mutable-instruments/braids

Braids

Mutable Instruments

Capabilities 7

2-Operator FM Synthesisfm-synthesis
Realized by the FM, FBFM (feedback FM), and WTFM (wavetable FM) models — 2-operator FM voices with model-specific feedback topologies.552
Additive Synthesisadditive-synthesis
Realized by the HARM model (additive harmonics).552
Drum Synthesizerdrum-synth
Realized by KICK (TR-808 bass drum), SNAR (TR-808 snare), CYMB (TR-808 cymbal), and DRUM (additive metallic drum) models.552
Macro Oscillatormacro-oscillator
45 synthesis models covering FM, wavetable, waveguide, analog emulation, physical modeling, additive, and drum synthesis, all controlled via Timbre and Color parameters.552
Physical Modelingphysical-modeling
Realized by specific models — PLUK (Karplus-Strong plucked string), BOWD (bowed string), BLOW (blown reed), FLUTE (flute embouchure). Other model families (waveforms, FM, wavetable, spectral, drums) are not physical modeling.552
Voltage-Controlled Oscillatorvco
552
Wavetable Oscillatorwavetable-oscillator
Realized by the WTBL / WMAP / WLIN / WTx4 model family.552

Jacks 6 (5 in / 1 out)

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (5)
COLORcv0V to 5VCV input for the Color parameter, offset by the knob position. 0V = minimum, +5V = maximum.552
FMcv—Frequency modulation CV input scaled by FM attenuverter. When META mode is enabled, this input selects the synthesis model instead.552
TIMBREcv0V to 5VCV input for the Timbre parameter, offset by the knob position. 0V = minimum, +5V = maximum.552
TRIGgate—Multi-purpose trigger/gate input: excites physical models, resets oscillator phase on other models, and/or fires the internal AD envelope.552
V/OCTcv—1V/octave pitch CV input for frequency control.552
Outputs (1)
OUTaudio—Single audio output. Loudness is model-dependent.552

Parameters 26

NameTypeRangeBehavior
|\ATTmenu_setting—Sets the attack time of the internal AD envelope generator.552
|\COLmenu_setting—Controls the amount of internal AD envelope modulation applied to Color.552
|\DECmenu_setting—Sets the decay time of the internal AD envelope generator.552
|\FMmenu_setting—Controls the amount of internal AD envelope modulation applied to FM.552
|\TIMmenu_setting—Controls the amount of internal AD envelope modulation applied to Timbre.552
|\VCAmenu_setting—Controls the amount of internal AD envelope modulation applied to output amplitude (VCA).552
BITSmenu_setting4bit – 16bitSelects the bit-depth of the data sent to the DAC.552
BRIGmenu_setting—552
COARSEknob—Coarse frequency tuning. Range depends on RANG setting: EXT (±4 octaves around V/OCT input), FREE (±4 octaves around C3), XTND (extended range, disables V/Oct scaling), or 440 Hz lock.552
COLORknob—Controls a second dimension of timbre; meaning is model-specific (e.g. oscillator symmetry, FM modulation frequency). CV input offset by knob position.552
Zones
comb
Negative Feedback
No Feedback
Positive Feedback
  • Negative Feedback -100–0%Negative feedback progressively applied as COLOR moves CCW from 12 o'clock to 7 o'clock.552
  • No Feedback 0–0%At 12 o'clock, no feedback is applied to the comb filter.552
  • Positive Feedback 0–100%Positive feedback increasingly applied as COLOR moves CW from 12 o'clock to 5 o'clock.552
wtx4
Unison Chorus
  • Unison Chorus -100–-100%All 4 voices play the same note with variable detuning, creating a thick chorus effect at 7 o'clock.552
wlin
Full Interpolation
Reduced Resolution Wave Interpolation
  • Full Interpolation 0–0%Interpolation always applied at 12 o'clock position.552
  • Reduced Resolution Wave Interpolation 0–100%Wave interpolation with progressively reduced playback resolution past 12 o'clock.552
DRFTmenu_setting—552
FINEknob—552
FLATmenu_setting—552
FM Attenuverterknob—552
METAmenu_setting—552
Model Encoderknob—Selects synthesis model when turned. Click to open settings/options menu. In META mode, FM CV controls model selection instead.552
OCTVmenu_setting—552
QNTZmenu_setting—552
RANGmenu_setting—Selects the frequency range of the COARSE knob: EXT (±4 oct around V/OCT), FREE (±4 oct around C3/261.5Hz), XTND (extended range, disables V/Oct accuracy), or 440 Hz lock.552
RATEmenu_setting4kHz – 96kHz552
ROOTmenu_setting—552
SIGNmenu_setting—552
TDLYmenu_setting—Delays trigger processing to allow CV/gate converters to settle before the physical model samples the pitch CV, preventing glitches at note onsets.552
TIMBREknob—Controls the main timbral evolution; meaning is model-specific (e.g. pulse width for square wave, modulation index for FM). CV input offset by knob position, 0V=min, +5V=max.552
TIMBRE Attenuverterknob—Controls the amount and polarity of modulation applied to the TIMBRE parameter from the TIMBRE CV input.552
TSRCmenu_setting—Selects trigger source: EXT uses the TRIG jack; AUTO also generates triggers from V/OCT pitch changes larger than a semitone.552

Firmware history 7 versions

VersionReleasedNotes
1.9—Unreleased development build. New sub-oscillator models were added after v1.8, but development halted without further changes.554
1.8—Rewrote band-limited waveform synthesis for analog waveform models (CS-80 saw, waveform morphing, sync square, triple saw/square). Expanded CSAW model range. Added HARM additive harmonics model. Improved Z?PF and VFOF quality. Reworked DRFT and SIGN settings with adjustable amounts. Replaced TDST with four individual AD envelope modulation destinations (FM, TIMBRE, COLOR, VCA) and exposed attack/decay controls. Added ~50 quantizer scales with ROOT note selection. Reversed output signal polarity.554
1.7—Added 808 kick and snare models. Added cymbal noise model. Added triple sine and triple triangle synthesis models.554
1.6—Fixed a rare glitch issue affecting sawtooth and square modes.554
1.5—Added TDST option to assign trigger input behavior (phase reset, AD timbre, AD amplitude, AD timbre+amplitude). Added visual feedback for META mode. CV-controlled model change in META mode is now relative to the encoder-selected model.554
1.4—Fixed system settings memory write bug. Added 440 Hz lock option to RANG menu. Improved WTBL/WMAP interpolation smoothness. Added WLIN (linear wavetable scan with interpolation morphing via COLOR) and WTx4 (4-voice wavetable with chord selection via COLOR) modes. Added two new 3-voice sawtooth and square anti-aliased synthesis modes. Added DRUM model (additive timpani-like variant of BELL). Reworked FOLD and FBFM models.554
1.3—Initial release.554

References 3

  1. [552]
    Braids Manual (full)manual
    source 552 canonical ↗ archived ↗
    ● verified 2026-05-19
  2. [553]
    Mutable Instruments Braids product pageproduct_page
    source 553 canonical ↗ archived ↗
    ● verified 2026-05-19
  3. [554]
    Braids Firmware changelogfirmware_notes
    source 554 canonical ↗ archived ↗
    ● verified 2026-05-19