Tides - Modulateur audio Mutable Instruments - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Eurorack module
Brand	Mutable Instruments
Model	Tides
Module Width	12 HP
Module Depth	~30 mm
Weight	~100 g
Power Consumption	-12V: 5mA, +12V: 55mA
Power Connector	2x5 pin 10-pin ribbon cable
Reverse Polarity Protection	Yes (red stripe orientation required)
Primary Function	Voltage-controlled AR/AD envelope generator or audio-rate oscillator with dynamic waveshaping
Modes	One-shot AD, looping, one-shot AR (selected via Mode button A)
Frequency Ranges	Very low (subsonic), low (LFO), audio (up to ~20kHz) via Range button B
PLL Mode	Phase-locked loop to synchronize frequency to external clock with division/multiplication
CV Inputs	Shape, Slope, Smoothness, V/Oct, FM (with attenuverter), Level (normalled to 8V), Freeze, Trigger/Gate, Clock
CV Outputs	Unipolar (0–8V), Bipolar (-5V to +5V), High Tide (end of attack), Low Tide (end of decay/release)
Calibration	Manual V/Oct calibration via Mode switch A with voltage source (C2=1V, C4=3V)
Waveshaping	Control: Shape (ascending/descending wave), Slope (ratio of attack to decay), Curve (2-pole low-pass filter or wavefolder)
Output Types	Bipolar output features two bumps: positive during attack, negative during release
Installation	Mount in Eurorack case with proper power connection, ensure red stripe alignment
Manual & Support	Online at mutable-instruments.net; forum at mutable-instruments.net/forum

Frequently Asked Questions - Tides Mutable Instruments

What is the main function of Tides?

Tides is a voltage-controlled tidal modulator that can function as an AR/AD envelope generator (looping or one-shot) or as an audio-rate oscillator with dynamic waveshaping. It features a unique bipolar output with attack and release bumps.

How do I calibrate the V/Oct tracking?

Hold the Mode switch (A) for one second until all LEDs are yellow. Apply 1V (C2) and press A to confirm (LEDs turn green). Then apply 3V (C4) and press A again. Calibration is complete.

How do I enter PLL mode?

Hold the Range button (B) for 1 second. Tides will lock to a signal on the CLOCK input, adjusting its frequency to match or a multiple/division set by the Frequency knob. Hold B again to exit.

What is the difference between the unipolar and bipolar outputs?

The unipolar output ranges from 0V to 8V. The bipolar output ranges from -5V to +5V and consists of two separate bumps: a positive one during attack and a negative one during release, providing different tonal and modulation characteristics.

Can Tides be used as a standalone VCO?

Yes, in audio range mode (red LED) it can act as a dynamic waveshaped VCO. Use the V/Oct input for pitch control and explore the unipolar/bipolar outputs for different timbres.

What power supply does Tides require?

Tides requires a standard Eurorack power supply with -12V and +12V rails. Power consumption is 5mA on -12V and 55mA on +12V. Connect via a 2x5 pin ribbon cable with the red stripe aligned as marked.

What are the controls on the front panel?

Controls: Mode (A) for AD/loop/AR, Range (B) for frequency range, Frequency knob, FM attenuverter (fine tune when unpatched), Shape, Slope, and Curve knob (counterclockwise: LP filter, clockwise: wavefolder).

How do I use the Freeze input?

Apply a gate signal to the FREEZE input to stop the envelope/oscillator waveform at its current level. This can be used to create sync-like effects or hold a voltage.

What are the logic outputs for?

The HIGH output goes high when the attack phase ends. The LOW output goes high when the decay/release phase ends. They can trigger other modules to chain envelopes or create complex sequences.

How do I get the manual or support?

The full manual is available at mutable-instruments.net/modules/tides/manual. For help and discussions, visit the forum at mutable-instruments.net/forum.

USER MANUAL Tides Mutable Instruments

About unipolar and bipolar outputs

The bipolar output is not a merely scaled and offset version of the unipolar output! It is made of two bumps, a positive one occurring during the attack, and a negative one occurring during the release.

Unipolar Bipolar

PLL mode

Hold the frequency range (B) button for 1s. Tides enters the PLL mode.

In PLL mode, a signal must be provided to the CLOCK input. Tides will adjust its output frequency to match the frequency of this signal or a multiple/division of it as set by the Frequency knob.

Hold the frequency range (B) button again to leave the PLL mode.

Tips and tricks:

• Tides works wonders as a master modulator for a classic analog VCO.
• When using Tides as an oscillator for bass sounds, try both the unipolar and bipolar outputs; and the medium and high ranges - they all sound different.
• Use the PLL mode to create just-intonation melodies on top of a drone sent to the CLOCK input.
• A different flavor of sync sounds can be obtained by patching a PWM or square source into the FREEZE input.
• Use the wavefolder on a low-frequency envelope to create bumps and bounces.
• Use the PLL mode, and trigger the CLOCK and TRIG inputs from a rhythmic sequencer.
• In typical Buchla fashion, the low/high tide outputs can be used to trigger another module to chain envelopes and create complex shapes.

Calibration

1. Connect a patch cable to the FM input. Leave the other end of the cable unplugged (this prevents the normalling to +/-1 semitone to be activated).
2. Connect a patch cable to the Level input. Leave the other end of the cable unplugged (this prevents the normalling to full amplitude to be activated).
3. Connect a MIDI>CV interface or precision voltage source to the V/Oct input.
4. Hold the Mode switch (A) for one second. All LEDs are lit in yellow.
5. Play a C2 note, or send a 1V voltage from your CV source.
6. Press the mode switch (A). All LEDs are lit in green.

7. Play a C4 note, or send a 3V voltage from your CV source.

8. Press the mode switch (A).

The module is now calibrated for accurate V/Oct operation!

Tidal modulator

About Tides

Tides is, depending on your point of view, a voltage-controlled (looping) AR/AD generator which can reach audio frequencies; or a dynamically waveshaped synth voice with the ability to go into subsonic territories.

Installation

Tides requires a -12V / +12V power supply (2x5 pins connector). The red stripe of the ribbon cable (-12V side) must be oriented on the same side as the "Red stripe" marking on the board.

The power consumption is as follows: -12V: 5mA ; +12V: 55mA.

Online manual and help

The manual can be found online at mutable-instruments.net/modules/tides/manual

For help and discussions, head to mutable-instruments.net/forum

Front panel

Controls

A. Mode selection. Goes back and forth between one-shot AD (green LED), looping (LED off), and one-shot AR (red LED) modes.

B. Range selection. Goes back and forth between very low (green LED), low (LED off), and audio (red LED) range.

C. Frequency/rate control.

D. Attenuverter for the FM input. When no signal is patched into the FM input, serves as a fine tuning control.

E. Waveshape of the ascending and descending segments.

F. Ratio between the duration of the ascending and descending segments.

G. Curve transformation. From 12 o'clock to 7 o'clock (counter-clockwise), applies a 2-pole low-pass filter. From 12 o'clock to 5 o'clock (clockwise), applies a wavefolder.

Inputs and Outputs

1. 1. 1. CV inputs for shape, slope, and smoothness controls.

2. Trigger/Gate input. On a rising edge, resets the waveform and starts the ascent. On a falling edge, and in AR mode, starts the descent.

3. Freeze input. A gate signal applied on this input can stop the envelope/oscillator and hold the signal.

4. V/Oct input. 1V/Oct frequency/rate control.

5. FM input, attenuated and inverted by the attenuverter (D).

6. Waveform amplitude CV - normalled to a constant 8V source.

7. Clock input for PLL or tap tempo operation.

8. 1. End of attack (high tide) and end of decay/release (low tide) logic outputs.
9. 1. Unipolar (0 to 8V) and bipolar (-5V to 5V) outputs.