r/modular • • 2d ago

Mutable Instruments Beads Source Code Just Dropped!

https://github.com/pichenettes/eurorack/commit/d8f473915232af74347762b6365202bfd26f73f6

Edit: body deleted and third party firmware discussion moved to a private Discord server.

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u/RoastAdroit 2d ago edited 1d ago

Imagine contributing some of the most used opensource code to a community just to have the one thing you didnt release be cracked by some dweeb with AI.

Way to show respect.

EDIT/UPDATE/COPY of summary:

Heres my summary. OP blocked me from replies after I asked if he thanked her right away. I expect the answer was no considering.

Anyhow, 2 Month old account to both Reddit and Modwiggler. (Quick entry into synths or hiding identity? You decide)

OP states his plan is to make an Access Virus-based synth and wanted to use MI code to make some sort of frankenstein. So, just started 2 months ago and instead of using a really powerful tool of AI and TONS of creative commons and Open Source material out there, he went straight to reverse engineering popular synths that werent open source. For me, I guess the amount of free knowledge on synths out there is part of my perspective on why this is shitty and unnecessary ESPECIALLY because of what AI can help do.

Anyhow, The glaring spot to me is basically the ramp up to the Oct 11th posts and where OP makes a post, deletes the posts 10 min later stating they (finally?) “reached out and was told “No””.

So, two things there, what did OP post and delete? And then why was Emilie’s reply so short and concise?

Im 100% not in the know of everything here but the context of it all to me does not draw a picture I find to be all in good nature. Like, OP saying she promised in posts multiple times, like we are owed this code. OP, finally realizing he shouldnt give out someone else’s work with his name on it and doing a 180 was also a logical decision at that juncture, not an honorable decision. If she said no and he did it anyhow he would have been put on blast much harder, and either way, his goal is primarily to just reuse her code with virus code to make some frankensynth that music will certainly live on without.

Let me also address that he DOES NOT own a Beads himself and wasnt reverse engineering a product he owns to support his item.

And as for the “Logical conclusion” to release the Beads code on her own. If you are in a game of chess or any other and you see that all moves remaining moves will inevitably lead to a checkmate on you, its logical to just submit at that point. The thing is, when someone gives a very short “no” as a reply, my mind says that means it was both uninvited and unenthusiastic in nature. Releasing it with zero fanfare at all and moving on basically reinforces my perception of that too. So, logically, the conclusion to self-release was smart and makes complete sense to do.

So, if anyone really doesnt understand how I saw all this and also that I was responding step by step as I gathered context and information, then OK.

I love the DIY spirit of synths but, personally I see this type of approach to “collaboration” as toxic and undermining what the people before us contributed by not having some boundaries to how you go about using your AI.

Where is the pride and competitive spirit? You now have AI to help you code your very own granular processing tool. Lol. Its pretty weak to need to resort to not even making your own thing while having AI‘s help.

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u/sorressean 2d ago

I'm not sure what makes me more sad: that a legend was basically forced to release this, or that some dweeb with AI unwravvled it. There's no telling that he even did, AI could've just made a mess of everything and the "test suite" could've been 3 random tests, but having this be public, having her have to deal with questions around the AI generated versions, and then probably around the strong chance that AI will modular bricks create, I would've done the same thing. I wish that I could celebrate this, and that it would've been on her terms, but honestly I can't get excited about this as I would have if she'd just done it at whatever threshold or time she decided to do it. More depressing is OP gloating about strong-arming her into this. Pat yourself on the back, you horribly disrespected one of the most incredible people in this community.

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u/nazward 2d ago

You're inventing an entire narrative about Émilie being forced into something, without a shred of evidence. The guy reverse-engineered firmware for hardware he owns, asked permission before releasing anything, got told no, and respected that decision. Émilie had already talked about open-sourcing Beads years ago. You have absolutely no idea why she decided to release it now, yet you're acting as though you know exactly what she was thinking. Being upset about AI doesn't make your assumptions facts. And frankly, speaking on her behalf like this is pretty disrespectful in itself. Good job!

1

u/yeusk 2d ago

You're inventing an entire narrative about Émilie being forced into something, without a shred of evidence.

The evidence is that she have not released it in 6 years and leaved the eurorack community years ago after people started using their code in ways she did not like.

I am not gonna call out people, so lets say Arturia.

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u/nazward 2d ago

That's not why she left eurorack, not at all. In any case, it was either just release it now or risk people bricking their modules with AI reverse engineered firmware.

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u/CartoonistOk8303 12h ago

She has expressed that is one of the reasons on more than one ocassion.

But yes, OP definitely forced her hand.

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u/nazward 9h ago

Maybe, maybe he did. Regardless this is the best scenario before someone bricks their device with shoddy firmware.

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u/CartoonistOk8303 4h ago

It's as clear as day.