We say...
It's always great to see a brand pushing Mutable Instruments' open-source designs into new territories rather than just doing a straight clone, and this has to be the ultimate version of the classic Plaits macro-oscillator. The Grayscale Helix boasts a host of new features - including a quantiser and an all-new Lo-Fi Oscillator algorithm, making it a superbly powerful digital voice.
Manufacturer's description
Helix represents the evolution of Mutable's Plaits macro oscillator. With new features such as pitch quantization, parameter randomization, and an internal modulation bus, Helix provides a self-contained synth voice for your Eurorack modular system in an efficient 18hp package.
All 24 algorithms from the final Plaits v1.2 firmware are included, and a new algorithm, the Lo-Fi Oscillator, combines a Buchla-inspired waveshaper with bit rate and sample rate reduction, adding intentional aliasing effects and harmonic distortion. The LED matrix displays all 25 algorithms simultaneously, avoiding the need to switch banks.
The pitch quantizer provides 35 scales, covering both familiar musical territory and obscure microtonal experimentation. Parameter randomization allows all DSP parameters to be randomized whenever a trigger is received. The degree of randomization can be limited and biased for each individual parameter, providing results that range from subtle organic variations to glitchy digital chaos.
Dedicated knobs for the LPG/VCA level and envelope decay time open up new creative possibilities by providing direct access to these previously hidden parameters. The envelope time can be externally modulated and the envelope is now accessible as a modulation source through the new ENV (envelope) and EOD (end of decay) outputs.
The modulation bus, accessed through the CTRL input, allows the internal envelope to be replaced by an arbitrary external control signal. The external modulator is routed to all seven CV inputs simultaneously and may be independently shaped for each parameter using the dedicated attenuators. Because the ENV output remains accessible on the front panel, the internal envelope can still be cross-patched to one or more parameters.
- Width: 18HP
- Depth: 27mm
- Power: 70 mA +12V / 11 mA -12V / 0 mA 5V
How much is my shipping?
Shipping costs are calculated automatically at checkout. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll see the available shipping options and their prices. VAT at the applicable rate for your country will also be displayed at checkout.
European Union orders:
- Standard shipping is free on orders over €100. Express shipping is available on orders over €100, and free on orders over €400.
Poland orders:
- Standard shipping is free on orders over 250 PLN. Express shipping is free on orders over 500 PLN.
What about local taxes?
By default prices on the site include sales tax at 20%. The precise sales tax rate for your country will be calculated at checkout.
Do you ship to my country?
We ship to all EU member states from our warehouse in Warsaw, Poland. Add an item to your cart and enter your country and postcode to see the available shipping options and prices for your location. If you have any questions about shipping to your country, drop us an email at info@signalsounds.eu and we'll be happy to help.
Shipping methods
All EU orders are shipped via UPS. We offer two service levels:
- UPS Standard – our default shipping option. Delivery times vary by country (see estimated delivery times below).
- UPS Express Saver – next business day delivery to most EU destinations.
Each product page shows the estimated delivery time for your location, so you'll always know what to expect before you order.
Estimated delivery times (Standard shipping)
The times below are estimates in working days from dispatch, based on UPS Standard service. Express Saver delivers by the next business day to most destinations.
| Country | Estimated delivery (working days) |
|---|---|
| Austria | 2–3 |
| Belgium | 2 |
| Bulgaria | 4–5 |
| Croatia | 2–4 |
| Cyprus | 10 |
| Czechia | 2–3 |
| Denmark | 3 |
| Estonia | 2–3 |
| Finland | 3–5 |
| France | 2–4 |
| Germany | 2 |
| Greece | 5–7 |
| Hungary | 2–3 |
| Ireland | 4–6 |
| Italy | 3–5 |
| Latvia | 2–3 |
| Lithuania | 1–2 |
| Luxembourg | 2 |
| Malta | 5–7 |
| Netherlands | 2 |
| Poland | 1–2 |
| Portugal | 4–5 |
| Romania | 3–4 |
| Slovakia | 2–3 |
| Slovenia | 2–3 |
| Spain | 4 |
| Sweden | 3–5 |
These times are estimates and are not guaranteed. Delivery may occasionally take a little longer due to customs processing, local conditions, or carrier delays.
Dispatch times
Orders placed before 15:00 CET (Central European Time) on a working day are normally dispatched the same day. Orders placed after 15:00 CET, or on weekends and public holidays, will be dispatched on the next working day.
If you have an urgent order, please email us at info@signalsounds.eu before placing your order and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
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 at info@signalsounds.eu if you have questions.
Product Overview
We say...
It's always great to see a brand pushing Mutable Instruments' open-source designs into new territories rather than just doing a straight clone, and this has to be the ultimate version of the classic Plaits macro-oscillator. The Grayscale Helix boasts a host of new features - including a quantiser and an all-new Lo-Fi Oscillator algorithm, making it a superbly powerful digital voice.
Manufacturer's description
Helix represents the evolution of Mutable's Plaits macro oscillator. With new features such as pitch quantization, parameter randomization, and an internal modulation bus, Helix provides a self-contained synth voice for your Eurorack modular system in an efficient 18hp package.
All 24 algorithms from the final Plaits v1.2 firmware are included, and a new algorithm, the Lo-Fi Oscillator, combines a Buchla-inspired waveshaper with bit rate and sample rate reduction, adding intentional aliasing effects and harmonic distortion. The LED matrix displays all 25 algorithms simultaneously, avoiding the need to switch banks.
The pitch quantizer provides 35 scales, covering both familiar musical territory and obscure microtonal experimentation. Parameter randomization allows all DSP parameters to be randomized whenever a trigger is received. The degree of randomization can be limited and biased for each individual parameter, providing results that range from subtle organic variations to glitchy digital chaos.
Dedicated knobs for the LPG/VCA level and envelope decay time open up new creative possibilities by providing direct access to these previously hidden parameters. The envelope time can be externally modulated and the envelope is now accessible as a modulation source through the new ENV (envelope) and EOD (end of decay) outputs.
The modulation bus, accessed through the CTRL input, allows the internal envelope to be replaced by an arbitrary external control signal. The external modulator is routed to all seven CV inputs simultaneously and may be independently shaped for each parameter using the dedicated attenuators. Because the ENV output remains accessible on the front panel, the internal envelope can still be cross-patched to one or more parameters.
Technical Specs
Shipping Details
How much is my shipping?
Shipping costs are calculated automatically at checkout. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll see the available shipping options and their prices. VAT at the applicable rate for your country will also be displayed at checkout.
European Union orders:
- Standard shipping is free on orders over €100. Express shipping is available on orders over €100, and free on orders over €400.
Poland orders:
- Standard shipping is free on orders over 250 PLN. Express shipping is free on orders over 500 PLN.
What about local taxes?
By default prices on the site include sales tax at 20%. The precise sales tax rate for your country will be calculated at checkout.
Do you ship to my country?
We ship to all EU member states from our warehouse in Warsaw, Poland. Add an item to your cart and enter your country and postcode to see the available shipping options and prices for your location. If you have any questions about shipping to your country, drop us an email at info@signalsounds.eu and we'll be happy to help.
Shipping methods
All EU orders are shipped via UPS. We offer two service levels:
- UPS Standard – our default shipping option. Delivery times vary by country (see estimated delivery times below).
- UPS Express Saver – next business day delivery to most EU destinations.
Each product page shows the estimated delivery time for your location, so you'll always know what to expect before you order.
Estimated delivery times (Standard shipping)
The times below are estimates in working days from dispatch, based on UPS Standard service. Express Saver delivers by the next business day to most destinations.
| Country | Estimated delivery (working days) |
|---|---|
| Austria | 2–3 |
| Belgium | 2 |
| Bulgaria | 4–5 |
| Croatia | 2–4 |
| Cyprus | 10 |
| Czechia | 2–3 |
| Denmark | 3 |
| Estonia | 2–3 |
| Finland | 3–5 |
| France | 2–4 |
| Germany | 2 |
| Greece | 5–7 |
| Hungary | 2–3 |
| Ireland | 4–6 |
| Italy | 3–5 |
| Latvia | 2–3 |
| Lithuania | 1–2 |
| Luxembourg | 2 |
| Malta | 5–7 |
| Netherlands | 2 |
| Poland | 1–2 |
| Portugal | 4–5 |
| Romania | 3–4 |
| Slovakia | 2–3 |
| Slovenia | 2–3 |
| Spain | 4 |
| Sweden | 3–5 |
These times are estimates and are not guaranteed. Delivery may occasionally take a little longer due to customs processing, local conditions, or carrier delays.
Dispatch times
Orders placed before 15:00 CET (Central European Time) on a working day are normally dispatched the same day. Orders placed after 15:00 CET, or on weekends and public holidays, will be dispatched on the next working day.
If you have an urgent order, please email us at info@signalsounds.eu before placing your order and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
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 at info@signalsounds.eu if you have questions.
