Peaks

Mutable Instruments 8HP
fw 1.2
ENVELOPE LFO DRUM SEQUENCER FUNCTION

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Dual trigger-processor. Four main functions (ADSR envelope, LFO, tap-tempo LFO, drum synth) plus four hidden (mini sequencer, trigger delay/repeat, probabilistic stream, digital drum). Twin/split/expert routing across two channels.

Patch Ideas · 11

★ Dual ADSR voice
FUNCTION: envelope · SPLIT off (twin) · knobs 1-4 set A/D/S/R · sequencer gate → TRIG 1 (for VCF env) and TRIG 2 (for VCA env) · OUT 1 → filter cutoff · OUT 2 → VCA CV · one Peaks covers both modulation envelopes for a classic voice.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 6 modules and 6 connections. Modules: Peaks, Sequencer, VCO, Filter, VCA, Filter (In) -> VCA (In) -> Output. Signals: 1 audio, 2 cv, 1 pitch, 2 gate.PeaksSequencerVCOFilterVCAFilter (In) -> VCA (In) -> OutputFUNCTION: envelopeSPLIT: off (twin ADSR)TRIG 1gateTRIG 2gateOUT 1cvOUT 2cvGategatePitch1v/octV/Oct1v/octOutaudioCutoffcvCVcvInaudioaudiocvpitchgate
★ Quadrature LFO from twin reset
FUNCTION: LFO · SPLIT off · knob 4 (phase on restart) set to 90° offset · TRIG 1 and TRIG 2 both reset from the same clock · OUT 1 and OUT 2 are phase-shifted copies of the same sine wave · pan modulation and stereo filter motion from one module.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Peaks, Clock, Filter, VCA. Signals: 2 cv, 2 clock.PeaksClockFilterVCAFUNCTION: LFOWaveform: sinePhase: 90 degreesTRIG 1clkTRIG 2clkOUT 1cvOUT 2cvOutclkCutoff LcvCutoff Rcv11. 90 deg offsetcvclock
Tap-tempo LFO follows groove
FUNCTION: tap-LFO · drummer or clocked gate (swung or irregular) → TRIG 1 · Peaks locks to the average period · OUT 1 modulates delay time for tempo-synced dub delay that follows the groove even when it changes · amplitude knob sets modulation depth.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 2 connections. Modules: Peaks, Clock, Delay. Signals: 1 cv, 1 clock.PeaksClockDelayFUNCTION: tap-LFOWaveform: sineAmplitude: 3 o'clockTRIG 1clkOUT 1cvOutclkTime CVcv11. swung clock learnedcvclock
★ 808 kick + snare from one module
FUNCTION: drum · SPLIT on · knobs 1/2 = BD tone/decay, knobs 3/4 = SD tone/snappy · sequencer pattern 1 → TRIG 1 (kick) · pattern 2 → TRIG 2 (snare) · OUT 1 + OUT 2 → mixer · instant '808 sweet-spot' drum kit in 8HP.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Peaks, Sequencer, Mixer. Signals: 2 audio, 2 trigger.PeaksSequencerMixerFUNCTION: drumSPLIT: on (808 sweet-spot)TRIG 1trigTRIG 2trigOUT 1audioOUT 2audioPattern 1trigPattern 2trigIn 1audioIn 2audio121. kick2. snareaudiotrigger
4-step mini sequencer
Hold FUNCTION → alt ENV (mini-seq) · SPLIT off · clock → TRIG 1 (advance) · reset gate → TRIG 2 (reset to step 1) · knobs 1-4 set each step's voltage · OUT 1 → quantizer → VCO V/Oct for a 4-note melody with per-knob tuning · CH 2 runs its own 4-step loop on TRIG 2.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Peaks, Clock, Reset, Quantizer, VCO. Signals: 2 pitch, 1 gate, 1 clock.PeaksClockResetQuantizerVCOFUNCTION: alt-envelope (mini-seq)SPLIT: offTRIG 1clkTRIG 2gateOUT 11v/octOutclkGategateIn1v/octOut1v/octV/Oct1v/oct11. resets CH 1pitchgateclock
Trigger repeater rolls
Hold FUNCTION → alt LFO (trigger delay) · SPLIT off · kick trigger → TRIG 1 · knob 2 sets gate duration · knob 3 sets delay · knob 4 sets repeat count · OUT 1 → kick drum → one hit becomes a roll of 3-6 evenly-spaced retriggers · knob 1 adds a pre-delay for flam-style offsets.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 2 connections. Modules: Peaks, Sequencer, Drum. Signals: 2 trigger.PeaksSequencerDrumFUNCTION: alt-LFO (trigger delay)Repeats: 4TRIG 1trigOUT 1trigKick TrigtrigTrigtrig11. roll of 4 repeatstrigger
Probabilistic hi-hat
Hold FUNCTION → alt tap-LFO (randomizer) · SPLIT on · clock → TRIG 1 · knob 1 = acceptance probability (~60%) · knob 2 = regeneration probability · OUT 1 → hi-hat trigger · produces a classic 'randomly dropping' hat pattern without an external probabilistic gate.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 2 connections. Modules: Peaks, Clock, HiHat. Signals: 1 trigger, 1 clock.PeaksClockHiHatFUNCTION: alt-tap (randomizer)SPLIT: onAccept probability: ~60%TRIG 1clkOUT 1trigOutclkTrigtrig11. ~60% of clocks passtriggerclock
Digital FM drum voice
Hold FUNCTION → alt drum (digital synth) · SPLIT off · trigger → TRIG 1 · knob 1 = frequency (tune for tom/kick/metallic) · knob 2 = FM intensity · knob 3 = decay · knob 4 = colour (CCW into 909 distortion, CW into noise snare) · OUT 1 → mixer for a tunable FM/noise drum voice.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 2 connections. Modules: Peaks, Sequencer, Mixer. Signals: 1 audio, 1 trigger.PeaksSequencerMixerFUNCTION: alt-drum (digital)SPLIT: offColor: full CCW (909 distortion)TRIG 1trigOUT 1audioKick TrigtrigInaudioaudiotrigger
Hands-free LFO morph
FUNCTION: LFO · SPLIT on · knob 2 (CH 1 waveform) sweeps from sine → slope → square → steps → random · LFO from an external modulator → TRIG 1 at slow rate · Peaks changes wave shape on each reset edge · produces evolving modulation without touching the knobs.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 2 connections. Modules: Peaks, LFO Ext, Filter. Signals: 1 cv, 1 clock.PeaksLFO ExtFilterFUNCTION: LFOSPLIT: onKnob 2: auto-swept externallyTRIG 1clkOUT 1cvSlowclkCutoffcv11. resets + steps morphcvclock
Twin drum layering
FUNCTION: drum · SPLIT off (twin) · both channels run identical BD/SD voicing on knobs · sequencer → TRIG 1 only · CH 1 = BD at OUT 1 · CH 2 = SD at OUT 2 · feed same trigger to both to get a punchy combined hit (layered kick + snare accent) · tune knobs for a unique hybrid drum.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 3 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Peaks, Sequencer, Mixer. Signals: 2 audio, 2 trigger.PeaksSequencerMixerFUNCTION: drumSPLIT: off (twin)TRIG 1trigTRIG 2trigOUT 1audioOUT 2audioTrigtrigIn 1audioIn 2audio1231. simultaneous layer2. kick layer3. snare layeraudiotrigger
Mutated-Mutables firmware
Install Tim Churches' Mutated-Mutables firmware via audio bootloader (TRIG 1 held at power-on, play WAV into TRIG 1 with monitors muted). Adds extra LFO wavetables, longer envelope times, reworked drum presets · same UI, expanded behaviour · no hardware change needed.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 2 modules and 1 connection. Modules: Peaks, Computer. Signals: 1 audio.PeaksComputerFirmware: Mutated-Mutables (community)TRIG 1audioAudio Outaudio11. bootloader modeaudio

Behaviors

Twin mode (knobs shared) SPLIT LED off

Both channels share all four knobs — full parameter set exposed. CH 1 and CH 2 have identical settings, each responding to its own TRIG input. Use for duophonic voices or two phase-shifted copies of the same LFO/envelope.

Split mode (2+2 knobs) SPLIT LED on

Knobs 1 & 2 control CH 1's two most essential params; knobs 3 & 4 control CH 2's. The remaining parameters snap to 'neutral' defaults. Ideal for quick dual-AD envelopes, dual simple LFOs, or a preset 808 kick + snare voicing.

Expert mode (per-channel) hold SPLIT 1s (blinks)

Knobs edit one channel at a time; the SPLIT button toggles which channel the knobs control. Gives full 4-parameter access per channel asymmetrically. Hold SPLIT again to exit.

ENV function: ADSR/AD FUNCTION = envelope

Twin/expert = full ADSR (A, D, S, R on knobs 1-4). Split = dual AD envelope (A/D for CH1, A/D for CH2). TRIG input starts and holds the envelope: ADSR requires a sustained gate; AD fires on trigger edges.

LFO function with waveform variation FUNCTION = LFO

Five waveforms: sine, linear slope, square, steps, random. Knob 3 (twin) morphs within: wavefolder for sine, asc/tri/desc balance for slope, PWM for square, number of steps for steps, interpolation for random. TRIG resets the waveform to the phase set by knob 4.

Tap-LFO function FUNCTION = tap-LFO · TRIG pulses set period

Tap-tempo LFO: the TRIG input sets the LFO period (one full cycle per tap interval). Peaks tracks irregular trigger streams and locks onto their average — drop in a swung clock and the LFO follows. Knob 1 is amplitude; knobs 2-4 mirror the regular LFO's waveform controls.

Drum function (BD / SD+HH) FUNCTION = drum

CH 1 is a bass-drum voice (knobs: base freq, punch, tone, decay). CH 2 is a snare/hi-hat voice (knobs: freq, tone, snappy, decay). Split mode gives a fixed '808 sweet-spot' voicing with BD tone + decay and SD tone + snappy on the four knobs.

Alt bank: mini-sequencer hold FUNCTION 1s · ENV slot

Twin: 4-step mini-sequencer on CH 1 (clocked by TRIG 1, reset by TRIG 2); CH 2 runs independently clocked by TRIG 2. Split: dual 2-step sequencer, no reset, per-channel clocking. Each knob is a step's output voltage.

Alt bank: trigger delay/repeater hold FUNCTION 1s · LFO slot

Incoming triggers are delayed with pre-delay, output gate duration, delay, and number of repeats (twin). Split reduces to delay + repeats per channel. Generates rolls, flams, and metric delays without an external module.

Alt bank: trigger randomizer hold FUNCTION 1s · tap-LFO slot

Probabilistic trigger processor. Knob 1 = probability trigger is accepted. Knob 2 = probability it is regenerated after delay. Knob 3 = delay time. Knob 4 = jitter. Converts a steady clock into probabilistic, slightly swung trigger streams.

Alt bank: digital drum synth hold FUNCTION 1s · drum slot

Anushri-style FM drum synth with frequency, FM intensity, FM/AM decay, and colour (center = clean, left = 909 distortion, right = snare noise). Split mode offers preset morphs between BD (CH1) and SD (CH2) variations.

Firmware-mod TRIG threshold power-on sequence · TRIG1 button held

Peaks enters audio-bootloader mode when powered on with TRIG 1 held. Play the firmware WAV into TRIG 1 input with monitors muted — the three LEDs blink on each valid block. Used for official updates and Tim Churches' Mutated-Mutables community firmware (extra wavetables, extended ranges).

Controls

Global SPLIT button Short press toggles twin (both channels share knobs) and split (knobs 1/2 = CH1, knobs 3/4 = CH2). Hold 1s: enter expert mode, button then swaps which channel the knobs edit.
LED off: twin · LED on: split · blinking: expert (hold to exit)
Global FUNCTION button Short press cycles the four main functions: envelope, LFO, tap LFO, drum. Hold 1s (blinks): switch to the four hidden alternative functions.
4 main × 2 alt banks = 8 modes · hold again to return to main
ENV twin: Attack · ENV split CH1: Attack · LFO twin: Frequency · DRUM twin: Base freq Knob 1 First parameter for the active mode. Meaning follows the function/mode table.
mapping depends on FUNCTION × SPLIT state
ENV twin: Decay · ENV split CH1: Decay · LFO twin: Waveform · DRUM twin: Punch/Tone Knob 2 Second parameter for the active mode.
mapping depends on FUNCTION × SPLIT state
ENV twin: Sustain · ENV split CH2: Attack · LFO twin: Waveform variation · DRUM twin: Tone/Snappy Knob 3 Third parameter for the active mode.
mapping depends on FUNCTION × SPLIT state
ENV twin: Release · ENV split CH2: Decay · LFO twin: Phase · DRUM twin: Decay Knob 4 Fourth parameter for the active mode.
mapping depends on FUNCTION × SPLIT state
CH 1 TRIG 1 switch Momentary trigger button for CH 1. LED shows CH 1 output activity. Overrides TRIG 1 jack while pressed.
tactile switch · LED = output level indicator
CH 2 TRIG 2 switch Momentary trigger button for CH 2. LED shows CH 2 output activity.
tactile switch · LED = output level indicator

I/O

IN · 2

  • TRIG 1 0.7V threshold · gate or trigger GATE
    Gate/trigger input for channel 1. Starts envelope, resets LFO, learns tap tempo, or fires drum depending on mode.
  • TRIG 2 0.7V threshold · gate or trigger GATE
    Gate/trigger input for channel 2. Same function as TRIG 1 on CH 2. Also resets CH 1 in the alternative mini-sequencer (twin mode).

OUT · 2

  • OUT 1 0 – +8V CV · ±5V LFO · audio level for drums GATE
    Channel 1 output. Envelope, LFO, tap LFO, bass drum (main banks) or sequencer/trigger-delay/probabilistic/909-kick (alt bank).
  • OUT 2 0 – +8V CV · ±5V LFO · audio level for drums CV
    Channel 2 output. Same per-mode behaviour as OUT 1, except the main drum bank is snare/hi-hat (CH2) rather than bass drum (CH1).