marbles

marbles · sources · schema v1

Random sampler / clock generator (Mutable Instruments Marbles archetype, Émilie Gillet, MIT-licensed). Clean-room TypeScript port of the eurorack/marbles/ DSP. The T-section (t1 / t2 gates) generates clocked random gates via one of six models — COIN (complementary Bernoulli), CLUSTERS, DRUMS (18 built-in 8-step patterns), INDEP (independent Bernoulli), 3-STATE, MARKOV — with a déjà-vu loop that locks the random stream into a repeating pattern (RATE / T BIAS / T JITTER / DÉJÀ VU / LENGTH). The X-section (x1 / x2 / x3 CV) draws random voltages shaped by SPREAD (variance), X BIAS (mean), and STEPS (quantization amount + STEPS-knob portamento), snapped through a weight-aware variable-resolution quantizer onto one of six scales (C major / C minor / Pentatonic / Pelog / Raag Bhairav / Raag Shri), with its own déjà-vu loop shared across the three X channels via pseudo-random hash shifts. clk is the master clock. CV outs are ±1 (= ±5V). Beta-distribution sampling is approximated analytically vs the firmware's precomputed table; the déjà-vu / Markov / quantizer / lag logic is ported line-for-line.

A random sampler and clock generator (a port of Mutable Instruments Marbles) with two halves driven by one master clock. The T section makes random GATES (two outputs, t1/t2) whose character is set by a model — coin-toss, clusters, drum-like, independent, three-state, or Markov — plus bias and jitter. The X section makes three random CONTROL VOLTAGES (x1/x2/x3) whose Spread sets how wide they wander, Bias sets their average, Steps adds lag/portamento, and a Scale quantizes them to musical notes. The killer feature is Déjà Vu: turn it up and the otherwise-random stream LOCKS into a repeating loop (length set per section), so you can dial smoothly from pure chance to a fixed pattern and anywhere in between. Every control also has a dedicated CV input so the randomness itself can be modulated.

the faceplate

11 inputs · 6 outputs · 13 params

about this module

Hover a control, or open the patch panel and hover a jack.

inputs

id	cable	what it does
`rate_cv`	cv	CV that modulates the master clock Rate (in semitones, summed with the knob) — speeds up or slows down both the T and X sections together. control voltage (CV); modulates rate (additive offset — ±1 CV sweeps the full range, centered on the knob)
`tmodel_cv`	cv	Discrete CV that modulates the T-section Model select, stepping between COIN / CLUSTERS / DRUMS / INDEP / 3-STATE / MARKOV. control voltage (CV); modulates t_model (integer buckets — CV selects a discrete step)
`tbias_cv`	cv	CV that modulates the T-section Bias (0..1, summed with the knob) — skews the gate distribution sparser or denser. control voltage (CV); modulates t_bias (additive offset — ±1 CV sweeps the full range, centered on the knob)
`tjitter_cv`	cv	CV that modulates the T-section Jitter (0..1) — adds or removes timing humanization on the random gates. control voltage (CV); modulates t_jitter (additive offset — ±1 CV sweeps the full range, centered on the knob)
`dejavu_cv`	cv	CV that modulates the T-section Déjà Vu (0..1) — sweeps the gate stream from fully random toward a locked, repeating loop. control voltage (CV); modulates deja_vu (additive offset — ±1 CV sweeps the full range, centered on the knob)
`length_cv`	cv	CV that modulates the T loop Length (1..16 steps) used when Déjà Vu locks the gate pattern. control voltage (CV); modulates length (additive offset — ±1 CV sweeps the full range, centered on the knob)
`spread_cv`	cv	CV that modulates the X-section Spread (0..1) — widens or narrows how far the three random voltages wander from the mean. control voltage (CV); modulates spread (additive offset — ±1 CV sweeps the full range, centered on the knob)
`xbias_cv`	cv	CV that modulates the X-section Bias (0..1) — shifts the average level of the three random voltages. control voltage (CV); modulates x_bias (additive offset — ±1 CV sweeps the full range, centered on the knob)
`steps_cv`	cv	CV that modulates the X-section Steps (0..1) — adds lag/portamento so the voltages glide between values instead of jumping. control voltage (CV); modulates steps (additive offset — ±1 CV sweeps the full range, centered on the knob)
`xdejavu_cv`	cv	CV that modulates the X-section Déjà Vu (0..1) — sweeps the voltage stream from random toward a locked loop. control voltage (CV); modulates x_deja_vu (additive offset — ±1 CV sweeps the full range, centered on the knob)
`scale_cv`	cv	Discrete CV that modulates the X-section quantizer Scale select (C major, C minor, pentatonic, Pelog, Raag Bhairav, Raag Shri). control voltage (CV); modulates scale (integer buckets — CV selects a discrete step)

outputs

id	cable	what it does
`t1`	gate	First random gate from the T section, firing per the selected model's logic, bias and jitter. Patch into a drum/envelope trigger. gate / trigger
`t2`	gate	Second random gate from the T section — complementary or independent of t1 depending on the model. The two together build call-and-response rhythms. gate / trigger
`x1`	cv	First quantized random control voltage from the X section, shaped by Spread/Bias/Steps and snapped to the chosen Scale. Patch into a pitch input. control voltage (CV)
`x2`	cv	Second random control voltage, decorrelated from x1 — a different but related stream for a second voice or parameter. control voltage (CV)
`x3`	cv	Third random control voltage, decorrelated from x1 and x2 — a third independent stream. control voltage (CV)
`clk`	gate	The master clock output that paces both sections — patch it out to clock other modules in time with Marbles. gate / trigger

params

id	label	range	default	curve
`rate`	Rate	-60..60st	0	linear
`t_model`	T Model	0..?	0	discrete
`t_bias`	T Bias	0..1	0.5	linear
`t_jitter`	T Jitter	0..1	0	linear
`deja_vu`	Déjà Vu	0..1	0	linear
`length`	Length	1..16	8	discrete
`pw_mean`	PWidth	0..1	0.5	linear
`spread`	Spread	0..1	0.5	linear
`x_bias`	X Bias	0..1	0.5	linear
`steps`	Steps	0..1	0.5	linear
`x_deja_vu`	X Déjà Vu	0..1	0	linear
`x_length`	X Length	1..16	8	discrete
`scale`	Scale	0..?	0	discrete

controls

control	what it does
Déjà Vu	The T-section randomness lock (0..1): 0 is fully random gates, 1 repeats a fixed loop of Length steps, and in between it occasionally re-rolls — the heart of Marbles' 'controlled chance'.
Length	How many steps long the T-section loop is (1..16) when Déjà Vu locks the gate pattern.
PWidth	The average pulse width of the T-section gates (0..1) — how wide each gate stays high relative to the clock.
Rate	Master clock rate in semitones (-60..+60); sets the tempo that drives both the T gates and the X voltages, and the rate of the clk output.
Scale	The quantizer scale the X voltages snap to: C major, C minor, pentatonic, Pelog, Raag Bhairav, or Raag Shri (the card's scale button cycles these).
Spread	How far the three X voltages wander from the mean (0..1): low is tight around the center, high explores the full range.
Steps	Lag/portamento on the X voltages (0..1): 0 jumps instantly between values, higher values glide smoothly between them.
T Bias	Skews the T gates sparser or denser (0..1) — low values fire rarely, high values fire often, 0.5 is balanced.
T Jitter	Adds timing humanization to the T gates (0..1): 0 is metronomic, higher values loosen the placement.
T Model	Picks the T-section gate model: COIN (independent coin tosses), CLUSTERS (bursts), DRUMS (drum-pattern-like), INDEP (two independent streams), 3-STATE, or MARKOV (state-machine sequences). The card's T-model button cycles these.
X Bias	The average level the three X voltages center on (0..1) — shifts the whole random spread up or down.
X Déjà Vu	The X-section randomness lock (0..1): like Déjà Vu but for the three control voltages — sweeps from random to a repeating loop.
X Length	How many steps long the X-section loop is (1..16) when X Déjà Vu locks the voltage pattern.

source

marbles.ts on GitHub.