draft: false
Name: MLRws
short-description: "A remix of monome's classic MLR sample cutting platform (grid controller encouraged but optional). Diagrams here are for Gridless mode."
Language: C++ (Pico SDK + ComputerCard)
Creator: Dune Desormeaux
Version: 1.1.5
Status: Released
License: GPL-3.0
date-created: 2026-05-26
date-updated: 2026-07-02
Editor: https://dessertplanet.github.io/MLRws-web/
demo-link: https://youtu.be/fhHJykM1GWk

tags:
  - sampler
  - looper
  - performance
  - usb-host
  - grid-controller

summary: |
  MLRws is a six-track sample-cutting instrument with grid and gridless workflows. It supports on-card
  sample storage, recording/playback, and USB grid interaction. In gridless mode, Main/X/Y plus switch
  manage track selection, level/speed/start-position/radiate behavior, while pulse/CV I/O provides
  reset/clocking and CV envelope/pitch triggers.

panel:
  inputs:
    - id: AudioIn1
      name: Audio Input 1
      description: Recording source / modulation source depending on mode
    - id: AudioIn2
      name: Audio Input 2
      description: Secondary recording source / speed modulation depending on mode
    - id: CVIn1
      name: X Modulation CV
      description: Modulates X-layer behavior in gridless control paths
    - id: CVIn2
      name: Y Modulation CV
      description: Modulates Y-layer behavior in gridless control paths
    - id: PulseIn1
      name: Reset / Cut Trigger
      description: Rising edge triggers reset/cut actions in gridless mode
    - id: PulseIn2
      name: Clock / Advance Trigger
      description: Rising edge advances track/turing clock actions in gridless mode
  outputs:
    - id: AudioOut1
      name: Stereo Left Mix
      description: Main mixed output bus L
    - id: AudioOut2
      name: Stereo Right Mix
      description: Main mixed output bus R
    # certainty: low — CV/pulse output role details inferred from main.cpp
    - id: CVOut1
      name: Cut/Turing Pitch CV
      description: Emits quantized note CV tied to cut or turing events
    - id: CVOut2
      name: ASR Envelope CV
      description: Attack/decay CV envelope output
    - id: PulseOut1
      name: Cut/Wrap Trigger
      description: Trigger pulse on cut/wrap events
    - id: PulseOut2
      name: Envelope-End Trigger
      description: Trigger pulse when CV envelope reaches end

controls:
  switch:
    up:
      name: Track Mode
      description: Locks the active track; knobs set that track's speed/direction, level slot, and start position
    middle:
      name: Global Mode
      description: Knobs set global params — track select / turing probability, playback gain, and radiate amount
    down:
      name: Reset / Record Arm
      description: Tap resets the active track to its start position; hold two seconds to arm recording; Y sets CV2 envelope attack
  knobs:
    - when: { z: middle }
      main:
        name: Track Select / Turing Probability
        description: Selects active track in gridless mode and drives turing probability state
      x:
        name: Mix Gain
        description: Controls global playback gain layer
      y:
        name: Radiate
        description: Controls global radiate amount layer
    - when: { z: up }
      main:
        name: Selected Track Speed / Direction
        description: Sets selected track speed and direction around center
      x:
        name: Selected Track Level Slot
        description: Sets per-track volume slot
      y:
        name: Selected Track Start Position
        description: Sets per-track cut start column
    - when: { z: down }
      y:
        name: CV2 Envelope Attack
        description: Sets CV2 envelope attack while in down state
      main:
        name: Record-Hold / Reset Gesture
        description: Used for record/hold/reset gestures in gridless mode
      x:
        name: Input Gain
        description: Sets recording input gain for active source

host:
  usb:
    - name: Monome grid (USB host)
      role: controller
      description: Direct grid controller input when device is connected at power-on
    - name: Grid proxy (USB device workflow)
      role: controller
      description: Alternate grid workflow via external host/proxy bridge
    - name: MLRws Sample Manager
      role: editor
      description: External web app for encoding/uploading samples to card flash