Mutable Instruments Stages Segment Generator

Mutable Instruments Stages Segment Generator is described as a ‘modulation construction set’ – it can be used as an ASR envelope, complex 6-stage envelope, LFO, 4-step sequence or switched LFO.

We haven’t seen an official announcement for the Stages module yet, but it’s already listed at some retailers.

Here’s what they have to say about Stages:

Stages can be any kind of modulation – ramp from one voltage to another, hold a voltage at a set level, wait for a trigger and slew. With or without looping. Whether you need one complex envelope, or several simpler modulations, Stages reconfigures itself according to which of its gate inputs are patched.

There is always a role for it in your patch. THAT’S IT Really, there isn’t more to the story. Self-generating chiptunes? Very weird LFO shapes? Random gate delay? Stages probably does strange and wonderful things when patched in a certain way.

Flexible input/output layout The module detects the presence of jacks on its gate inputs to group its segments: whether it is configured as a complex 6-stage envelope, or 6 individual envelopes, or 3+3, 2+4… depends simply on how you patch it. Dummy patch cables might come handy! When used as a multi-segment envelope, a segment activation signal is produced on all secondary outputs – for example to trigger an external event when an ADSR envelope enters its decay, sustain or release stages.

In case more than 6 segments are required, up to six modules can be chained together thanks to a connector at the back of the module.

Three segment types:

Ramp segments go from one voltage to another, in a CV-controlled amount of time, with an adjustable curve (accelerating, uniform, decelerating). They are the building block used for the attack, decay or release segments in envelopes… or for LFOs.

Hold segments stay at a constant (but CV-controllable) voltage for a programmable amount of time. They serve as the sustain or hold segments in envelopes.

Step segments glide to a target (CV-controllable) voltage, then stay at this voltage for a certain amount of time until a trigger is received.

They are the main ingredient for step sequences, but also for building sequential switches or a sample-and-hold. Looping A segment, or a group of segments, can loop on itself: if the last segment of the envelope is included in the loop, the loop lasts forever.

Otherwise, the loop remains active while the gate is high, then continues past the last segment of the loop. These two behaviors allow the creation of self-looping envelopes (LFOs), or the sustain stage of a good old ADSR envelope! Single segment processing Even when they aren’t part of any group and don’t receive any gate or trigger signals, individual segments can perform interesting functions: Ramp can loop on itself and turn into an LFO, Hold can delay a CV and Step can slew it. Now patch a trigger signal: the self-looping Ramp turns into a tempo-synced LFO, the Hold segment becomes a pulse generator, the Step segment a sample-and-hold.

Specifications CV output: from 0V to +8V. A negative CV down to -8V can be generated by a Hold or Step segment if this segment is CV modulated. Segment duration from 1ms to 16s. All inputs: 100k impedance, DC to 2kHz. 31.25kHz refresh rate. 16-bit CV capture, 14-bit CV generation with accurate software calibration. Error below 2mV

Details on Stages are avaialble at the MI site.

11 thoughts on “Mutable Instruments Stages Segment Generator

  1. Mmmm that was not a very responsible thing to do.

    If there’s no communication and (no site update) from Mutable Instruments, it simply means that the module is not released yet and that a retailer (by malice or incompetence) leaked information that was not meant to be made public.

    1. Olivier

      Thanks for your feedback.

      We do our best to maintain professional and constructive relationships with gear manufacturers. So we do not cover new products, unless the information is already publicly available, and we try to always link to a source for the information. And if a company asks us to embargo a news announcement, we do so.

      Our responsibility and interest, though, is to publish news and information that’s useful to electronic musicians. If you want to control or constrain how news of your products gets out, that is your responsibility.

      With that in mind, if you want to control how information on your products gets out in the future, here are a few suggestions:

      Don’t blame the messenger. If your business partner publishes information you don’t want published, through ‘malice or incompetence’ as you suggest, reconsider your relationship with that partner.

      Understand that most Eurorack companies do not make official product announcements. And many companies (big and small) introduce products without updating their websites with product information. Because of this, music gear news sites will cover new products when the information is publicly available, from any legitimate source.

      If you want news sites to delay covering product announcements to a specific date, contact them and embargo your press information. Legitimate sites will honor embargo requests, so that they will not be excluded from future announcements.

      Finally, if you have suggestions on how Synthtopia can more effectively balance the interests of readers against the interests of manufacturers, let us know.

      James

    2. Indeed!
      Regrettable that this was handled this way by many sources.

      And yet, now that it IS officially released, we can say: “What an incredible module!”

      Thank you Olivier!

  2. wow… but since the module is shown on the mutable-instruments website it is kind of official, isn´t it?

    I mean that´s not a leak-picture from some video or so…or did i miss something?

    1. The module was not live on the Mutable Instruments website when this post was published, the information about the module release originates from a dealer that listed the module on their site before the release date. I have been sharing module information with dealers this week to better split the initial batch of modules among them.

      I have added the module on the site and officially announced it following this.

  3. In any case all new MI modules looks pretty complex and intetesting to play. We need less photo leaks and more sc/yt/insta demos with good samples how it sounds.

    Not to defend module store, but their market platforms are pretty buggy. Items can appear without even notification for a store admin or they scheduled some new modules and forgot about it because of lack of notification.

  4. I for one would have never heard of Mutable Instruments or have any interest in Eurorack modules if it were not for Synthtopia and few other news sites.

    1. Getting on Synthtopia has to amp up a small company’s business, but Mutable has also been doing amazing stuff for years.

      They started with some of the best DIY synths ever made. They got out of that when Olivier figured out he could make a lot more money as a small operation if he didn’t have to do all the diy support.

      MI probably has the best line of Euro modules available now..

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