We say...
A pre-owned Mutable Instruments Rings in excellent condition. It includes all original packaging and accessories.
All pre-owned items are tested and supplied with a 90-day warranty. Our usual 14-day returns policy applies if you change your mind.
Manufacturer's description
Features
Three resonator models
- Modal resonator, as used in Elements.
- Sympathetic strings, modelled by a network of comb filters.
- String with non-linearity/dispersion (comb filter with multimode filter and non-linearities in the loop).
All resonator models can be used polyphonically, with 1, 2 or 4 polyphony voices.
Voltage-controlled resonator
Each model provides a unified set of parameters, all voltage controlled, with an attenuverter:
- Structure. With the modal and non-linear string models, controls the inharmonicity of the spectrum (which directly impacts the perceived "material"). With the sympathetic strings model, controls the intervals between strings.
- Brightness. Specifies the brightness and richness of the spectrum.
- Damping. Controls the damping rate of the sound, from 100ms to 10s.
- Position. Specifies at which point the structure is excited.
Easy to patch
- Audio input accepting modular level signals, up to 16 Vpp.
- Two audio outputs, either splitting odd/even partials in monophonic mode, or even/odd notes in polyphonic mode.
- Voltage change detector on the V/O input, allocating a new polyphony voice each time a different note is played.
- Internal exciter triggered by the STRUM input (filtered pulse or noise burst), allowing the module to be used without an external excitation source.
Specifications
- Trigger input: 100k impedance, 0.6V threshold.
- CV inputs: 100k impedance, +/- 8V, 12-bit 2kHz.
- Audio I/O: 16-bit, 48kHz.
- Internal processing: 32-bit floating point.
Design philosophy notes: Rings vs Elements
Elements = Exciter + Resonator + Reverb.
Rings = just the resonator.
Rings uses the same resonator code as Elements, with two additions:
- The ability to split the 60 filters into 2x30 or 4x15 to do polyphony.
- Two other string synthesis models which are not based on band-pass filters, but on comb filters - and which sound totally different from what Elements is doing.
All this is possible on Rings because 40% of the CPU is freed by the lack of exciter or reverb. This means that Rings will rely on external modules if you really want a large sound palette. For example, if you want to generate bowed string sounds, or blown tube sounds, you’ll need an external VCA, envelope generator, and colored noise source and patch them into Rings - while Elements has all the tools onboard to do this. Elements also benefits from the coupling of the exciter and resonator parameters - some knobs in Elements achieve their effect by controlling at the same time parameters of the exciter, of the resonator, and the mixing of the raw exciter and resonator signal.
So let’s take a comparison you might understand better: Elements would be a complex oscillator + filter, tuned to work very well with each other. Rings would be a multimode filter - it does more but in a narrower domain and your success rate depends on what you decide to throw at it.
During the design of Elements I thought a lot about breaking it into two modules (exciter and resonator), but I did not do it. The reason was that while the resonator would have worked great with other existing modules, the exciter module itself would have been quite useless since the only proper resonator available would have been its counterpart.
Also, Elements implements some coupling between the two (the BOW section of Elements is a combination of a specific excitation signal and a feedback path in the resonator; the BLOW knob acts on both the excitation signal and the level of a secondary resonator that runs in parallel to the modal one).
My favorite choice of exciters for Rings: field recordings from a Radio Music, Ears, Plaits, Beads with a noisy thing in its buffer.
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:30 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
Product Overview
We say...
A pre-owned Mutable Instruments Rings in excellent condition. It includes all original packaging and accessories.
All pre-owned items are tested and supplied with a 90-day warranty. Our usual 14-day returns policy applies if you change your mind.
Manufacturer's description
Features
Three resonator models
- Modal resonator, as used in Elements.
- Sympathetic strings, modelled by a network of comb filters.
- String with non-linearity/dispersion (comb filter with multimode filter and non-linearities in the loop).
All resonator models can be used polyphonically, with 1, 2 or 4 polyphony voices.
Voltage-controlled resonator
Each model provides a unified set of parameters, all voltage controlled, with an attenuverter:
- Structure. With the modal and non-linear string models, controls the inharmonicity of the spectrum (which directly impacts the perceived "material"). With the sympathetic strings model, controls the intervals between strings.
- Brightness. Specifies the brightness and richness of the spectrum.
- Damping. Controls the damping rate of the sound, from 100ms to 10s.
- Position. Specifies at which point the structure is excited.
Easy to patch
- Audio input accepting modular level signals, up to 16 Vpp.
- Two audio outputs, either splitting odd/even partials in monophonic mode, or even/odd notes in polyphonic mode.
- Voltage change detector on the V/O input, allocating a new polyphony voice each time a different note is played.
- Internal exciter triggered by the STRUM input (filtered pulse or noise burst), allowing the module to be used without an external excitation source.
Specifications
- Trigger input: 100k impedance, 0.6V threshold.
- CV inputs: 100k impedance, +/- 8V, 12-bit 2kHz.
- Audio I/O: 16-bit, 48kHz.
- Internal processing: 32-bit floating point.
Design philosophy notes: Rings vs Elements
Elements = Exciter + Resonator + Reverb.
Rings = just the resonator.
Rings uses the same resonator code as Elements, with two additions:
- The ability to split the 60 filters into 2x30 or 4x15 to do polyphony.
- Two other string synthesis models which are not based on band-pass filters, but on comb filters - and which sound totally different from what Elements is doing.
All this is possible on Rings because 40% of the CPU is freed by the lack of exciter or reverb. This means that Rings will rely on external modules if you really want a large sound palette. For example, if you want to generate bowed string sounds, or blown tube sounds, you’ll need an external VCA, envelope generator, and colored noise source and patch them into Rings - while Elements has all the tools onboard to do this. Elements also benefits from the coupling of the exciter and resonator parameters - some knobs in Elements achieve their effect by controlling at the same time parameters of the exciter, of the resonator, and the mixing of the raw exciter and resonator signal.
So let’s take a comparison you might understand better: Elements would be a complex oscillator + filter, tuned to work very well with each other. Rings would be a multimode filter - it does more but in a narrower domain and your success rate depends on what you decide to throw at it.
During the design of Elements I thought a lot about breaking it into two modules (exciter and resonator), but I did not do it. The reason was that while the resonator would have worked great with other existing modules, the exciter module itself would have been quite useless since the only proper resonator available would have been its counterpart.
Also, Elements implements some coupling between the two (the BOW section of Elements is a combination of a specific excitation signal and a feedback path in the resonator; the BLOW knob acts on both the excitation signal and the level of a secondary resonator that runs in parallel to the modal one).
My favorite choice of exciters for Rings: field recordings from a Radio Music, Ears, Plaits, Beads with a noisy thing in its buffer.
Technical Specs
Shipping Details
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:30 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
