Mutable Instruments Marbles, Quick Start Manual

Page: 9 / 16

X
Generator
The X generator generates three independent random volt-
ages output on X
1
, X
2
and X
3
. They are clocked by the three
outputs from the t section, or by a common external clock.
I. Output voltage range. 0 to +2V, 0 to +5V or -5 to +5V.
J. Probability distribution width and shape. Turning count-
er-clockwise from 12 o’clock, the voltages are increasingly
concentrated near the center of the range. Fully count-
er-clockwise, a constant voltage is output. At 12 o’clock,
they follow a bell curve - more likely to occur near the cen-
ter but able to reach the extremes. At 2 o’clock, they occupy
the entire voltage range with equal probability. Past this
point, extreme values become more likely. Fully clockwise,
only the minimum and maximum voltages are possible,
turning X
1
, X
2
and X
3
into random gates.
K. Distribution bias. Skews the distribution towards low or
high voltages. Think of this as the probabilistic equivalent of
an offset: it does not shift the voltage down or up, but biases
the decision towards the bottom or top of the voltage range.
L. Horizontal and vertical “steppiness” of the generated
voltages. At 12 o’clock, generates the typical S&H steps.
Turn CCW to generate smoother edges, then random linear
segments, then smooth random curves. Turn CW to quantize
the generated voltages to a scale, then to progressively strip
the scale of its notes until only the root note remains.
M. Controls how the outputs X
1
, X
2
and X
3
react to the
settings dialed on the knobs [J] , [K] and [L] – allowing you
to obtain different flavors of random voltages from the 3
outputs (>continues on next page) .