Just Friends

Mannequins 14HP
fw 4.x (Just Type)
FUNCTION LFO OSCILLATOR ENVELOPE VCO

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Six manifold slope generators tuned to integer ratios (1N–6N). Switchable between shape-rate envelopes/LFOs and sound-rate oscillators. Extended RUN firmware modes reveal polyphonic LPG, FM and ratcheted behaviours.

Patch Ideas · 10

One-cable polyrhythm
One clock into TRIGGER 6N fires all six channels at related rates — instant polyrhythmic modulation from a single gate.
Walkthrough
  1. Set MODE switch to CYCLE.
  2. Set RANGE switch to SHAPE.
  3. Set INTONE knob past noon CW so 2N–6N run faster than IDENTITY.
  4. Leave RUN unpatched.
  5. Patch your clock → Just Friends TRIGGER 6N (no other TRIGGER jacks patched). Reverse-normalling fans the clock out to all six channels.
  6. Patch Just Friends OUT 1N → Filter Cutoff (slowest lane).
  7. Patch Just Friends OUT 2N → VCA CV.
  8. Patch Just Friends OUT 3N → VCO FM.
  9. Patch Just Friends OUT 4N → FX Time (fastest lane used).
Signal out Just Friends OUT 1N–6N — six 0–8V shape-rate LFOs/envelopes locked to the single clock at 1:2:3:4:5:6 ratios.
Listen for A single clock drives six interlocking modulation lanes at related speeds. Sweep INTONE CCW to collapse toward unison, CW to spread further apart — the whole patch polyrhythms or locks in place from one knob.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 6 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Just Friends, Clock, Filter, VCA, VCO, FX. Signals: 4 cv, 1 clock.Just FriendsClockFilterVCAVCOFXMODE: cycleRANGE: shapeINTONE: CWTRIGGER 6NclkOUT 1NcvOUT 2NcvOUT 3NcvOUT 4NcvOutclkCutoffcvCVcvFMcvTimecv11. cascades to all 6cvclock
★ PLUME six-voice polysynth
RUN firmware in SUSTAIN + SOUND turns Just Friends into a six-voice polysynth with built-in LPGs — gates play each channel like a key.
Walkthrough
  1. Set MODE switch to SUSTAIN.
  2. Set RANGE switch to SOUND (PLUME firmware mode).
  3. Patch an offset of about +1V → Just Friends RUN (shapes the internal LPG character).
  4. Patch your 1V/oct pitch source → Just Friends TIME (v/8) for tuning all six voices.
  5. Set INTONE knob to choose the chord voicing: noon = unison, CW for overtone stack, CCW for undertone stack.
  6. Patch voice 1 gate → Just Friends TRIGGER 1N.
  7. Patch voice 2 gate → Just Friends TRIGGER 2N.
  8. Patch voice 3 gate → Just Friends TRIGGER 3N (add more as needed up to TRIGGER 6N).
  9. Patch Just Friends MIX → Output.
Signal out Just Friends MIX — tanh-limited six-voice polysynth mix (~15Vpp) with internal LPG envelopes and VCAs per channel.
Listen for Short gates pluck each channel like a Rhodes tine; held gates sustain. No external EG/VCA/LPG needed — the whole voice is inside one module. Tweak RUN live to reshape every LPG response at once.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 7 modules and 6 connections. Signals: 1 audio, 1 cv, 1 pitch, 3 gate.Just FriendsSequencerOffsetGate 1Gate 2Gate 3OutputMODE: sustainRANGE: soundRUN: patchedTIME1v/octRUNcvTRIGGER 1NgateTRIGGER 2NgateTRIGGER 3NgateMIXaudioPitch1v/oct+1VcvOutgateOutgateOutgateInaudioaudiocvpitchgate
FLOOM FM chord
CYCLE + SOUND + RUN patched gives FLOOM — each channel is a 2-operator FM voice, stacked into a harmonic FM chord at MIX.
Walkthrough
  1. Set MODE switch to CYCLE.
  2. Set RANGE switch to SOUND.
  3. Patch any cable into RUN to enter FLOOM firmware mode (start with a fixed offset so you can sweep it).
  4. Turn the FM knob full CW so FM INPUT routes to TIME (FM depth control in FLOOM).
  5. Set INTONE full CW for an overtone chord across 2N–6N.
  6. Patch your 1V/oct pitch source → Just Friends TIME (v/8).
  7. Patch an audio-rate VCO → Just Friends FM INPUT (this is the FM source).
  8. Patch a slow LFO → Just Friends RUN to morph modulator:carrier ratio.
  9. Patch Just Friends MIX → Output.
Signal out Just Friends MIX — saturated FM chord summing six 2-op FM voices at the INTONE ratios (~15Vpp).
Listen for A full FM chord from one module. Sweep RUN to slide through ratios — integer values sound musical, in-between values go inharmonic and bell-like. FM knob sets depth; INTONE reshapes the chord voicing.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Just Friends, VCO, LFO, Sequencer, Output. Signals: 2 audio, 1 cv, 1 pitch.Just FriendsVCOLFOSequencerOutputMODE: cycleRANGE: soundRUN: patched · FM knob CWINTONE: CW (overtones)TIME1v/octFM INPUTaudioRUNcvMIXaudioOutaudioOutcvPitch1v/octInaudio11. timbre morphaudiocvpitch
VOLLEY burst ratchets
CYCLE + SHAPE + RUN patched = VOLLEY — each trigger fires a CV-determined burst of cycles per channel.
Walkthrough
  1. Set MODE switch to CYCLE.
  2. Set RANGE switch to SHAPE.
  3. Patch an offset of about +2V → Just Friends RUN (−4V = 1 cycle per burst, 0V = 6, +5V = 36).
  4. Set TIME knob for the burst cycle length (short for ratchets, longer for flams).
  5. Patch your clock → Just Friends TRIGGER 6N (reverse-normals to all six channels).
  6. Patch Just Friends OUT 6N → Drum 1 Trig for the fastest ratchet lane.
  7. Patch Just Friends OUT 1N → Drum 2 Trig for a slower flam lane.
Signal out Just Friends OUT 1N–6N — triggered bursts of shape cycles per clock hit, each channel running at its N ratio.
Listen for Every clock pulse triggers a controlled ratchet on each output: OUT 6N fires fastest, OUT 1N slowest. Great for drum fills, euclidean flams, and burst-generator duty. Modulate RUN to vary burst counts live.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Just Friends, Clock, Offset, Drum, Drum 2. Signals: 1 cv, 3 trigger.Just FriendsClockOffsetDrumDrum 2MODE: cycleRANGE: shapeRUN: ~+2VTRIGGER 6NtrigRUNcvOUT 6NtrigOUT 1NtrigOuttrig+2VcvTrigtrigTrigtrig121. burst count2. ratcheted hitscvtrigger
★ Six related LFOs for animation
CYCLE + SHAPE with INTONE just off noon produces six gently diverging LFOs — one module animates a whole voice.
Walkthrough
  1. Set MODE switch to CYCLE.
  2. Set RANGE switch to SHAPE.
  3. Set INTONE knob just CCW of noon so 2N–6N drift slower than IDENTITY (gently diverging rates).
  4. Set TIME knob for the base LFO period (seconds to tens of seconds).
  5. Set CURVE at noon for rounded shapes; sweep CCW for steeper edges.
  6. Leave RUN unpatched, no TRIGGER cables — channels free-run.
  7. Patch Just Friends OUT 1N → Filter Cutoff.
  8. Patch Just Friends OUT 2N → VCO FM.
  9. Patch Just Friends OUT 3N → Wavefolder Amount.
  10. Patch Just Friends OUT 4N → Pan CV.
  11. Patch Just Friends OUT 5N → Reverb Time.
Signal out Just Friends OUT 1N–6N — six free-running 0–8V LFOs at related-but-drifting rates.
Listen for A whole voice that breathes in six places at once, never landing in the same state twice. Nudge INTONE to collapse toward unison (everything syncs) or expand CW for obvious polyrhythmic motion.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 7 modules and 6 connections. Signals: 6 cv.Just FriendsFilterVCOWavefolderPanReverbVCAMODE: cycleRANGE: shapeINTONE: just CCW of noonOUT 1NcvOUT 2NcvOUT 3NcvOUT 4NcvOUT 5NcvOUT 6NcvCutoffcvFMcvAmountcvCVcvTimecvCVcvcv
★ Harmonic chord oscillator
CYCLE + SOUND + INTONE full CW stacks IDENTITY + overtones into a just-intoned chord oscillator — mix chosen OUTs for the voicing.
Walkthrough
  1. Set MODE switch to CYCLE.
  2. Set RANGE switch to SOUND.
  3. Set INTONE knob full CW (maximum overtone stack: 2N=octave, 3N=oct+5th, 4N=2 oct, 5N=2 oct+maj 3rd, 6N=2 oct+5th).
  4. Patch your 1V/oct pitch source → Just Friends TIME (v/8). IDENTITY tracks the keyboard and all other channels follow.
  5. Patch Just Friends OUT 1N → Mixer (root).
  6. Patch Just Friends OUT 3N → Mixer (5th above the octave).
  7. Patch Just Friends OUT 5N → Mixer (major 3rd, two octaves up).
  8. Patch Mixer Out → Output.
Signal out Mixer Out — selected 1N/3N/5N channels blended into a just-intoned triad, each channel a ±5V sound-rate slope.
Listen for A clean organ-like chord that tracks the keyboard as one voice. Swap which OUTs you mix for different voicings: 1N+2N+3N = power chord, 1N+5N = major-3rd dyad, 1N+6N = open-5th. Turn INTONE CCW to drop into undertone voicings instead.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Just Friends, Mixer, Sequencer, Output. Signals: 4 audio, 1 pitch.Just FriendsMixerSequencerOutputMODE: cycleRANGE: soundINTONE: full CWTIME1v/octOUT 1NaudioOUT 3NaudioOUT 5NaudioInaudioOutaudioPitch1v/octInaudio1231. root2. 5th3. major 3rdaudiopitch
ASR envelope + related slow envelope
SUSTAIN + SHAPE turns IDENTITY into a gated ASR; OUT 2N gives a ratio-related slower ASR — one gate opens filter and VCA together.
Walkthrough
  1. Set MODE switch to SUSTAIN.
  2. Set RANGE switch to SHAPE.
  3. Set INTONE knob just CCW of noon so 2N runs a little slower than IDENTITY.
  4. Set TIME for the IDENTITY attack/release speed; RAMP sets the A/R balance.
  5. Patch your gate → Just Friends TRIGGER 1N.
  6. Patch Just Friends OUT 1N → VCA CV (fast ASR for amplitude).
  7. Patch Just Friends OUT 2N → Filter Cutoff (related slower ASR for tone).
Signal out Just Friends OUT 1N = 0–8V gated ASR (amplitude), OUT 2N = 0–8V related slower ASR (tone).
Listen for One gate opens the VCA with a snappy envelope and sweeps the filter with a slower related one. INTONE changes how much slower 2N runs — CCW for a long filter tail behind the note, noon to lock them together.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 3 connections. Modules: Just Friends, Gate, VCA, Filter. Signals: 2 cv, 1 gate.Just FriendsGateVCAFilterMODE: sustainRANGE: shapeTRIGGER 1NgateOUT 1NcvOUT 2NcvOutgateCVcvCutoffcv11. slower related ASRcvgate
SHIFT analog clock divider
TRANSIENT + SHAPE + RUN near +5V puts SHIFT into end-of-cycle retrigger-only mode — OUT 1N–6N become clock-divided envelope lanes.
Walkthrough
  1. Set MODE switch to TRANSIENT.
  2. Set RANGE switch to SHAPE.
  3. Patch an offset of about +5V → Just Friends RUN (SHIFT: only retrigger at end-of-cycle = clean division).
  4. Set TIME longer than one clock period so each channel spans multiple clocks.
  5. Set INTONE CW so 2N–6N run at integer ratios of IDENTITY.
  6. Patch your fast clock → Just Friends TRIGGER 6N (cascades to all six).
  7. Patch Just Friends OUT 2N → Drum 1 Trig as a /2 clock.
  8. Patch Just Friends OUT 3N → Drum 2 Trig as a /3 clock.
  9. Tap OUT 4N, 5N, 6N for /4, /5, /6 lanes as needed.
Signal out Just Friends OUT 1N–6N — shaped 0–8V envelopes that also act as divided clock lanes (÷1 through ÷6 at INTONE full CW).
Listen for One fast clock becomes six slower ones, each shaped like an envelope rather than a raw pulse. Sweep RUN CCW to allow earlier retriggers — the division softens into a MATHS-style retrigger behavior.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Just Friends, Clock, Offset, Drum. Signals: 1 cv, 2 trigger, 1 clock.Just FriendsClockOffsetDrumMODE: transientRANGE: shapeRUN: ~+5V (retrigger at EOC only)TRIGGER 6NclkRUNcvOUT 2NtrigOUT 3NtrigOutclk+5VcvTrigtrig121. /22. /3cvtriggerclock
Audio-rate ratio FM
FM knob full CCW routes FM INPUT to INTONE — audio-rate modulation re-voices the manifold every cycle for a shifting chord drone.
Walkthrough
  1. Set MODE switch to CYCLE.
  2. Set RANGE switch to SOUND.
  3. Turn the FM knob full CCW so FM INPUT sends to INTONE (ratio FM, not pitch FM).
  4. Set INTONE knob at noon (unison starting point — modulation will sweep around this).
  5. Patch an audio-rate VCO → Just Friends FM INPUT. (In SOUND range this jack is AC-coupled for through-zero behavior.)
  6. Patch your 1V/oct pitch source → Just Friends TIME (v/8).
  7. Patch Just Friends MIX → Output.
Signal out Just Friends MIX — tanh-limited ~15Vpp sum of all six channels being audio-rate ratio-modulated.
Listen for A shimmering discordant drone that keeps re-voicing itself — the chord structure dissolves and reforms at the modulator rate. Turn the FM knob back toward noon to tame it, or nudge CW to blend in TIME FM for extra wobble.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 3 connections. Modules: Just Friends, VCO, Sequencer, Output. Signals: 2 audio, 1 pitch.Just FriendsVCOSequencerOutputMODE: cycleRANGE: soundFM knob: full CCW (→ INTONE)FM INPUTaudioTIME1v/octMIXaudioOutaudioPitch1v/octInaudioaudiopitch
STRATA six-channel slew
SUSTAIN + SHAPE + RUN patched (STRATA) turns the manifold into six slew limiters — one per channel, each at a different ratio.
Walkthrough
  1. Set MODE switch to SUSTAIN.
  2. Set RANGE switch to SHAPE.
  3. Patch an offset of about +4V → Just Friends RUN (STRATA: RUN voltage sets the sustain/slew character).
  4. Set TIME for the base slew time (short = snappy, long = molasses).
  5. Set INTONE knob CW so 2N–6N slew faster than IDENTITY.
  6. Patch stepped CV lane 1 → Just Friends TRIGGER 1N (acts as the CV input to that slew channel).
  7. Patch stepped CV lane 2 → Just Friends TRIGGER 2N.
  8. Patch Just Friends OUT 1N → VCO 1 FM (slewed version of lane 1).
  9. Patch Just Friends OUT 2N → VCO 2 FM (slewed version of lane 2, different slew rate).
Signal out Just Friends OUT 1N–6N — each a slew-limited version of the corresponding TRIGGER input, with per-channel lag set by INTONE.
Listen for Stepped sequencer lanes turn into flowing CV — each channel glides at its own speed. Sweep RUN to change the slew character live; INTONE globally rebalances how fast the later channels catch up.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 6 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Just Friends, CV 1, CV 2, Offset, VCO 1, VCO 2. Signals: 5 cv.Just FriendsCV 1CV 2OffsetVCO 1VCO 2MODE: sustainRANGE: shapeRUN: patched (sustain level)TRIGGER 1NcvTRIGGER 2NcvRUNcvOUT 1NcvOUT 2NcvOutcvOutcv+4VcvFMcvFMcv11. slewedcv

Behaviors

TRANSIENT mode MODE: transient

Each channel is a triggered attack-release slope. Rising edges fire an AR shaped by CURVE and RAMP. In shape range this is six clock-divided/multiplied envelopes; in sound range it becomes an impulse-train oscillator family covering subharmonics.

SUSTAIN mode MODE: sustain

Gate-sensitive ASR: while the gate is high the slope climbs to its peak and sustains; gate low releases. In sound range it produces trapezoid VCOs whose pulse width follows the incoming gate length — enables PWM tracking.

CYCLE mode MODE: cycle

Free-running. In shape = six temporally-related LFOs forming polyrhythms from INTONE. In sound = a harmonic/undertone oscillator stack: CW INTONE produces overtone series (2N=octave, 3N=octave+5th, 4N=2 oct…), CCW produces undertones.

Trigger normalling cascade Single cable into TRIGGER 6N with others unpatched

Trigger jacks are reverse-normalled so that a cable into 6N alone fires all six channels. Patching any individual trigger breaks the normal at that point. Enables one-cable polyrhythmic triggering; each patched cable 'carves off' that channel to external control.

FM knob routing Patch source into FM INPUT

The FM knob is a bipolar crossfade: full CW sends the FM INPUT to TIME (pitch/speed FM); full CCW sends it to INTONE (ratio FM, re-voicing the manifold). Mid positions blend both destinations. FM INPUT is AC-coupled in sound range for through-zero FM.

SHIFT (RUN, transient/shape) RUN jack patched · MODE transient · RANGE shape

Variable retrigger lockout. RUN voltage −5V→+5V sweeps receptiveness from 'always retriggerable' to 'retrigger only at end-of-cycle'. Emulates MATHS-style retrigger blocking with CV control over the lockout threshold.

STRATA (RUN, sustain/shape) RUN patched · MODE sustain · RANGE shape

ARSR envelope generator with CV-controlled sustain level (0–8V from RUN). Same hardware also becomes a six-channel slew limiter when driven by stepped voltages, tracking input CV with a per-channel lag.

VOLLEY (RUN, cycle/shape) RUN patched · MODE cycle · RANGE shape

Burst generator. Each trigger produces a CV-determined number of cycles: −4V = 1 cycle, 0V = 6 cycles, +5V = 36 cycles. Per-channel ratio scaling means ratcheted euclidean-style patterns fall out of the manifold.

SPILL (RUN, transient/sound) RUN patched · MODE transient · RANGE sound

Self-clocked impulse oscillator stack. IDENTITY free-runs; 2N–6N are re-triggered by IDENTITY's end-of-cycle, producing subharmonic drones. RUN voltage introduces retrigger chaos and sync-like timbres.

PLUME (RUN, sustain/sound) RUN patched · MODE sustain · RANGE sound

Six free-running VCOs through internal pluckable low-pass gates. TRIGGER inputs act like piano keys — short trigger = plucked note, sustained gate = held note. RUN shapes the LPG response. Instant 6-voice polysynth without external EGs, VCAs or LPGs.

FLOOM (RUN, cycle/sound) RUN patched · MODE cycle · RANGE sound

Each channel becomes a 2-operator FM voice with an internal sine modulator. RUN sets modulator:carrier ratio (−5V to +5V); the FM INPUT and FM knob now control FM depth. Specific RUN voltages produce inharmonic / noise timbres.

MIX behaviour differs by range Patch MIX output

In shape, MIX emits the maximum of each slope divided by its index — effectively an envelope-priority output where IDENTITY dominates. In sound, MIX is a tanh-limited sum of all six channels, producing a warm ~15Vpp saturated chord or drone.

Controls

Global (IDENTITY) TIME Master speed of the IDENTITY slope. Other channels (2N–6N) scale from this via INTONE.
shape: minutes–ms · sound: ms–µs · v/8 tracking via TIME CV
Global (ratios) INTONE Sets harmonic ratio of channels 2N–6N relative to IDENTITY. Noon = all unison; CW multiplies (up to 6N); CCW divides (down to 1/6).
CCW: undertone series · noon: unison · CW: overtone series
Global CURVE Waveshape of every slope. Sweeps from rectangular through log/linear/expo to sine.
CCW: pulse · noon: linear · CW: sine · full-sweep via ±5V CV
Global RAMP Rise/fall balance. CCW = instant attack + long release (saw); CW = long attack + instant release (ramp). Total duration unchanged.
Symmetric at noon · with CURVE full CCW becomes audio-rate PWM in cycle mode
FM INPUT depth FM Bipolar attenuator routing FM INPUT. CW feeds TIME (pitch FM); CCW feeds INTONE (ratio FM).
CCW: INTONE FM · noon: zero · CW: TIME FM
Global MODE switch Three-position mode selector shared by all six channels: TRANSIENT (triggered AR), SUSTAIN (gated ASR), CYCLE (free-running).
transient | sustain | cycle
Global RANGE switch Two-position switch toggling between control-rate shape and audio-rate sound.
shape: 0–8V unipolar · sound: ±5V bipolar

I/O

IN · 12

  • TIME (v/8) −2V to +5V CV
    1V/oct CV for IDENTITY speed. Tracks across shape and sound ranges.
  • INTONE ±5V CV
    CV for ratio parameter. ±5V at noon sweeps 1/N to N.
  • RAMP ±5V CV
    CV for rise/fall balance.
  • CURVE ±5V CV
    CV for waveshape.
  • FM INPUT audio-rate CV
    Audio-rate modulation source. DC-coupled in shape; AC-coupled in sound for through-zero FM.
  • RUN ±5V CV
    Selects and CV-controls RUN modes (SHIFT/STRATA/VOLLEY/SPILL/PLUME/FLOOM). Unpatched = standard modes.
    NORM → disconnected = standard modes
  • TRIGGER 1N / IDENTITY ~1V threshold GATE
    Trigger or gate for the IDENTITY channel. Normalled forward to 2N…6N unless 2N is patched.
  • TRIGGER 2N ~1V threshold GATE
    Trigger/gate for 2N channel. Normalled from IDENTITY; breaks normal and cascades onward when patched.
    NORM → IDENTITY trigger
  • TRIGGER 3N ~1V threshold GATE
    Trigger/gate for 3N channel.
    NORM → 2N (→IDENTITY)
  • TRIGGER 4N ~1V threshold GATE
    Trigger/gate for 4N channel.
    NORM → 3N
  • TRIGGER 5N ~1V threshold GATE
    Trigger/gate for 5N channel.
    NORM → 4N
  • TRIGGER 6N ~1V threshold GATE
    Trigger/gate for 6N channel. A single trigger here with no others patched excites all six channels via reverse-cascade normalling.
    NORM → 5N

OUT · 7

  • OUT 1N / IDENTITY shape: 0–8V · sound: ±5V
    Slope output for IDENTITY channel.
  • OUT 2N shape: 0–8V · sound: ±5V
    Slope output at 2N ratio.
  • OUT 3N shape: 0–8V · sound: ±5V
    Slope output at 3N ratio.
  • OUT 4N shape: 0–8V · sound: ±5V
    Slope output at 4N ratio.
  • OUT 5N shape: 0–8V · sound: ±5V
    Slope output at 5N ratio.
  • OUT 6N shape: 0–8V · sound: ±5V
    Slope output at 6N ratio.
  • MIX ENV
    shape: largest-of-scaled-slopes (envelope priority). sound: tanh-limited sum of all six (~15Vpp).