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Stages bipolar multi-mode firmware v1.0.1
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@qiemem qiemem released this 14 Oct 18:12
· 136 commits to bipolar since this release
v1.0.1
fa9293b

This is an unofficial firmware for Mutable Instruments Stages. It was originally created by joeSeggiola and started as a modification to let you enter and exit the "Ouroboros" mode (the harmonic oscillator easter egg) at runtime, while the module is powered on. Then, it evolved adding the ability to sequence harmonic ratios, enable slower free-running LFOs and providing a completely alternative mode that transforms the module into six identical DAHDSR envelope generators.

This fork adds the following to segment generator mode:

  • Control over each segment's polarity, allowing for, for instance, bipolar LFOs; hold button and wiggle pot to toggle
  • Control over each LFO segments frequency range; hold button and move slider to top, middle, or bottom to select range
  • Control over ramp segments' re-trigger behavior; hold button and wiggle pot to toggle
  • Arbitrarily slow clocked LFOs and improved audio-rate clocked LFOs
  • Hold and step segment quantization; hold button and move slider to select scale; slider transposes within key, allowing selection of mode
  • Start and end value tracking for ramp segments, which can be used as a kind of VCA or crossfader

See segment generator mode's usage instructions for details. None of these features interfere with the normal workflow of Stages.

This fork also adds a new mode, advanced segment generator, which:

  • Adds a new random segment type, giving access to three different random/chaotic algorithms:
    • Uniform random CV
    • Emulation of Tom Whitwell's Turing Machine
    • Logistic map
  • Makes single, non-gated, non-looping ramp (green) segments slew with independent rise and fall: CV is value, pot is rise, and slider is fall; this can be used as ASR envelope or a envelope follower as well
  • Makes single, looping step (yellow) segments attenuate instead of slew

Finally, this fork allows you to control the frequency range of the harmonic oscillator mode (aka ouroboros mode; the Stages easter egg), giving access to 5 harmonically related LFOs.

See the cheatsheet for a list of all module controls, including built-in ones.

This fork includes the changes in official firmware 1.1 as well as the extended sequencer official firmware.

⚠️ Warning: This firmware has not been tested on multiple chained modules. It could behave strangely if chained. Obviously I'm not responsible for any issue you might encounter.

Download and installation

To update, download the WAV file below and follow standard firmware installation procedure.

IMPORTANT: Installation will clear the module settings if coming from a different firmware. Right after updating from an earlier version of this fork, the stock Stages firmware or joeSeggiola's version, Stages may continuously cycle between green, orange, and red LEDs. Turning the module off and on again should restore functionality. This happens because this fork expands the amount of data stored for each segment, so will be incompatible with the settings stored from a different firmware. If you encounter problems, please let me know, either in a GitHub issue or otherwise.

Changelog

  • v1.0.1

    • Merge in extended sequencer from latest official firmware!
    • Ensure that 16 steps is reachable with the pot in TM mode. See #10.
    • Add support for voltage below 0v and above 8v to alt. harmonic oscillator mode. Previously the given segment would just output a constant voltage.
    • Significantly improve performance enabling more simultaneous clocked LFOs. See #9. Work in progress.

  • v1.0.0

    • Add harmonic oscillator frequency range control. Suggested by MW user thetechnobear.
    • Add optional quantization to step and hold segments. Suggested by @jb0000. See #1.
    • Make single looping step segments attenuate (removes T&H). Suggested by MW users Carrousel and SavageMessiah.
    • Make single ngnl ramp segments slew with independent rise and fall. Implementation suggested by @jb0000. See #4.
    • Improve clocked LFO audio rate and reset behavior
    • Improve audio rate cap
    • Make ramp segments track start value
    • Lock pot/slider values when holding button and then be gradually restored. Suggested by @jb0000. See #6.
    • Add cheat sheets to README. Having a quick reference suggested by MW user baleen.
    • Expand range of fast and slow clocked LFOs for with musically useful values (1/16 and 1/32 for slow; 12 and 16 for fast).
    • Fix random segments crashing the module when switching to normal segment generator mode
    • Fix Stages' LFO range messing up harmonic oscillator control.

  • v1.0.0-beta4

    • Add advanced mode with random segments (uniform random, Turing Machine, and logistic map) and T&H (T&H moved from segment generator mode)
    • Change polarity/re-trigger control to toggle so that you can change polarity/re-trigger behavior without affecting shape/time. Suggested by MW user jube.
    • Fix an issue where LFO range selection LED brightness would override Ouroboros LED brightness. Reported by MW user gelabs.
    • Fix an issue where segments set to bipolar step or hold in normal mode would could contribute negative CV in other modes

  • v1.0.0-beta3

  • v1.0.0-beta2

    • New hold-button-move-pot control scheme
    • Add LFO frequency range control
    • Allow for arbitrarily slow clocked LFOs
    • Add track & hold support
    • Signify bipolarity with dim red blink 1/sec
    • Revert slow LFO mode to joeSeggiola's original (works with LFO frequency range selection)

  • v1.0.0-beta

    • Add bipolar mode for each segment type
    • Add re-trigger control for ramps
    • Change slow LFO mode to expand slider range
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