mutable-instruments/frames
Frames
Four-channel voltage-controlled mixer/animator under digital control: the FRAME knob (with CV) scans through up to 20 stored keyframes — snapshots of the four channel gains — and interpolates between them, turning Frames into a macro VCA-bank and a complex modulation source.920
Capabilities 2
- Keyframer / Animatorkeyframer-animator
- Stores up to 20 keyframes each capturing the four channel gains; interpolates between keyframes as the FRAME knob or CV input is swept, with per-channel easing curve selection.920
- Voltage Controlled Mixervoltage-controlled-mixer
- Implements a four-channel VCA bank using the V2164 IC with 12-bit digital gain control; channels sum to a global MIX output with -6dB gain when individual outputs are unpatched.920
Jacks 12 (6 in / 6 out)
| Name | Signal | Voltage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inputs (6) | |||
| ALL | mixed | — | Global input normalled to all channel inputs that have no jack plugged in; also normalled to an internal +5V or +10V reference when the +10V OFFSET switch is active.920 |
| FRAME CV | cv | — | CV input that moves the animation position through keyframes; in sequencer mode, pulses on this input step through frames.920 |
| Input 1 | mixed | — | 920 |
| Input 2 | mixed | — | 920 |
| Input 3 | mixed | — | 920 |
| Input 4 | mixed | — | 920 |
| Outputs (6) | |||
| FR.STEP | trigger | ≤5V | Outputs a 1ms +5V trigger pulse each time the animation position crosses a keyframe boundary.920 |
| MIX | mixed | — | Global sum output collecting signals from all channel outputs that have no individual jack patched; has a -6dB gain reduction.920 |
| Output 1 | mixed | — | 920 |
| Output 2 | mixed | — | 920 |
| Output 3 | mixed | — | 920 |
| Output 4 | mixed | — | 920 |
Parameters 10
| Name | Type | Range | Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| +10V OFFSET | switch | — | When engaged, injects a constant +10V (or +5V, depending on the reference voltage jumper) into the ALL input so that unpatched channel inputs become controllable CV sources.920 |
| ADD | button | — | Creates a keyframe at the current FRAME position; hold 1 second to edit interpolation curves; hold 5 seconds to save the current configuration to non-volatile memory.920 |
| Channel 1 Gain | knob | — | Sets the VCA gain for channel 1 at the current keyframe position; has no effect when the FRAME knob is not at a keyframe (the gain is then interpolated).920 |
| Channel 2 Gain | knob | — | Sets the VCA gain for channel 2 at the current keyframe position; has no effect when the FRAME knob is not at a keyframe.920 |
| Channel 3 Gain | knob | — | Sets the VCA gain for channel 3 at the current keyframe position; has no effect when the FRAME knob is not at a keyframe.920 |
| Channel 4 Gain | knob | — | Sets the VCA gain for channel 4 at the current keyframe position; has no effect when the FRAME knob is not at a keyframe.920 |
| DEL | button | — | Removes the keyframe at the current FRAME position if one exists; hold 1 second to edit per-channel response curves; hold 5 seconds to clear all keyframes and reset to initial state.920 |
| FRAME | knob | — | Moves the animation position from the beginning (fully CCW) to the end (fully CW), interpolating between stored keyframes and illuminating with the color of the nearest keyframe or a blend thereof.920 |
| MODULATION | knob | — | Attenuverter that scales and inverts the FRAME CV input signal; controls both depth and direction of the CV-driven animation. Must be set to maximum for sequencer mode.920 |
| Reference Voltage Jumper | jumper | — | Rear-panel jumper that selects whether the precision voltage reference (normalled to ALL when +10V OFFSET is active) outputs 0–+5V or 0–+10V.920 |
Firmware history 0 versions
No firmware history recorded.
References 2
- [920]
-
[921]
Mutable Instruments Frames product pageproduct_page● verified 2026-05-24