User Guide

Quick Start

Get up and running with Lattice in five steps:

1. Load Lattice as an audio effect on a track with audio input
2. Select a factory preset from the dropdown (try one from "Starting Points" to begin)
3. Send audio through the plugin and adjust Mix to blend dry/wet
4. Adjust Feedback and Damping to taste
5. Explore different node delay times and filter settings

Audio Effect Usage

Lattice is an audio effect that requires input signal. Insert it on a track after an audio source (instrument, audio clip, or another effect). The input feeds into the delay network and emerges transformed. Use Mix at 50% for parallel processing or 100% for full wet signal.

MIDI-Triggered Exciter

While Lattice requires audio input to function, it also accepts MIDI to trigger the built-in Exciter. To use this feature:

1. Insert Lattice on an audio track (it still needs audio routing even if you're not using external audio)
2. Route MIDI to the track
3. Enable the Exciter section and select a sound source
4. Send MIDI notes to trigger sounds into the network
5. Set Mix to 100% if using only the Exciter (no external audio)

This allows Lattice to generate its own sounds while still functioning as an effect that can process external audio simultaneously.

Signal Flow

Audio enters the feedback network where it recirculates between interconnected delay nodes. Each node processes the signal through delay, filter, and drive stages before passing it to other nodes.

Input ──┬──────────────────────────────────────────┬── Output
        │                                          │
        ▼                                          ▲
  ┌───────────┐     ┌──────────────────┐     ┌─────────┐
  │  Exciter  │────▶│  Feedback Network │────▶│ Limiter │
  │  Section  │     │                  │     │  + Mix  │
  └───────────┘     │  ┌────┐  ┌────┐  │     └─────────┘
                    │  │Node│◄─│Node│  │
                    │  └────┘  └────┘  │
                    │     ╲    ╱       │
                    │  ┌────┐  ┌────┐  │
                    │  │Node│◄─│Node│  │
                    │  └────┘  └────┘  │
                    └──────────────────┘

Each processing node contains:

• Interpolated delay line — up to 10 seconds
• Multi-mode resonant filter — LP/HP/BP/Notch/Off
• Drive/saturation stage — Soft/Hard/Fold/Bit

Nodes are connected in a full mesh topology where every node can feed into every other node, creating complex recirculating patterns.

Global Controls

These parameters affect the entire network behavior.

Mix (0-100%)

Blends between the dry input signal and the wet processed signal. At 100% only the network output is heard.

Output Gain (-24 to +6 dB)

Master output level after the mix stage.

Global Feedback (0-150%)

Scales all connections between nodes. Higher values create longer decay times and more complex interactions. Values above 100% can cause intentional runaway feedback (use with the safety limiter engaged).

Damping (0-100%)

Reduces the overall feedback amount. Useful for taming wild presets or creating gradual decay. Acts as a multiplier on the effective feedback: at 50% damping, feedback is halved.

Stereo Spread (0-100%)

Distributes nodes across the stereo field. At 0% all nodes are centered (mono). At 100% nodes are spread from hard left to hard right based on their index:

• 2 nodes: L, R
• 4 nodes: L, center-L, center-R, R
• 8 nodes: evenly distributed across the stereo image

Node Count (2-8)

Number of active processing nodes. More nodes create denser, more complex textures but use more CPU.

Exciter Section

The Exciter provides built-in sound sources for playing Lattice as an instrument without external audio input.

Source Types

Trigger Modes

• Trigger — Single shot per MIDI note-on. The exciter fires once and must be retriggered.
• Gate — Active while MIDI note is held. Oscillator plays continuously; noise and impulse repeat.
• Retrigger — Automatic re-triggering at a set rate while the note is held. Parameters:
  • Rate: Retrigger speed (0.1-20 Hz)

Common Controls

These controls apply to all exciter sources:

• Level (0-100%) — Output level of the exciter signal feeding into the network.
• Velocity (0-100%) — How much MIDI velocity affects the exciter output level.
  • At 0%: Velocity has no effect - all notes play at full level
  • At 100%: Output scales linearly with velocity - soft notes are quiet, hard notes are loud
  • Useful for expressive playing and dynamics
• Attack (0-500 ms) — Adds a fade-in to the exciter signal, softening the initial transient.
  • At 0 ms: Instant attack (default behavior)
  • Higher values create smoother, more pad-like sounds
  • Works with all source types
• Spread (0-100%) — Controls how the exciter signal is distributed across network nodes.
  • At 0%: Exciter only feeds into Node 1 - creates a more focused, directional sound
  • At 100%: Exciter feeds equally into all active nodes - creates a wider, more diffuse sound
  • In between: Gradual interpolation from focused to spread
• Pitch (Toggle) — When enabled, incoming MIDI notes control the exciter pitch.
  • Only available for Impulse and Oscillator sources (grayed out for Noise)
  • Maps MIDI note number to frequency (A4 = 440 Hz standard tuning)
  • Allows playing Lattice melodically like a synthesizer
  • The Frequency/Fine knobs still set the base frequency when Pitch is off

Input Indicator

The green pulsing circle next to the Exciter controls shows signal activity:

• Steady glow — Signal is present
• Bright flash — MIDI note-on received (triggers exciter)
• Dim — No signal

Modulation Section

The Modulation section provides an LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillator) for animating parameters over time.

Rate (0.01-50 Hz)

LFO speed in Hz. Lower values create slow sweeps; higher values create vibrato-like effects.

Sync

When enabled, LFO rate locks to host tempo using note divisions instead of Hz.

Note Division (tempo sync mode)

When Sync is enabled, select the rhythmic value for LFO cycle length:

• 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32
• Triplet variants (1/4T, 1/8T, etc.)
• Dotted variants (1/4., 1/8., etc.)

Shape

LFO waveform shape:

• Sine — Smooth, natural movement
• Triangle — Linear ramps up and down
• Saw — Linear ramp up, instant reset (good for rhythmic effects)
• Square — Instant transitions between high and low
• S&H — Sample & Hold - random stepped values

Target

Which parameter the LFO modulates:

• Delay Times — Modulates all node delay times (±20% at full depth). Creates pitch wobble and chorus effects.
• Filter Cutoffs — Modulates all node filter cutoff frequencies (±2 octaves at full depth). Creates filter sweeps.
• Feedback — Modulates the global feedback amount (±30% at full depth). Creates swelling/breathing effects.
• Exciter Decay — Modulates the exciter decay time. Creates evolving attack/sustain characteristics.

Depth (0-100%)

How much the LFO affects the target parameter. At 0% there is no modulation; at 100% the full modulation range is applied.

LFO Waveform Display

The large animated waveform below the controls shows:

• The current waveform shape
• A vertical line indicating the current LFO phase
• Visual representation of depth (waveform amplitude)

Node Modulation Matrix

Below the waveform, per-node bars show modulation depth distribution:

• Each bar represents a node's effective modulation depth
• Click a node bar to toggle its mute (muted nodes are not modulated)
• The matrix header shows the current modulation target

Node Parameters

Each node has its own set of parameters. Click a node tab to select it for editing. Double-click to toggle mute.

Node Linking (Drag-to-Link)

Nodes can be linked together so that parameter changes on one node affect all linked nodes proportionally.

How to Link Nodes:

1. Click and drag from one node tab to another
2. A curved connection line appears while dragging
3. Release over the target node to create a link
4. Both nodes become "linked" (indicated by amber/gold highlighting)

Linked Behavior:

• When you adjust the delay time on any linked node, all other linked nodes adjust proportionally
• When you adjust the filter frequency on any linked node, all other linked nodes follow
• Connections are shown as organic curved lines with animated dots flowing along them
• Multiple separate connection pairs can be created (e.g., link 1↔3 and 2↔4 as independent pairs)

Clearing Links:

Click the "×" button next to the node tabs to clear all links

This feature is useful for:

• Creating musical intervals that stay in proportion
• Adjusting multiple delays at once for global tempo changes
• Maintaining filter relationships across the network

Delay

• Delay Time (0.1 ms - 10000 ms) — The delay time of this node. Shorter times create pitched resonances; longer times create rhythmic echoes.
• Tempo Sync — When enabled, delay time locks to host tempo using note divisions.
• Note Division — When tempo sync is enabled, select the rhythmic value: Whole, Half, Quarter, Eighth, Sixteenth, Thirty-second, plus Triplet and Dotted variants.

Filter

• Type — Filter mode for this node:
  • LowPass: Attenuates high frequencies (warm, dark)
  • HighPass: Attenuates low frequencies (thin, bright)
  • BandPass: Passes only frequencies around the cutoff (focused, resonant)
  • Notch: Removes frequencies around the cutoff (hollow, phasey)
  • Off: Bypass filter (full frequency range)
• Frequency (20 Hz - 20 kHz) — Filter cutoff frequency.
• Resonance (0-100%) — Emphasis at the cutoff frequency. High values create self-oscillation.

Drive

• Type — Saturation/distortion character:
  • Soft: Gentle tanh saturation (warm, musical)
  • Hard: Hard clipping (aggressive, digital)
  • Fold: Wavefolding (complex harmonics, synth-like)
  • Bit: Bit crushing (lo-fi, digital degradation)
• Amount (0-100%) — Intensity of the drive effect.

Output

• Gain (-inf to +6 dB) — Output level of this node.
• Invert — Inverts the polarity of this node's output. Creates phase cancellation effects when combined with non-inverted nodes.
• Mute — Silences this node's output while maintaining its place in the network timing. Double-click the node tab to toggle. Useful for rhythmic variations.

Freeze Modes

Freeze sustains the current network state indefinitely without decay.

How Freeze Works

Freeze is controlled by two separate controls:

1. Freeze Mode Dropdown (in the Freeze section) — Selects which freeze type to use (Full, With Input, or Partial). Changing this setting does not enable freeze—it only pre-selects the mode that will be used when freeze is activated.
2. Freeze Button (in the footer bar) — Toggles freeze on/off. When clicked:
   • If freeze is off: Enables freeze using the currently selected mode
   • If freeze is on: Disables freeze (returns to normal operation)

This design lets you choose your preferred freeze behavior in advance, then quickly toggle it on/off during performance without accidentally changing the mode.

Freeze Types

Freeze Indicator

When freeze is active:

• The visualization header changes to <<< FROZEN >>> with a pulsing phosphor glow effect
• The footer button shows "FRZ" as active

Freeze transitions smoothly over ~100ms to avoid clicks.

Visualization Panel

The right panel displays real-time network activity in an ASCII terminal aesthetic.

Network Visualization (Nodes Tab)

The center of the Nodes section displays an interactive network topology view:

Node Circles

Each active node appears as a circle with its number:

• Brightness varies with signal activity (dim when quiet, bright when active)
• Click a node to select it for parameter editing
• Double-click a node to toggle mute
• Muted nodes display an "X" and appear dimmed

Connection Lines

Yellow/amber bezier curves connect linked nodes:

• Animated dots flow along connections showing signal direction
• Connection brightness reflects the global feedback level
• Organic curved paths create a cable-like appearance

Drag-to-Link

Create new connections by dragging between nodes:

• Click and hold on any node, then drag to another node
• A preview line follows your cursor while dragging
• Release over a target node to establish the link
• Linked nodes share proportional parameter changes (delay, filter)

Tooltips

Hover over nodes for contextual information:

• Linked nodes show "Drag to link · Double-click to mute"
• Unlinked nodes show connection instructions

Topology Display (Right Panel)

Shows the network structure with nodes represented as boxes:

• [1] to [8]: Active nodes with activity level
• [X]: Muted node
• Lines between nodes show connections

Level Meters

Vertical meters show signal levels with phosphor bloom effect at high intensities:

• E: Exciter output level
• 1-8: Per-node output levels
• L/R: Stereo output levels

Meters transition from green to bright yellow/white when signals are hot, mimicking CRT phosphor glow.

Feedback Bar

Horizontal bar showing current global feedback amount.

Info Panel

Click the header (with « » guillemets) to cycle through views:

• DELAY TIMES: Shows delay time of each node (ms or tempo-synced division)
• FILTERS: Shows filter type and cutoff frequency per node
• DRIVE: Shows drive type (Sft/Hrd/Fld/Bit) and amount per node, or "Off" if disabled
• PAN: ASCII stereo field showing node positions from L to R based on spread setting

Status Line

Displays:

• N: Number of active nodes
• FB: Feedback percentage
• DMP: Damping percentage
• Tempo (when available from host)

Footer Controls

The footer bar at the bottom of the plugin contains:

Pattern Selector

Click "Pattern: [name] ▮" to open a drop-up menu with delay time presets:

• Mesh: Ascending delay times (100, 150, 200, 250... ms)
• Ring: Exponential doubling (50, 100, 200, 400... ms)
• Diffusion: Prime number spacing (47, 73, 113, 167... ms) - reverb-like
• PingPong: Alternating short/long delays for stereo bounce
• Spiral: Golden ratio spacing (~1.618x) for organic feel
• Cluster: Very short delays (5-30 ms) for metallic textures

Patterns are non-destructive: they only change delay times and disable tempo sync, leaving all other node parameters (filter, drive, gain, etc.) untouched.

Version

Plugin version number displayed on the right.

Presets

Browsing Presets

The preset dropdown organizes sounds into collapsible categories. Click any category header to expand or collapse it—this helps you navigate the library without endless scrolling.

Hover over any preset name to see a brief description of what it does.

Factory Preset Categories

User Presets

Lattice allows you to save and load your own custom presets.

Saving a Preset:

1. Click + Save Preset... at the top of the preset dropdown
2. Enter a name for your preset
3. Optionally add notes/description
4. Click Save

Loading a Preset:

User presets appear at the top of the dropdown under the green "User" section. Click any user preset to load it.

Deleting a Preset:

• Right-click on any user preset in the dropdown
• Select Delete from the context menu

Preset Storage Location:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Aftertone and Signal/Lattice/Presets/
• Windows: %APPDATA%/Aftertone and Signal/Lattice/Presets/
• Linux: ~/.config/aftertone-and-signal/lattice/presets/

Presets are saved as JSON files, making them easy to share or back up.

MIDI Control

Lattice responds to MIDI note messages:

Note On

• Triggers the exciter (if enabled)
• Exciter source fires according to its trigger mode
• Note velocity affects exciter level (controlled by the Velocity parameter)
• Note pitch controls exciter frequency when Pitch tracking is enabled

Note Off

• Releases the exciter gate
• In Gate mode: oscillator stops, noise/impulse stops repeating
• In Trigger mode: no effect (sound already complete)
• In Retrigger mode: stops automatic re-triggering

Automation & Hardware Control

All Lattice parameters are exposed to your DAW for automation and MIDI mapping. This includes global controls, per-node parameters (delay, filter, drive, mute), exciter settings, and modulation.

Parameter Automation

Draw automation curves or record parameter movements directly in your DAW's automation lanes. Every knob, toggle, and selector in Lattice can be automated.

Parameters like Node Mute and Freeze are boolean values. For cleaner automation, set your DAW's automation lane to stepped mode rather than interpolated. In Bitwig, right-click the automation lane header and select the stepped option.

MIDI Controller Mapping

Use your DAW's MIDI learn feature to map hardware controllers to Lattice parameters. The process varies by DAW.

Suggested Mappings

The most useful parameters for hardware control are Mix, Feedback, Damping, and Freeze for global control. For per-node manipulation, the Node Mutes work well on drum pads for rhythmic variations, while Node Delay Times on rotary encoders allow live pitch changes. Assigning Freeze to a sustain pedal enables hands-free operation during performance.

Tips & Techniques

Parameter Reference

Global Parameters

Freeze Parameters

Exciter Parameters

Modulation Parameters

Node Parameters (per node)

Standalone Mode

Lattice can also run as a standalone application outside of a DAW. This is useful for:

• Sound design sessions: Experiment with patches without loading a full DAW
• Screen recording: The standalone window behaves normally (won't hide when switching apps)
• Demos and presentations: Show Lattice without DAW complexity
• Quick testing: Faster iteration during development

Running Standalone

The standalone executable is located at target/release/lattice after building with the standalone feature. Run it from the command line:

./lattice           # Auto-selects audio device
./lattice --help    # Show all available options

Standalone Features

• Automatic audio device selection (or specify via command line flags)
• MIDI input from connected devices
• Same GUI and DSP as the plugin version
• Normal window behavior on macOS (won't hide when DAW loses focus)

Note: Tempo sync features require a host with tempo information. In standalone mode, tempo-synced delays and LFO will use their free-running values instead.

Lattice v0.1.0
Aftertone & Signal
aftertone.co