Rubato Audio Plaits Palette is a new free browser tool that lets you build your own custom Mutable Instruments Plaits firmware
The Mutable Instruments Plaits is one of the most successful modules and oscillators ever released. If you include the clones, I’m almost certain it is. One advantage of using an original module or a good clone is the compatibility of alternative algorithms.
Behringer also offers its own non-open-source ones for the Brains module. With Plaits Palette, Rubato Audio offers a free tool that allows users to personalize their macro oscillator.
Rubato Audio Plaits Palette
The original Plaits module shipped with two banks of algorithms to get you started. These included virtual analog, waveshaping, 2-OP FM, modal resonator, and others.
Shortly before the end of Mutable Instruments’ activity, Emilie Gillet released an excellent third bank of algorithms, featuring phase distortion synthesis, two 6-OP DX-7-style synth voices, wave terrain, and more. A highlight at the end.
With an open-source module, “end” doesn’t necessarily mean the definitive end. In 2024, a developer, Lylepmills,
Rubato Audio’s new free AI-coded platform Plaits Palette allows you to move algorithms around like blocks. This allows you to customize your Mutable Instruments Plaits or compatible clone like never before.
This includes rearranging algorithms or even mixing algorithms from different banks. It’s also easy to dive into the built-in presets of the DX-7 algorithms. There is even a sysex bank import function. The speech synthesis is also customizable right in the editor.
Additionally, you can customize the chord tables in detail, load your own, and adjust other settings of the module like the AUX output, level input, and more. All visual, no coding required.
There are also interesting experimental new features, including linear through-zero FM or fast FM support on various models.
But that’s not all. It also simplifies the way you can distribute your own oscillator models with others. There is a function with which you can submit new ones.
First Impression
A fantastic tool that opens up the Plaits a lot. The algorithms, which have been available for a long time, even before the alternatives, already cover a huge spectrum of possible sounds. From classic to experimental, everything is included.
This simplified customization option makes the module even more colorful, and the range of possibilities becomes even more vibrant and diverse. Perhaps too much for some, but it’s good that it’s now more available in a more visual and easy way.
Rubato Audio Plaits Palette is available now as a free tool in your favorite browser.
More information here: Rubato Audio
Wow! That’s really cool? And it works with Behringer’s clone also?! Very nice.
nope, Behringer’s clone is a proprietary one
“built an entirely new bank of algorithms with various new synthesis ideas: feedback, subharmonic, granular, and more.” are these open source as well?
yes
ah, yes there it is. https://github.com/lylepmills/eurorack nice!
Just a note, the dev used AI to code it.
https://llllllll.co/t/plaits-palette/75068
yes but helpful instead slop
Slop isn’t really why I mentioned it. I feel like consumers should at least know, even if it doesn’t matter to them.
fwiw, i think fidgety utlities like this are a good place to use AI. for me the gold is in the source code for the Rubato DSP models and porting of Braids modules into Plaits codebase. i can use it all elsewhere in my own synths.thanks Rubato!