rings

Mutable Instruments Rings

Physical modelling resonator for bars, tubes, and strings

14 HP Eurorack module

Rings is a resonator module that transforms unpitched excitation signals into full-bodied pitched sounds using physical modelling techniques. It simulates vibrating structures such as bars, tubes, and strings through modal synthesis, sympathetic string resonance, and extended Karplus-Strong methods. With its polyphonic capability and three resonator types, it ranges from delicate plucked strings to inharmonic metallic bells and glassy tones.

Features

  • Three resonator types: modal synthesis, sympathetic strings, and modulated/inharmonic Karplus-Strong
  • Selectable polyphony: mono, duo, and quad with overlapping voice tails
  • Odd and even complementary audio outputs for stereo-like separation of partials
  • Internal excitation generator (pulse or noise burst) when IN is unpatched
  • Automatic strum detection from V/OCT note changes or IN transients when STRUM is unpatched
  • FREQUENCY CV input normalized to 1/12V for fine-tuning via attenuverter when unpatched
  • Attenuverters on all five CV inputs
  • V/Oct tracking with calibration procedure for accurate pitch tracking
  • Firmware update via audio input
  • Virtual notches on STRUCTURE knob at harmonically significant positions
  • Polyphonic strumming for chord-like textures with single CV source

Controls & Jacks (24)

  • Frequency CV— Additional CV input for frequency modulation with attenuverter control.
  • Harmonic Structure CV— CV input for modulating the harmonic structure parameter with attenuverter control.
  • Damping CV— CV input for modulating the damping parameter with attenuverter control.
  • In— Audio excitation input. Receives the signal that excites the resonator. If unpatched, the module synthesizes an internal excitation signal (
  • Brightness CV— CV input for modulating the brightness parameter with attenuverter control.
  • Excitation Position CV— CV input for modulating the excitation position parameter with attenuverter control.
  • Harmonic Structure— Controls the frequency ratio between partials: modal resonator structure (plate/bar/string), sympathetic string ratios (octaves/fifths), or
  • Damping— Controls the decay time of the sound, from less than 100ms to about 10 seconds.
  • Out— Main audio output of the resonator.
  • V/Oct— Pitch control input. Expects 1V/octave control voltage. Module detects note changes to trigger strumming if no dedicated strum input is patc
  • Aux— Auxiliary audio output providing an alternative or complementary signal.
  • Strum— Trigger input to initiate strumming. Freezes current voice and starts a new note on the next voice in polyphonic mode. Normalized to step de
  • Excitation Position— Controls the point on the string/surface where excitation is applied. Center position creates hollow sound by canceling even harmonics.
  • Coarse Frequency— Coarse frequency control adjusted by semitone increments, spanning 5 octaves.
  • Brightness— Adjusts the level of higher harmonics via low-pass filter on exciter and damping filter on modes. Low values simulate wood/nylon, high value
  • Resonator Type Button— Selects between monophonic, duophonic (2-voice), and quadriphonic (4-voice) operation.
  • Polyphony— Selects between modal, sympathetic string, and modulated/inharmonic string resonators.
  • Damping Attenuverter— Attenuverter for the Damping CV input.
  • Brightness Attenuverter— Attenuverter for the Brightness CV input.
  • Excitation Position Attenuverter— Attenuverter for the Excitation Position CV input.
  • Frequency Attenuverter— Attenuverter for the Frequency CV input, functioning as fine frequency control when no patch cable is inserted (normalized to 1/12V).
  • Harmonic Structure Attenuverter— Attenuverter for the Harmonic Structure CV input.
  • Polyphony Mode— Selects between monophonic, duophonic (2-voice), and quadriphonic (4-voice) operation.
  • Resonator Type— Selects between modal, sympathetic string, and modulated/inharmonic string resonators.

How-To Guides

  • Calibrate V/Oct Tracking
  • Recalibrate Normalization Detector
  • Update Firmware via Audio
  • One-Cable Plucked String
  • Inharmonic Bell and Metal Tones
  • Sympathetic String Drone Coloration
  • Hollow Square-Wave Resonator
  • Strummed Polyphonic Chord Texture
  • Contact Microphone Body Resonance
  • Sitar and Tanpura String Buzz
  • Noise-Excited Pitched Percussion
  • Generative S&H Resonator

Explore the interactive Rings panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.

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