INTRODUCTION:

The Snake is a modulation device that uses a drag-and-drop interface, comes loaded with presets, has plenty of different filter modes, LFOs, envelope followers, ADSRs, and four Gooey Graphs.

Learn more about the features and controls encompassed in The Snake in the following sections.

overview

Header

(0) Gooey Icon
Hover over this icon to display a tooltip showing the current product version. Click to bypass plug-in.

(1) Preset Save Icon
Click to save the current preset. Presets are stored locally in the user’s file directory.

(2a) Preset Menu
Click to open the full list of saved presets.
Shortcut keys:

Ctrl + Z → Undo
Ctrl + Y → Redo

(2b) Preset Scroll Buttons
Use these buttons to scroll through available presets.

(3) Level controls: for pre-processing, the input control can add up to +24 db or lower the levels by -60 db. For post-processing, the output control can add up to +24 db or lower the levels by -60 db.

(4) Soft-Clipper: The soft-clipper must be toggled on to use. When in use, the soft-clipper will apply a subtle distortion to the signal, and allows another 24 db pre-amp gauge staging, so you can really drive the signal into the effect.

(5) Master Mix: will blend the input signal with the visage signal. This is a useful tool when interested in blending in and out the effects of Visage.

(6) Master Pan Controller: the pan controller has a 3db sine rule to provide a more authentic auditory panning experience. As one could predict, it completely pans the plug-in to the left channel, and vice versa to the right.

Macros:

The macro control binds to other controls and is a convenient way to have one control control many controls. (see 0 for more information on connecting macro controls)

(7+8 a) The macro envelope: Click and hold to drag and drop the macro control onto any of the dropbox containers.

(7+8 b) The macro label: Double-click to update the name that signifies what the macro control does.

The Graph:

GRAPH HEADER CONTROLS:

(9) Graph envelopes: Click and drag to attah a graph envelope to a controller’s dropbox.

To change graph views, so you can edit and modify a graph, single- or double-click a graph envelope. A light underneath the graph envelope will appear to indicate the graph that is currently selected (see G1)

Note, all controllers, including the macro and other graph rate sliders, can be attached.

GRAPH CONTROLS:

(11) Graph Nodes:

Double-click on any open space in the graph add a node.
Single-click on a line segment to add a node.
Single-click on a node to remove the node.
Click and drag on a node to move the node.
Shift + click to fine-tune the position of a node.

Note that when two graphs are vertical with each other, there will be a touch of resistance to drag nodes past each other.

Ctrl + Shift + R and double click to generate a random graph.
Ctrl + Alt + Shift and double click to reset the graph.

(11b) The Graph Line Segments:

Alt-click and drag on a line to shape the bend of the line segment.
Alt double-click to reset the bend to a string line.
Ctrl-Alt click to drag a line segment.

(10) The Graph cursor: provides a visual indication of where the DAW playhead is relative to the currently selected graph.

(11d) The Graph: the grid view can be modified and nodes can be added.

Note, the Waveform display has been removed from The Snake.

(12) GRAPH PLAYBACK CONTROLS:

The graph playback controls provide flexibility when creating different sounds.

(12a) The bullseye: is the manual retrigger button. When a user clicks the bullseye, the graph cursor will automatically reset. Note, the manual retrigger button can also be automated by a user’s DAW.

(12b) The loop: is a control to determine if the graph is to play continuously or as a one-shot.

(12c) The unidirectional: control determines how the envelope of the graph will bind to controllers. When set as unidirectional, the graph will modulate in a single direction, but when set to bidirectional, the zero point is in the middle of the graph, and modulation will span across the left and right axis of the controls.

(12d) The lock control determines the rate slider playback. When locked, the rate slider is synced to the tempo of the DAW.

(12e) Midi retrigger control allows users to route in midi notes to the plugin, and will retrigger the corresponding graph to a corresponding midi note (C-2 triggers graph G1)

GRAPH PLAYBACK RATE:

(12f) GRAPH RATE: In addition to the rate control being able to tempo sync, if you press Shift and right-click on the rate slider, then you can select a single, dotted, or triple playback rate.

Note, the rate control can also be daisy-chained with other rate controls.

GRAPH BEATGRID VIEW:

(12g) EYEGLASS: Shaping a graph to create a hook can be a daunting task at times, so we’ve tried to make the graph-shaping process as intuitive as possible.

Click the magnifying glass to change the grid viewer layout, and toggle on the magnet to quickly snap the nodes to the grid.

GRAPH PRESETS:

(12h) PRESETS: The graph also comes loaded with a number of presets. To scroll through the presets, click the up and down arrows, or select a preset from the list. Additionally, to save a preset, click the save icon.

(12i) GRAPH OFFSET: at times, an offset may be desired on the graph. If so, then first unlock the phase offset slider by pressing ctrl + p.

Note the slider will become black instead of greyed out, then click and drag to offset the start of the graph.

If the command Ctrl + P is not unlocking the phase offset slider, then try to click on the area first to grab the attention of the keyboard to that component.

By default, the offset is set to zero, and the control is disabled.

MODULATORS:

ADSR:

(22) ADSR – The envelope triggers when the input exceeds the trigger voltage and releases when it falls below.

(22a) Attack – Sets the time for the envelope to rise from zero to peak.
(22b) Decay – Sets the time for the envelope to fall from peak to the sustain level.
(22c) Sustain – Sets the amplitude level maintained while the trigger is active.
(22d) Release – Sets the time for the envelope to fall from the sustain level to zero after the trigger ends.

(23) Trigger – Sets the input voltage required to activate the envelope.

(24) Sidechain – When enabled, allows external tracks to trigger the ADSR envelope.

Envelope Follower:

(25) Rise – Sets how quickly the envelope responds to increasing signal levels.

(26) Sensitivity – Adjusts how strongly the envelope reacts to input changes.

(28) Fall – Sets how quickly the envelope responds to decreasing signal levels.

(27) Sidechain – When enabled, allows external tracks to trigger the envelope follower.

Low Frequency Oscillator:

(29) Timing Controls

Tempo Lock – Syncs the LFO to the host tempo.
Dotted – Multiplies the synced rate by 1.5× for a syncopated rhythm.
Triplet – Sets the synced rate to 2/3 of the tempo.
Note: Dotted and Triplet only work when Tempo Lock is engaged.

(30) Wave Selection – Choose from Sine, Triangle, Pulse, Saw, Rectified, or Ramp waveforms.

(31) Rate Slider – Adjusts the LFO rate. When synced, the rate scales with the DAW tempo; in free mode, it ranges from very slow up to 20 Hz.

INLETS:

Controls (15/18) – Each bindable slider can be connected to and modulated by up to two modulation sources. To assign a source, simply drag and drop the envelope onto the slider. To adjust how much the envelope follower affects the control, click and drag on the envelope.

Mode(s) (16/19) – Click to scroll through a range of filter and phaser modes.

Viewer (17/20) – Displays a visual representation based on the selected filter’s frequency response.

Footer

Footer Tooltips (14) – Provides contextual help. For example, the Sparkle button tooltip explains that it adds brightness and width to the shimmer effect.

back to the snake

Instruction Manual – V2.0.0 – last updated 4/22/2026