Mutable Instruments Frames — Genuine MI Silver Panel

Mutable Instruments Frames — the 18HP four-channel keyframer, mixer and CV animator that Émilie Gillet discontinued in 2022. No longer in production anywhere.

Build and provenance — please read: This is a DIY build, not a factory unit. The panel and knobs are genuine Mutable Instruments parts purchased directly from Émilie Gillet. The PCB was fabricated from her open-source v0.3 design files, with SMD components machine-placed by JLCPCB. Through-hole assembly, testing and calibration done by hand.

What it does:

Frames is four channels of attenuation and mixing where every level setting can be stored as a "keyframe." Turn the big FRAME knob — or send CV to the FRAME input — and the module smoothly interpolates between your stored snapshots. Up to 20 keyframes.

• 4-channel mixer/VCA with individual outputs plus a summed MIX out
• Keyframe animation — morph between stored level configurations via knob or CV, ADD and DEL buttons for editing on the fly
• CV source mode — flip the +10V OFFSET switch with nothing patched into the inputs and all four channels become an animated quad CV generator. This is where Frames really earns its rack space.
• Modulation knob — bipolar attenuverter over frame position
• FR. STEP input — trigger to advance through frames one at a time, turning it into a sequencer
• Alternate firmware modes — including the poly LFO and quad envelope Easter eggs

Specs:

• 18 HP
• Power: +12V 90mA / -12V 30mA
• Genuine Mutable Instruments aluminum panel
• JP1 jumper configured, power header keyed with red-stripe marking