Loom

An alternative firmware for the Yarns MIDI interface by Mutable Instruments, with an emphasis on dynamic voicing, open-ended musical composition, and flexible control.

Features

• Looper-style sequencer with real-time recording and overdubbing
• Braids-inspired oscillator waveforms with timbre modulation: 10 synthesis models, with over 30 variants
• ADSR envelopes with velocity-sensitive segments and amplitude
• Tremolo with variable depth and shape
• New layouts, including a layout that features a 3-voice paraphonic part
• New and improved algorithms for polyphonic dispatch
• New ways to use the hold pedal, including latch, sostenuto, and note filtering
• Velocity filtering
• Input octave switch
• Sequencer-driven arpeggiator
• More options for how a sequence interacts with keyboard input
• Global control and display of the active part and its play mode
• Expanded CC support: recording control, macro functions, display of received values
• Check the manual for more!

Caveats

• Installation of this firmware is at your own risk
• Presets saved in this firmware cannot be loaded with the manufacturer's firmware, and vice versa. Users are advised to run INIT from the main menu after switching firmware
• Some changes are not documented in the changelog
• Some of Yarns' stock capabilities have been downgraded to accomodate new features (e.g. the sequencer holds 30 notes instead of the original 64)

Installation

1. Download yarns.syx from the latest release's assets
2. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing new firmware

Community

• Discussion thread on the Mutable Instruments forums
• Support on Patreon
• Forks, pull requests, feature ideas, and bug reports are welcome (though I can't guarantee a timely response)
• License: MIT License

Acknowledgements

• Thanks to forum user bloc for beta testing, bug reports, support, and many great ideas
• Thanks to forum user Airell for the idea of per-part latching
• Thanks to forum user sdejesus13 for encouraging the exploration of clock-based recording
• And above all, thanks to Émilie Gillet for making a great open-source module!