mutable-instruments/streams

Streams

Mutable Instruments

Dual voltage-controlled filter and amplifier (VCFA) with multiple dynamics manipulation modes including envelope generation, vactrol emulation, envelope following, and compression.452

Capabilities 6

Compressorcompressor
Compressor and Softer compressor modes use the VCA as a dynamics processor; EXCITE works as optional sidechain.452
Envelope Followerenvelope-follower
Follower and Cutoff Controller modes extract amplitude envelope and spectral centroid from EXCITE and apply them to the IN signal's amplitude and filter cutoff.452
Envelope Generatorenvelope-generator
Envelope and AR Envelope modes generate internal AD/AR envelopes triggered by EXCITE, routed to both the VCA and VCF cutoff.452
Lowpass Gatelowpass-gate
Vactrol and Plucked vactrol modes use a digital model of a resistive opto-isolator to emulate the slow, non-linear low-pass gate response pioneered by Don Buchla.452
Vcfvcf
Dual analog VCFA; each channel has a voltage-controlled filter whose cutoff is modulated by the EXCITE input processing.452
Voltage-Controlled Amplifiervca
Dual analog VCFA; each channel has a voltage-controlled amplifier whose gain is modulated by the EXCITE input processing. Direct VCA use via LEVEL input.452

Jacks 4 — 3 in / 1 out

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (3)
EXCITEmixed—Multi-purpose control port. In envelope mode, accepts trigger pulses. In vactrol/follower mode, accepts audio or CV. In compressor mode, works as sidechain input.452
INmixed—Signal input for audio or CV. When unpatched, an internal +3.3V signal is routed to the VCFA, enabling CV generation use cases.452
LEVELcv—Directly wired to amplitude control of the VCFA. Attenuated by LEVEL MOD knob. When unpatched, an internal +8V is generated (LEVEL MOD acts as an offset).452
Outputs (1)
OUTmixed—452

Parameters 6

NameTypeRangeBehavior
Function Selectorbutton—Press to display current function of the channel, press again to cycle through the four functions. Hold to access the alternate bank of 5 functions. Hold both channels simultaneously to link channels (Siamese twins mode).452
LEVEL MODknob—Attenuator for the LEVEL CV input, which is directly routed to the amplitude control port of the VCFA. When LEVEL is unpatched, acts as an offset control (internal +8V is generated).452
METERbutton—Press to show bargraph display. Press again to cycle between 4 visualization modes. Hold for 1s during calibration to enter input calibration mode.452
MODknob—Adjusts the amount of brightness (cutoff frequency) modulation applied to the signal, in addition to amplitude modulation. Behavior varies per mode.452
Zones
compressor
Limiting (no make-up gain)
Pumping (with make-up gain)
  • Limiting (no make-up gain) -100–0%Progressively increases compression ratio up to 25:1 with no make-up gain, taming the loudest parts.452
  • Pumping (with make-up gain) 0–100%Increases compression ratio with matching make-up gain, pumping the quietest parts while leaving peaks untouched.452
Response Curveknob—Adjusts the VCA response from exponential to linear.452
SHAPEknob—Controls the overall attack and decay characteristics of the selected function — envelope times, vactrol or envelope follower reaction time. Behavior changes per mode.452
Zones
envelope-generator
Immediate attack / increasing decay
Increasing attack / shorter decay
  • Immediate attack / increasing decay -100–0%Immediate attacks with increasingly long decay times.452
  • Increasing attack / shorter decay 0–100%Attack progressively increases as decay shortens, producing brass-instrument-style envelopes.452
vactrol
Normal response
Backwards response
  • Normal response -100–0%Decay time of the vactrol increases with proportional attack increase — normal vactrol response.452
  • Backwards response 0–100%Stranger contours where the vactrol responds 'backwards'.452
follower
Fast to muddy
Muddy to wobbly
  • Fast to muddy -100–0%Detector reaction time goes from fast to muddy.452
  • Muddy to wobbly 0–100%Detector reaction time goes from muddy to wobbly.452

Firmware history 0 versions

No firmware history recorded.

References 2

  1. [452]
    Streams Manual (full)manual
    source 452 canonical ↗ archived ↗
    ● verified 2026-05-17
  2. [453]
    Mutable Instruments Streams product pageproduct_page
    source 453 canonical ↗ archived ↗
    ● verified 2026-05-17