Solstice User Guide

Solstice turns audio samples into explorable sound maps where each cell holds a spectral frame of your source material. Similar timbres cluster together naturally, forming a unique terrain for every sample. With completely smoothed frame transitions (no granular artifacts), you can freeze any moment or flow between different sonic regions. Click and drag or modulate movement to explore the sonic landscape directly, or play it like any instrument with your MIDI keyboard.

Get started in 60 seconds:

1. Load Solstice on an instrument track. Solstice interface should appear with the default preset loaded.

2. Click anywhere on the map. Sound should play, glowing cells showing active position.

3. Drag across the map while holding. You should hear smooth morphing between the different timbres represented by each cell.

4. Try a different preset. Click the preset name in the top left to open the preset library. You should see a new sample load, and the map updates with a different visual pattern.

5. Arm the instrument track in your DAW and play your MIDI keyboard. You should hear the corresponding pitches trigger while mouse position controls timbre.

Tip: Turn off click-to-play for MIDI keyboard-only control without mouse note triggers.

System Requirements

• MacOS 10.14+ or Windows 10+
• AU and VST3 compatible DAW (MacOS), or VST3 compatible DAW (Windows)
• Available disk space: 36Mb

Installation

Run the .pkg on Mac, or the .exe installer on Windows. Plugins and Factory Samples will install to standard system locations (see File Paths)

Activation

• You will need an internet connection on first launch to authentiate your license key, or to start the 30-day free trial.
• Your license works offline for one year after activation, and will need an internet connection to refresh

The map displays your sample as a visual landscape where similar timbres cluster together. Larger cells represent unique sounds (spectral outliers) within your sample, while denser areas bring together common timbres. Attacks and transients appear distant from sustained tones. Glowing cells indicate which frames are currently being synthesized.

Important: The X and Y axes don't represent time, pitch, or any linear parameter. Think of it as a unique topographical map where proximity indicates timbral similarity.

How It Works

Solstice analyses your sample by:

1. Dividing it into overlapping frames
2. Analysing frequency content of each frame
3. Positioning similarly sounding frames near each other, using clustering algorithms

Unlike traditional granular synthesis that's locked to timeline positions, this spatial clustering lets you smoothly blend between any similar timbres without harsh transitions or clicks. You can jump from any attack to any sustain, freeze any texture, or create impossible morphs between different parts of your sample.

Map navigation

Three modes control how the playhead behaves on the map. Each mode has its own color scheme.

Static Mode

Manual playhead control. The playhead position stays where you've placed it with your mouse.

• Spread (0,20): Controls frame blending — how many adjacent cells blend together. Low values (1-3) give precise but audible transitions, high values (15-20) create smooth, wide blending
• Random (0,1): Adds position variation for subtle texture

Best for precise sound selection and detailed exploration.

Path Mode

Automated movement along a drawn route. Drag any of the four path handles to reshape the path.

• Direction:
  • Forward (→): Start to end, then stop
  • Bounce (⟷): Forward then reverse
  • Loop (↻): Continuous circulation
• Speed (0,20 Hz - 1,1/16): Controls the travel speed along the path, in tempo divisions if sync
• Spread (0,20): same as Static mode
• Random (0,1): same as Static mode

Best for controlled evolution, rhythmic patterns, or tremolo effects depending on path shape and speed.

Drift Mode

Follows the sample timeline with organic variation. The Force parameter determines how closely the playhead follows the original timeline, as it gets lower it starts veering off and getting stuck.

• Force (0,1): Controls timeline adherence
  • 1.0 = Exact playback following original timeline
  • 0.5 = Partial movement—position creates organic jumps
  • 0 = Frozen texture, no movement energy
• Rate (-1,1): Playback speed and direction
  • 1.0 = Normal forward speed
  • 0 = Stopped
  • -1 = Full speed reverse
• Spread (0,20): same as Static mode
• Random (0,1): same as Static mode

The magic happens at Force values between 0.2-0.7, where the position begins to "orbit" around certain spectral frames, creating breathing, evolving textures.

Tip: Set Force to near 0 with high Release, then click different positions to layer frozen textures—excellent for textural layering.

Access via the parameters button .

Tip: Hold Shift while dragging to fine control parameters

ADSR Envelope

Standard amplitude envelope with Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release.

Filter

• Types: Lowpass, Bandpass, Highpass
• Freq: Cutoff frequency
• Resonance: Resonance amount

Reverb

• Size: Space dimensions
• Decay: Reverb tail length
• Tone: Brightness (< 0.5 = dark, > 0.5 = bright)

Capable of creating cascading drones. Self-oscillation occurs at high decay + high tone settings.

Tuning

• Octave: ±4 octave range
• Semitone: ±12 semitone adjustment

Play

Parameters of the selected mode

Solstice includes 100 categorized Factory Samples. Click on the sample name at the bottom between the arrows to open the Sample Browser. Here you can select samples from various Factory folders, or view a history of your own imported samples in the "Custom" folder.

Browser navigation:

• Select folder (left) then sample (right)
• Use arrows to preview other samples in current folder

Loading Samples

Loading your own samples:

There are two ways of loading your own samples:

• Drag and drop: Drop files directly onto the map (see above image)
• Upload via browser: Open Sample Browser -> click "upload sample" button

  Note: Supported Formats WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3. Samples over 2 minutes are automatically clipped

What works best:

• Single notes or simple chord progressions
• Sounds with clear timbral variation
• Field recordings with diverse textures
• Samples under 30 seconds for optimal performance

Sample History

All loaded samples are automatically stored in your User folder, creating a personal library that grows with use. Access any previously loaded sample through the Sample Browser at any time.

Sample Waveform Preview

• Play button: Preview entire sample
• Click on waveform: Preview that point in the timeline
• Root note selector: Set sample's pitch reference (this corrects for samples which aren't middle C)

Sample Processing

When loading a sample, Solstice:

1. Copies it to your User folder (original unchanged)
2. Performs spectral analysis (one-time process)
3. Stores analysis for instant recall
4. Creates the visual map

Presets store all parameters, mode settings, playhead/path position, and sample reference.

Loading Presets

• Click the preset name in the header to open the presets browser
• Click on a preset to load it
• Filter by tags or mode using filter button
• Use arrow buttons when either open or closed for sequential browsing (respects active filters)

  Note: To close the preset panel click the preset name again

Filter Logic

Click filter or sort to organise the presets

• Tags: ALL selected tags must match (AND operation)
• Modes: ANY selected mode matches (OR operation)
• Categories: User and Factory are mutually exclusive
• Sorting: By creation date, modification date, or alphabetical

Saving Presets

1. Save button overwrites current preset (disabled for Factory presets)
2. Click + button to create new preset from the existing parameters.

Preset List Interface

• Heart icon: Add/remove favorites
• Name: Followed by first three tags
• Mode symbol: Indicates preset's mode
• Three dots (User): Click to edit preset

  Note: Right clicking on a User preset shows edit/delete

Missing Samples

If a preset's sample is missing:

• Preset appears red in browser
• Error message displays missing sample name
• To fix: Load preset, then drop in the missing sample

Sharing Presets

Presets reference samples using relative paths. To share:

1. Copy .xml file from User folder (File Paths)
2. Include audio sample with matching filename
3. Recipients place files in corresponding folders

MIDI Input

• Note on/off with velocity sensitivity
• Pitch bend (±12 semitones) for real-time pitch control

Parameter Mapping

All parameters accept MIDI mapping:

• X/Y map playhead position
• Path handle positions
• Mode-specific parameters
• ADSR, Filter & Reverb parameters

Ambient Pad

1. Load sustained sample (strings, choir, synth)
2. Select Drift mode
3. Set Force: 0.3, Rate: 0.5, Spread: 15
4. Add reverb: Dry/Wet 0.5, Size 0.7, Decay 0.6
5. Play chords via MIDI

Result: Continuously evolving pad with organic movement

Rhythmic Pattern

1. Load percussive material
2. Select Path mode
3. Draw path between contrasting regions
4. Set Speed: 1/16 (Sync enabled), Direction: Loop, Spread: 3

Result: Tempo-locked rhythmic sequence with timbral movement

Chaotic Texture

1. Load complex material (field recording, dense mix)
2. Select Drift mode
3. Set Force: 0.5, Rate: -1.0, Random: 0.1
4. Long Release: 10 seconds
5. Play sparse notes, let them overlap

Result: Unpredictable evolving soundscape with emergent patterns

Audio Support

• Formats: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3
• Sample rates: 44.1kHz - 96kHz
• Bit depth: 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit float
• Channels: Mono (stereo files use first channel only)
• Max length: 2 minutes (auto-clipped if longer)

Voice Management

• Maximum voices: 16 simultaneous
• Voice stealing: Oldest note replaced when limit reached
• Each trigger: Creates new voice layer with independent envelope

No Sound Output

• Verify track routing in DAW
• Check MIDI input assignment
• Ensure click-to-play toggle ((insrt click to play toggle iamge)) is enabled
• Confirm sample is loaded

Audio Artifacts or Metallic Sounds

• Increase Spread value for smoother blending
• Apply lowpass filter below 5kHz
• Lower reverb Tone parameter
• Try a sample with less noise content

Sample Loading Issues

• Confirm supported format (WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3)
• Check file isn't corrupted
• Verify sample under 2 minutes

Preset Issues

• Red preset name: Sample missing—reload and drop in sample
• Can't save: Check write permissions for User folder
• Filters not working: Clear all filters and reapply

Support

If you can't find the answer to your questions, please contact info@minuit.am

Mac

• Factory presets: /Library/Audio/Presets/Minuit/Solstice/Factory
• User presets: ~/Library/Audio/Presets/Minuit/Solstice/User
• Factory samples: /Library/Audio/Sounds/Minuit/Solstice/Factory
• User samples: ~/Library/Audio/Sounds/Minuit/Solstice/User/Custom

Windows

• Factory presets: C:\ProgramData\Minuit\Solstice\Factory\
• User presets: C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Minuit\Solstice\User\
• Factory samples: C:\ProgramData\Minuit\Solstice\Sounds\Factory\
• User samples: C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Minuit\Solstice\Sounds\User\Custom\

Keyboard/Mouse Shortcuts

• Shift + drag - Fine control (all parameters)
• Cmd/Ctrl + drag - Pan when zoomed
• Scroll - Zoom in/out at cursor

Click Behaviors

• Map click: Trigger with middle C
• Waveform click: Preview position at that point
• Click-to-play off: Position control only (for MIDI)

Tips for Best Results

• Use samples under 30 seconds for optimal performance
• Start with factory presets to understand the modes
• Simple harmonic or single-note samples work best
• Experiment with zoom levels—different perspectives reveal different possibilities
• Soften harsh sounds with lowpass filter or reverb