Xenakios has released Atelier Palette, a free VCV rack expansion based on the Mutable Instruments Plaits module.
If you have even a passing interest in modular, you’ll have likely heard about Mutable Instruments. Whether it’s their Tidal modulator, Clouds texture synthesizer, Rings resonator, or indeed Plaits – their game-changing Macro-oscillator – Mutable Instruments have quickly become one of the biggest names in modular history.
See also: Free Synthesizer VST PluginsAnd if you do have an interest in modular, you’ll most likely have heard about VCV Rack, the open-source, completely free modular environment.
One of the best things about Mutable Instruments is that every single design they produce is open source. Thanks to this fact, there have been numerous clones and emulations of Mutable Instruments products, including VCV Rack’s own sim called Macro Oscillator 2 (released under “Audible Instruments”).
So, what is the Plaits module, and how is this new emulation different?
Plaits is, in essence, an all-in-one collection of different oscillators and synthesis methods. It features subtractive, waveshaping, FM, formant, additive, wavetable, and granular synthesis! And that’s not all. It even has a set of kick, snare, and hi-hat emulations and a range of different resonators for synthesizing percussion. Plaits is a swiss army knife of sounds – if you want it, Plaits likely has it, or at least something close.
What makes the brand-new Palette module by Xenakios (under the Atelier series) stand out is that it’s a fork of the original Plaits source code, aiming to augment and advance what the original module was capable of, instead of being a 1:1 emulation.
First off, while the original is monophonic, the Palette module for VCV rack is polyphonic. Its sephiroth-like front panel changes depending on what synthesis engine you’ve chosen and allows for much easier access to most of the original unit’s features. It also has internal envelope modulations and attenuverters for all CV parameters, which are even visualized on the knobs. The list goes on.
Xenakios’ Atelier Palette is available from the VCV Rack Library after registration.
More info: Atelier Palette (available as a module from the VCV Rack library, 64-bit VST3/AU plugin format for Windows, macOS, Linux)
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Last Updated on July 24, 2020 by Tomislav Zlatic.
