Mutable Instruments — Branches
Branches Dual Bernoulli Gate – Official Manual PDF
Creative Modulation Strategies for Mutable Instruments Branches
As a Eurorack musician focused on percussive, bass-heavy, and atmospheric sound design, Mutable Instruments Branches offers a unique utility for injecting controlled randomness and dynamic switch-based motion into your patch. Here are some ways to leverage its features for maximum creative impact:
Overview of Modulation Options
Branches is a dual Bernoulli gate—it takes a trigger/gate signal and probabilistically routes it to one of two outputs. Key features for modulation:
- Probability knob (and CV input): Sets/randomizes the odds of where each trigger lands.
- Toggle Mode: Remembers previous state, sending triggers in toggling sequence.
- Latch Mode: Output stays at +5V until another output is triggered.
Applications
1. Distorted Percussive Sounds
- Patch model: Branches splits/distracts rhythm sources (kick/snare triggers, Euclidean patterns, more).
- How to modulate:
- CV Modulate the probability input with fast LFOs, random S&H voltages, envelopes from your percussion voices for instantaneously shifting rhythms.
- Use Toggle or Latch mode to create varied, choking, or gated triggers for drum modules, making grooves unpredictable and heavily syncopated.
- Feed Branches output(s) to a distortion or wavefolder after a drum module – rapid, random switching creates ‘glitchy’, tearing percussive effects.
Example Patch:
- Kick trigger to Branches IN.
- Set probability to 50%.
- CV in from an envelope or random module.
- Outputs to two different percussion modules or one drum sound and a noise source.
- Run final audio to a distortion unit for harsh, broken-up percussion.
2. Crazy Basslines (Dubstep/Drum & Bass)
- Patch model: Use Branches to randomly or periodically switch between bassline patterns, wavetables, filter modulations, or envelopes.
- How to modulate:
- Use a popcorn LFO or rhythmic random CV to the probability CV input to switch between classic reese bass and growl patches, or dual filter/folder chains.
- In toggle mode, use a repeating gate/clock so the bassline alternates between two different modulation destinations (such as two synced complex oscillators or filter cutoff voltages).
- Trigger re-triggers, sample holds, or envelope re-firings for weird syncopated movement.
Example Patch:
- Sequencer triggers to Branches IN.
- Outputs control two different bass voices (i.e., clean and dirty).
- Random or clocked CV to probability input.
- Modulate ‘which bass’ with envelope followers from your main drum hits.
3. Haunting Atmospheric Pads
- Patch model: Branches provides semi-random gates to activate/dampen modulations or send CV to effects, filters, or VCA chains for pads.
- How to modulate:
- Use very slow LFO or gentle, attenuated random voltage on probability CV in: produces shifting, unpredictable movement between outputs.
- In Latch mode, create sustained, droning gate states that change only with new triggers—drives slow fade-ins/outs on reverb, delay, or granular parameters.
- Gate pads’ modulations between two reverbs or FX sends, randomly accenting different portions of the stereo field or wet/dry amount.
Example Patch:
- Slow clock or enveloped pad gate to Branches IN.
- Outputs to two VCA/FX send paths: one dry, one through intense reverb/lush chorus.
- CV input from slow LFO.
- Latch mode ON: one reverb washes in, another fades out, pads morph unpredictably for organic/ghostly ambience.
Tips for Further Exploration
- Stack multiple Branches modules to create multi-layered decision trees for incredibly complex, probabilistic patches.
- Volatile Performances: Use manual toggle/latch switching in live performance to warp between order and chaos.
- Non-audio signals: Branches is not just for gates—use to steer modulation sources (clock, random, LFO triggers) for maximum surprise.
Useful Links