is a compact 84hp 6U that I’m bringing to Europe for a run of events this spring. There will be videos following my process of designing and building and implementing this new system.

[@prgrms]

Lightbath that’s great! I’ve been considering a 66hp 6u since he does custom sizes now :) thanks for the review. Also the videos inspired me to mainly start with MI modules. Anyway, VCV for now till I start to understand everything more. Keep up the great work

[@KristerNielsen]

This sounds fantastic. Is it generally Plaits as the oscillator? Also, what LFO or sequencer is used for the more rhythmic sounds?

[@Lightbath]

Yes, Plaits and Rings are the sound makers and Marbles is sequencing.

[@ciderfeks]

Nice Ambi-ant music.... 😋

[@ciderfeks]

You should really consider changing your name to Adam now - purely so that you could form the worlds first post-punk-new-wave-pirate-pop-chill-out band Adam and the Ambiants. It would probably be rude not to. 🤩

[@happylittlesynth]

Bryan, in these loom videos, are the modules sequenced by any midi, or is it strictly being generated via the modulation between each module and its oscillators, etc?

[@Lightbath]

No MIDI. All pitch sequencing is done by Marbles and modulation sequencing is sometimes Stages.

[@aldraias1]

Yea! The ant!

[@antfactor]

I approve of the ant-tastic nature of this video. 🐜

[@richarquis]

Hello! I started my first rack last week. I'm going all MI for my foundation. I started with Marbles, Links, Blinds, Stages, and Frames. Next month, I add Rings, Plaits, Warps, and Streams. Beads will come in May. Then I will hibernate as I pay it all off. Maybe around August/September, I can start thinking about other brands, but until then... An all MI foundation is a fine thing, and have time to explore it. I have one question - Do you do patch notes, ala Comparative Irrelevance? I am new to this, and patch notes are a huge help for me right now. If you don't, no problem - Thank you for the videos, I can still learn from them, and I can just damn well figure it out for myself!

[@Lightbath]

Very cool that you’re starting off into the modular zone. Yes, I’ve been keeping patch notes for 90% of my pieces since 2015 and the archive is part of my Patreon perks. Though, I’m not familiar with Comparative Irrelevance so I don’t know how they format their notes. My format has changed a bit over the years but I can attest to the fact that keeping my own patch notes and forcing myself to write it all down each time really helped me develop in the beginning.

[@urzathehappy72]

4:20 chord mode is beautful

[@Lightbath]

Nice timing

[@gherat]

Got ants in the pants and I need to dance!

[@YomYestreen]

Came for Lightbath Plaits demo. Stayed for Everest Ant.

[@Lightbath]

Everest Ant. That’s going on my potential song titles list.

[@piotr803]

3:10 ANT!!!!

[@shinedrummer]

Hello! What do you use for the output? a mixer? I'm contemplating building something similar (or something exactly the same ;) ) as the Loom 1. I currently have a scarlett interface, will it do to just cable from the modular to the interface and use the headphone jack for monitoring? Great video, and great music

[@shinedrummer]

Also, is Marbles used in this video?

[@Lightbath]

Straight from the modular to the interface.

[@Lightbath]

Marbles, Stages, and Plaits are used in all three Loom videos.

[@shinedrummer]

Thanks for the info! So happy i discovered your channel!

[@lossteeth]

🎈

[@lookingforamuse]

Interested to see the other MI devices in the rack. I've used semi-modular (Phenol, MS20 etc) and work a lot with Reaktor, Tassman, ACE and Aalto but this is the closest I have heard a Eurorack rig sounding in the kind of ballpark I'd like. It would sit rather well tonally with my other hardware. I have pondered an entire MI modular as a concept for some time but its great to hear one in action.

[@blueberry2a]

Hello I love your video, very very inspiring. I have a question CLOUDS is no longer produce :-( So I need your opinion which module can you I use in remplacement ?

[@Lightbath]

Thanks. I suggest any of the clones except for those by Grayscale as the company isn’t ‘playing nicely with others’ in terms of open source practices and generosity. Pro tip: Look for versions that have separate knobs/sliders for mix and reverb.

[@blueberry2a]

@@Lightbath someone suggest me morpahegene from make noise but really expansive one anyway thks a lot for your response

[@Lightbath]

MG is very different from Clouds. Both great, just apples and oranges. And great news that Grayscale just fully open sourced their code as a response to Mutable’s recent Twitter thread (!) so I can now 100% their Microcell module as the best Clouds clone with extra features. I use it and now fully endorse it.

[@blueberry2a]

@@Lightbath Nice to Know thks a lot. I am very new in the modular world. I play a lot with semi modular moog M32 DFAM and subharmonicon. I always dreamed to play one day on my own systeme. I make recently the decision to build one by looking your very inspiring videos. So thks again. As I say i always got the holly moog trinity and think every day how to integrate it in my future system.

[@Lightbath]

👨🏻 👦🏻 👻

[@VOLTRsoundandvision]

Could you please tell me what kind of case is this? I'd like to have such feet to angle my Endorphin.es Shuttle System. Thank you for your answer (and please pardon my bad English, I'm French).

[@Lightbath]

It’s made by MDR. Link in the description.

[@BrunoPereira-sd2wy]

What other modules do you have on the rack? Or is it just the ones we can see?

[@Lightbath]

This was made while Marbles and Stages were as of yet unreleased, so they're hiding on the right side. I have full patch notes over on Patreon if you're ever interested in joining the community there and looking through the archive.

[@guyewhite]

How did you do this epic sound at 6:43?

[@Lightbath]

I love that you’re revisiting this three years later. Also you’re the only synth enthusiast to have seen that studio in person. Okay, so the sound. It’s pretty straightforward. See if you can follow the cables. Plaits outputs mixed by Warps (I think this one is crossfaded all the way to the left input, though) and into Shades mixer, Rings into Ripples into Shades mixer, those two sources into Clouds and the third channel of Shades is being used to attenuate some modulation, I think. And then it’s just a matter of finding the sweet spots.

[@guyewhite]

@@Lightbath There's definitely a revisiting going on. Thank you so much for taking the time for me as a member of your Patreon and letting me get lessons direct from you! Seeing that studio was an amazing thing. I often reflect on that time with great thanks to the maths of the universe for putting us in the same little sphere for a short time. A gift! Thank you for the continued work. When you come out with your next big thing, sign me up as a preorder please! :)

[@Lightbath]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@HousePlant_Ambient]

I know you mentioned of having a private Marbles video in your Patreon, which I am planning on sub. However, do you happen to have one for Plaits?

[@Lightbath]

Hey, thanks. I don't have a Plaits-specific video in there since it's a pretty straightforward module and nobody has asked for a walkthrough as they did with Marbles. Though, Patreon gets you access to my Patch Notes Archive and that includes lots of patches that use Plaits.

[@DJNAVENDU]

Not sure if anyone noticed the number of details you put into this video like having lord Ganesha and Saraswati :)

[@Lightbath]

🌟

[@hiroshiebina9703]

Ant!

[@riktich]

That's beautiful, how do you sequence Plaits and rings?

[@terryyaki7782]

Between 2m48s and 2m55s you can see the corner of a possibly new module.

[@terryyaki7782]

I don't think it's a Tides it's not the same faceplate mutable-instruments.net/modules/tides/

[@analogfridays]

It's a secret.

[@InterplainMusic]

How could i Emulate the Ripples Module with VCV Plugin Please, Or do you know when its going to be ported over. Great Sounds

[@Lightbath]

Hmm. I don't think it can be ported because it's an analog module. I don't use VCV rack, but my understanding is that that platform includes the open source digital Mutable modules because they're essentially just code. But really, I'd point you in the direction of an 18db Low Pass filter that emulates the filter in the SH-101.

[@InterplainMusic]

@@Lightbath Thanks for that, i understand. I am trying to patch up what you have in the VCV but cant see all the cables connections. be interesting to see if i can replicate something in the way you have. I really like your sounds very much.

[@Lightbath]

Ah, right. Most of my pieces have patch notes on Patreon that go over those details, but I didn’t take patch notes for the early Loom pieces. Basically, what’s on the right is Marbles sending matched t1 and x1 outputs to Plaits and then t3 and x3 outputs to Rings. The t output often goes first to an AD envelope in Stages when the Level input on Plaits is used. That’s the main idea of the ‘sequencing’ and most of the rest can be seen on screen. Have fun.

[@Lightbath]

Oh and another important concept is that I’m sending the same envelope that goes to Plaits level control to the FM input on Ripples and then often inverting it a tiny bit so that it opens up as the amplitude envelope closes.

[@InterplainMusic]

@@Lightbath Thank for the info very much appreciated.

[@csselement]

Soo... what's in the rack? I see Plaits, Warps, Ripples, Rings, Shades, Clouds... and then we don't see the rest for the entire video (nor stated in the description). maybe you mentioned in the audio but if so, I must have missed it.

[@Lightbath]

This video was made before Marbles and Stages were released.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Is the sound coming out of this synth mono or stereo? Thanks.

[@Lightbath]

Stereo. Clouds is the last module in the chain (after the mixer) and it has a stereo reverb, plus I have the grains set to pan as wide as it goes.

[@urzathehappy72]

How much would that all cost?

[@NorfolkTraveller]

I don't understand any of it... but it's so beautiful... how much would it cost for this setup? I haven't the talent, space or money but after watching this video none of that matters! :)

[@Lightbath]

Thank you! There's a ModularGrid link in the description that will take you to a site that tallies up the cost of modules, then add to it the cost of the MDR case (again using the link in the description. Cheers ~

[@NorfolkTraveller]

Thank you :)

[@NorfolkTraveller]

That's such a cool feature you've added... real nice

[@quasarsphere]

You need to bring that ant back for future videos.

[@Lightbath]

Ha. I’ll do my best.

[@quasarsphere]

@@Lightbath Excellent. But it has to be that specific ant. Any other ant just wouldn't be the same, you know? This ant has a certain special something. Why are you reading this when you should be on the phone to its agent??

[@Lightbath]

😹

[@tomoyauesaka4604]

what patch cable do you use in this video?

[@Lightbath]

check the description for the link under GEAR ;)

[@Rhapsodyinnoise]

Hmmmmm it looks like there is a hidden message at 4:10 :D

[@interference7480]

At this point in the video i had a flashback of F-Zero on SNES when you start a race.

[@Lightbath]

Yes!!!!!! I used to play that game a lot! Wow good call.

[@chriskostelec]

Please give proper credit to co-performer, ant. ... Looms 1 (ft. Plaits, Ant) ;)

[@jacksonb6262]

how near in the future???

[@Lightbath]

That depends largely on how many hours I choose to sleep.

[@sekaiology]

When is the marbles coming to europe?

[@Lightbath]

Well, it was born in Paris...

[@sekaiology]

Can only pre order so far... I want it now haha

[@kevincowart362]

I find it difficult to pay attention because all I can think about is wanting the camera to pan right so I can see the full rack.

[@Lightbath]

😆

[@Lightbath]

I really wanted to be able to show everything, too but had to honor the secrecy of the unreleased modules 😏

[@MUNRO13]

Anyone know what case / stand that is?

[@Lightbath]

MUNRO music it’s an MDR case - there’s a link in the description

[@humansrants1694]

Wish they still made clouds.

[@Lightbath]

Clouds is still available through the DIY community in full-sized and micro 8hp versions. Totally work getting a micro one, in my opinion. Michigan Synth Works is a great choice if you need someone to build one for you. But really, the new Clouds will likely be released by Mutable Instruments later this year, so that's something to REALLY look forward to :)

[@humansrants1694]

@@Lightbath Thanks :)

[@Lightbath]

You bet. And FWIW there’s a new DIY Clouds called Monsoon that adds some really nice functionality in just 12hp. It would be my Clouds of choice if I hadn’t already bought one of the 8hp versions.

[@duckwrth2472]

Are you using anything else than just this rack???

[@Lightbath]

Nope

[@tuckerm48]

Not gonna lie I thought the ant was on my computer screen

[@Lightbath]

😆

[@dropshadow1932]

HP of the case and the full module list? Thanks.

[@Lightbath]

Links in the description... though the patch notes (with that module list) are part of my Patreon offering. Basically it’s what you see plus Stages and Marbles.

[@dropshadow1932]

@@Lightbath Thanks a bunch.

[@rebeccapedro1958]

what kind of rack is that?

[@Lightbath]

the case? look for the link to MDR in the description

[@rebeccapedro1958]

@@Lightbath - thanks for getting back! i saw that after the fact. much appreciated!

[@JohnnyCogs]

Was the secret Stages?

[@Lightbath]

Johnny Cogs oh, ha. Yeah. This was released before Marbles and Stages, so yes. Those are the unseen modules.

[@joevittali-ross1871]

Press C to congratulate Ant

[@oskarlindberg4869]

Better than braids?

[@Lightbath]

I actually never owned a Braids. But I think the answer is YES!

[@captainuniversalart3796]

@@Lightbath what about dreadlocks.... I mean dreadbox (I'm sorry. Had to do it) great music, always an inspiration.

[@fosferus]

LINK!?!

[@Lightbath]

Ha. Yeah, when I made that sound I was like, 'wow, this sounds so much like the OG Zelda game'.

[@fosferus]

Lightbath great video as well, been avoiding plaits demos to keep away the gas, but it was nice hearing you talk about it. Definitely checking out your ep. Rings sounds great on that last segment

[@winstonbicklebert1989]

What did you use here for the effects?

[@Lightbath]

Clouds ☁️

[@lesjamusic]

I want to know what happened to the ant.

[@Lightbath]

So do I… so do I 🐜

[@dillpickle2131]

CLOUDZ wAz HerE

[@AliasJimWirth]

Nice stuff, but I am finding hard to hear your comments over the music. A volume issue I think. Not all the time, but a lot. Maybe just me.

[@Lightbath]

Thanks for the feedback. If you get the chance to specify which times it happens, let me know. I'm guessing you mean some of those spots like 1:20 where I say quietly 'let's just listen'.

[@AliasJimWirth]

.55, 1:14, 1:55. Around these areas. It's not that bad, I guess, but if I were to turn up the volume to hear you better the music would be way too loud. Thanks for caring.

[@Lightbath]

Thanks for going through this to specify the spots. Most are where I’m speaking quietly and not really enunciating clearly. But yeah I mixed this on monitors that weren’t my own so it could be that. Nevertheless, I’ll be more cognizant moving forward. Glad you’re enjoying it, though. Thanks for listening.

[@DarkuJ]

Well there goes my money.

[@Lightbath]

Ha!