Mutable Instruments - Stages

Stages is a special kind of function generator. The module can be used as a multi-stage envelope, a CV sequencer or a combination of an ADSR envelope and two LFOs. – Just to name a few possibilities. Stages contains six segments. Instead of switching between pre-made modes of operation, users are able to alter the behavior and division of the segments freely. Do you need a complex envelope, a CV four-step CV sequencer and an AD envelope or six LFOs right now? – With Stages, you have all of those in your modular system… and much more!

Stages offers six segments that can be combined as desired. Pushbuttons allow the selection of different operating modes. Each segment has a potentiometer and a fader for editing. The function varies depending on the selected mode. The same applies to the built-in CV inputs. Gate or trigger paths are used to control segments. The module automatically detects where a cable is plugged in. Accordingly, the segments are divided into groups and thus form an ADSR and an AD envelope, for example. (Four segments for ADSR and two segments for AD.) Resulting voltage curves are present at the first output of a group. The other taps only output the voltage of the corresponding segment. Stages generates voltages in the range 0 V to +8 V. If a segment is operated as LFO, unipolar results are generated. A trick can also be used to generate oscillations in the range from -8 V to +8 V: Simply modulate a hold or step segment (see Modes) with a second segment.

The operating modes of the segments at a glance:

• Ramp: Basic building block for envelope and LFO edges. The segment "moves" from one control voltage value to the next. The slider determines the time the module needs for this process. - For example, the length of the attack, decay or release phase or the LFO speed. Potentiometer and CV input determine either the waveform (increasing - linear - decreasing) or the target voltage. This depends on how the surrounding segments are configured. (An explanatory graphic can be found in the manual.)
• Step: Almost a sequencer step. By combining several segments you can create CV patterns. Triggers are used for switching on. Voltage values are determined by faders and CV inputs. A glide function can be adjusted using the potentiometers.
• Hold: Generates a fixed voltage to form hold or sustain phases of an envelope. The CV value is determined via fader and CV input. The potentiometer determines the time value.

In addition, there is a loop function that can be used to set one or more segments to a continuous loop. - Essential for loop envelopes and LFO use.

If a single segment is used as a resonant circuit in ramp mode, the resulting waveform can be deformed with the corresponding potentiometer from sawtooth to triangle, sine, trapezoid and rectangle.

Up to six Stages modules can be daisy-chained to form large modulation setups.