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Glossary

By the Forma Labs teamUpdated March 2026

Definitions of terms used throughout filament documentation.

Articulation Map

Configured per instrument in the mixer, defines what MIDI messages (keyswitches, CC values, program changes) to send when switching articulations. Required for Articulation Triggers to work.

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Articulation Trigger

A dropdown on each output row that selects which articulation is triggered automatically on keyswitch change or on DAW play/stop to ensure the articulation is loaded. Works in conjunction with articulation maps.

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Collection

A saved keyswitch assignment layout for an ensemble. Collections are useful for sets of related orchestrations such as melody stacks, dynamic layers, or performance variations.

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Chord Revoicing

Intelligent voice distribution that spreads chord notes across output rows in musically sensible ways. Modes include Adaptive (follows input) and Fixed (consistent voicing regardless of input).

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Grid Input

One of 8 input channels (columns) in the routing matrix that receive processed notes from voice layers before routing to output rows.

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Input Delay

A timing window (0-500ms) that groups notes played within the window together, allowing for imprecise playing. Available globally and per voice layer.

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Keyswitch

One of 12 slots that store complete orchestration states. Switching keyswitches instantly changes voice layers, routing, and module settings while keeping instruments loaded and audio uninterrupted.

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Latch Mode

A feature that holds notes indefinitely without keeping keys pressed. Play notes, engage the latch, release your hands, and notes continue sounding until you play something new.

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Ensemble

The structural preset that defines output row layout, row names, and compatible preset content. Ensembles are the user-facing preset structure in the current browser.

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Full Setup

A complete recall of the current Filament state, including ensemble structure, sound setup, mixer state, keyswitch layout, and orchestration content.

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Macro

A control that maps a single incoming CC to multiple mixer parameters simultaneously. Useful for ensemble dynamics, spatial sweeps, and section balancing.

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MIDI CC Fader

Mixer controls that scale incoming MIDI controller values before they reach the instrument. Used for balancing sections via MIDI rather than audio volume, preserving natural dynamics.

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MIDI Clip Launcher

A module that imports, records, edits, and plays MIDI sequences. Features 12 drop zones per output row per keyswitch, piano roll editing, loop/one-shot modes, direct record-to-clip, and arpeggiation mode for reharmonization.

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MIDI Out

Filament's workflows for sending generated MIDI to the host, recording generated MIDI, exporting or dragging MIDI into a DAW, and handing a recording to MuseScore Bridge.

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MuseScore Bridge

A workflow for recording routed Filament MIDI, cleaning timing and note lengths, mapping output rows to MuseScore staves, and sending the result into MuseScore.

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Multi-Core

A global setting controlling CPU core distribution for hosted instruments. Default is 1 (single core). Set to Auto for larger setups to distribute processing across multiple cores.

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Orchestration

The musical content of a single keyswitch: voice layer configurations, routing matrix connections with transpose values, chord revoicing settings, and output row module parameters.

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Output Row

One of up to 64 instrument channels. Each row has a processing pipeline (Phrase Arpeggiator, Clip Launcher, Smart Modifier, Articulation Trigger) and can send MIDI to a hosted plugin, host MIDI out, or no destination.

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Phrase Arpeggiator

A pattern sequencer that generates phrases from held chords. Features row types (All, Note Position 1-8, High/Low, Fixed, Pattern modes), velocity editing, and linking across instruments.

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Routing Matrix

The 8x64 grid connecting voice layers (8 columns) to output rows (up to 64 rows). Each connection can have its own transpose value (-24 to +24 semitones). CC messages are automatically reduced to 1:1 to prevent jitter.

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Row Type

In the Phrase Arpeggiator, determines which note from the input chord plays on each step. Types include All (full chord), Note Position (1-8), High/Low, Fixed (static notes), and Pattern modes (Up, Down, Up-Down, Down-Up, Random).

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Sound Setup

A preset containing hosted instruments, mixer settings, effect chains, articulation maps, MIDI CC scaling, output bus routing, and macro definitions.

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Smart Modifier

A curve-based processor that remaps note velocities or CC values. Used for dynamics shaping, section balancing, and per-keyswitch dynamic adjustments.

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SmartSwitch

The input router that directs incoming MIDI to the currently active keyswitch. Handles seamless transitions between keyswitch states.

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Split

A voice layer type that distributes chord notes across multiple grid inputs using intelligent voicing. Includes harmonic truncation to limit voices and smart filtering.

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Voice Layer

One of 8 input processors per keyswitch that filter and transform incoming MIDI before routing. Types include All (pass-through), Low (lowest note), High (highest note), and Split (chord distribution).

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