WMD Metron User Manual
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WMD Metron User Manual

Advanced trigger and gate sequencer
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METRON
ADVANCED TRIGGER
AND GATE SEQUENCER
USER MANUAL

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Summary of Contents for WMD Metron

  • Page 1 METRON ADVANCED TRIGGER AND GATE SEQUENCER USER MANUAL...
  • Page 2 METRON ADVANCED TRIGGER AND GATE SEQUENCER...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION........................4 1.1 CONVENTIONS OF THIS MANUAL................5 2. USER INTERFACE AND CONNECTIONS................6 2.1 FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW..................7 2.2 REAR CONNECTIONS....................8 3. OVERVIEW OF METRON’S STRUCTURE.................10 3.1 SETTINGS FILE......................10 3.2 PROJECT........................10 3.3 SESSION........................10 3.4 VARIATION........................11 3.5 TRACKS........................11 4. BASIC FUNCTIONS......................12 4.1 VARIATIONS......................12...
  • Page 4 5.1 BURST MODE / GATE MODE..................26 5.2 MICROTIMING......................27 5.2.1 Enter Microtiming Mode...................27 5.3 RANDOM MODE......................28 5.3.1 Random Pattern....................28 5.3.2 Probabilty......................28 5.3.3 Group Probability.....................28 5.3.4 Alternate Event....................29 5.4 TRIPLET........................29 5.5 PER-TRACK SHUFFLE.....................29 6. FILL FX..........................30 6.1 MUTE........................31 6.1.1 Recall Mute Scenes...................31 6.1.2 To Set a Mute Scene...................31 6.1.3 Mute Scene Track Enable..................31 6.2 ROLL........................32...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Thank you for supporting WMD, you allow us to continue to create. We hope to do the same for you.

  • Page 6: Conventions Of This Manual

    Like this: ‘ENABLE’ The following symbols are used throughout the manual: Important information you should pay attention to. A tip to make it easier to interact with Metron. Blinking LED: Switches between bright on and off. Breathing LED: slowly pulses between bright and dim.

  • Page 7: User Interface And Connections

    2. USER INTERFACE AND CONNECTIONS 2. USER INTERFACE AND CONNECTIONS Metron’s interface has been divided into functional sections. These sections will be referred to by the labels show in the diagram below.

  • Page 8: Front Panel Overview

    VARIATIONS: There are 5 VARIATION buttons: A, B, C, D, and E, as well as the COMPOSE button. Use them to select and navigate between variations. II. TRACK GROUP: For most modes, Metron can display up to four tracks at a time. The group of tracks currently displayed are selected with the TRACK GROUP buttons.

  • Page 9: Rear Connections

    2. USER INTERFACE AND CONNECTIONS 2.2 REAR CONNECTIONS POWER: Metron uses a 16 pin power connector in order to interface with the Select Bus. No power is consumed from the +5V or -12V rails. II. SYNCBUS: This connector allows for integration with modules and hardware that uses the SyncBus start/stop protocol.

  • Page 11: Overview Of Metron's Structure

    “SETTINGS.WMD”. 3.2 PROJECT The root of the memory card also contains a number of project folders. All the data for loading and saving is stored inside the project folders. Metron can store up to 8 projects. 3.3 SESSION A session represents a memory save in Metron.

  • Page 12: Variation

    Variations are Metron’s working memory. Each variation stores all of the track information. This means the user has 5 quick access memory slots available to them at all times. Additionally, Metron has the ability to play and edit separate variations. This allows the user to build a fresh pattern while the last one is still playing.

  • Page 13: Basic Functions

    4. BASIC FUNCTIONS 4.1 VARIATIONS Variations are key to making music with Metron. A variation contains the data for all 16 tracks. The user has 5 variations to facilitate pattern composition, allowing for seamless transitions when recording or performing live.

  • Page 14: Select A Variation For Editing

    4. BASIC FUNCTIONS 4.1.2 Select a Variation for Editing To select a variation for editing simply press the [VARIATION]. To select a variation to play, see FOLLOW below (fig. 4.2) 4.1.3 Follow Variations can be triggered to follow one another. All playheads will reset once the new variation begins playing unless otherwise noted.

  • Page 15: Compose Mode

    4. BASIC FUNCTIONS 4.2 COMPOSE MODE Compose Mode is considered to be the main or default mode of Metron. The four rows of the matrix correspond to the four tracks in the current TRACK GROUP. Press [COMPOSE] at any time to return to Compose Mode.

  • Page 16: Quick Burst / Quick Gate

    4. BASIC FUNCTIONS 4.2.1 Quick Burst / Quick Gate The user can quickly enter burst steps without ever leaving Compose Mode by holding the [MATRIX] step and turning ENCODER 2. The burst type will show on the CURRENT STEP display. A similar function is also extended to gates that allows the user to quickly enter long gates.

  • Page 17: Single Track View

    4. BASIC FUNCTIONS 4.3 SINGLE TRACK VIEW The user also has the option to display four pages of a single track across the four rows of the MATRIX. This is referred to as Single Track View. Temporarily enter this view by holding the corresponding [TRACK SELECT] button. Latch this view by then pressing [COMPOSE] or vice versa.

  • Page 18: Reset / Pause

    Pressing this button will immediately reset all playheads inside the unit. It will also force any requested memory loads or follow actions to happen immediately. The RESET function is available from all modes in Metron, except for when the [RECORD] button is held. Holding [RECORD] and pressing [RESET] will pause the sequencer and mute the outputs.

  • Page 19: Duplicate

    E.G. a user can copy a variation to a single track (fig. 4.3) All of Metron’s DUPLICATE functions are performed using a similar button combination. The user enters Duplicate Mode by holding [DUPLICATE]. The sequence of buttons pressed after entering Duplicate Mode determines the data that will duplicate.
  • Page 20 4. BASIC FUNCTIONS DUPLICATE TYPES COPY PASTE VARIATION VARIATION PAGE TRACK PAGE PAGE TRACK TRACK TRACK STEP STEP TRACK fig. 4.3 A number of special helper functions are also contained in Duplicate Mode. These are CONTRACT, EXPAND, and PL.DUP (Pattern Length Duplicate). Find out more about these functions in Section 7.

  • Page 21: Clear

    4. BASIC FUNCTIONS 4.6 CLEAR Quickly clear data by holding [CLEAR] and pressing the [VARIATION], [TRACK SELECT], any [STEP] button, or [ENCODER 2] corresponding to the data you would like to clear. [Clear VARIATION] [Clear page] [Clear step] [Clear track]...

  • Page 22: Nudge

    4. BASIC FUNCTIONS 4.7 NUDGE Metron has the ability to nudge a single track, or all tracks at once. Nudge data wraps at the track’s pattern length, and the original first step of the pattern will blink in order to let the user know how far they’ve nudged the pattern.

  • Page 23: Memory

    4. BASIC FUNCTIONS 4.9 MEMORY Metron’s memory can contain up to 512 sessions, addressed in banks of 64 across 8 projects. The memory interface is accessed by pressing the [MEMORY] button. Turn ENCODER 1 to Turn ENCODER 2 to select a session. Turn select a project.

  • Page 24: Load Variation Instant

    Memory Mode will exit. 4.9.5 S.BUS Loading Metron responds to Select Bus program change messages by instantly loading a session. Enable this feature by setting S.BUS to ‘IN’ in GLOBAL settings. 4.9.6 Clear Memory Slot...

  • Page 25: Record

    4. BASIC FUNCTIONS 4.10 RECORD Quickly record manual triggers and gates to a track by holding or pressing [RECORD] then tapping the corresponding [TRACK SELECT] button. Hold or press [RECORD] to enter Record Mode. Press the corresponding [TRACK SELECT] to record a gate manually.

  • Page 27: Advanced Sequencing

    5. ADVANCED SEQUENCING 5. ADVANCED SEQUENCING This section describes the deeper sequencing features of Metron. 5.1 BURST MODE / GATE MODE Burst and Gate Modes allow the user to quickly enter predefined microstep data. Press and hold [BURST] or [GATE] to enter the corresponding mode. Step data entered in these modes are equivalent to microstep data and vice versa.

  • Page 28: Microtiming

    5. ADVANCED SEQUENCING 5.2 MICROTIMING Microtiming Mode allows the user to access the full 48ppqn resolution Metron offers.The microstep view uses the fourth row of the MATRIX to show the pattern of the track that contains the current editing step. The current editing step will be blinking.

  • Page 29: Random Mode

    16 tracks regardless of the step data contained. This is the percentage probability that the data on the step will play. Metron extends this core feature by adding an alternate event that takes place when the main event doesn’t, as well as the ability to apply group probability to a...

  • Page 30: Alternate Event

    100% Gate 5.4 TRIPLET Metron’s engine allows the user to freely mix triggers contained on a triplet grid and standard grid at quarter note resolution. When a quarter note is set to triplet, only the first 3 steps in that quarter note will be lit. The fourth step can contain data, but it will be ignored during playback.

  • Page 31: Fill Fx

    6. FILL FX 6. FILL FX The Fill FX mode is designed to give the user access to performance tools for generating fills and new patterns on the fly. The four rows of the MATRIX each represent a different tool. Row 1 is Mute, Row 2 is Roll, Row 3 is Loop, Row 4 is Gate.

  • Page 32: Mute

    6. FILL FX 6.1 MUTE Pressing any button in this row will toggle the current mute status of the selected track. Mute will stop anything from playing at the output, except for manual gates. 6.1.1 Recall Mute Scenes Hold [TRACK SELECT 1] to enable the Mute Scene selection, and press a [MUTE] button to select a scene .

  • Page 33: Roll

    6.2.2 Roll Pattern Replace Metron is filled with a selection of useful default roll patterns, but the user can replace any of these patterns as they please. To replace a pattern, first compose a 16-step replacement pattern in any track of Compose Mode. Feel free to use triplets as you please.
  • Page 34 6. FILL FX Default Patterns 1/16 1/32 P .2 P .3 P .4 1/4T 1/8T 1/16T 1/32T P .5 P .6 P .7 P .8...

  • Page 35: Loop

    6. FILL FX 6.3 LOOP The Loop effect allows the user to repeat a selected number of steps starting from the point the FX enabled. When disabled, the playhead returns to the position it would be at if the effect was never triggered. 6.3.1 Loop Track Enable Use the Track Enable function to toggle whether Loop will effect the corresponding track.

  • Page 36: Instant Variation Change

    6. FILL FX 6.5 INSTANT VARIATION CHANGE Holding the [FX FILL] button while selecting a variation will instantly jump to that variation without affecting the playhead. Use this feature to punch into variations and live “cut” them together. 6.6 RECORD FX Some of the functions in the FX Fill Mode can be recorded.

  • Page 37: Special Functions

    7. SPECIAL FUNCTIONS 7. SPECIAL FUNCTIONS This section contains information on some of Metron’s unique helper functions. These functions are designed to inspire the user and help generate new ideas quickly. 7.1 COMPOSE CHAIN This feature allows the user to chain the information from multiple variations together and paste it into the editing variation.

  • Page 38: Expand

    7. SPECIAL FUNCTIONS 7.4 EXPAND EXPAND allows the user to destructively edit the data as if it were being played at ½ speed. Use this function by holding [DUPLICATE] and pressing [NUDGE]. Apply this function to a single track by holding [DUPLICATE], pressing the corresponding [TRACK SELECT], and then press [NUDGE].

  • Page 39: Settings

    See MEMORY section 4.9 for more info. 8.2 GLOBAL SETTINGS Metron offers a number of Global Settings that allow the user to further refine their experience while using Metron. Access Global Settings by pressing the [GLOBAL] button. Use ENCODER 2 to select the setting, and ENCODER 1 to change the setting’s value.

  • Page 41: Assignable Inputs

    9. ASSIGNABLE INPUTS 9. ASSIGNABLE INPUTS Metron’s Assignable Inputs enable external interaction with Metron’s sequencing. Each Assignable Input can be assigned one of 16 different functions. Additionally, these functions can be enabled or disabled on a per track basis. You can access the Assignable Input settings from Global Settings using the MATRIX buttons.

  • Page 42: Assign Functions

    9. ASSIGNABLE INPUTS Loop: If Assign 1 and 2 are both set to loop, Assign 2 will act as a loop start offset. The voltage level on Assign 2 at the point the loop is enabled will be the new Q offset voltage for the loop.
  • Page 43 9. ASSIGNABLE INPUTS Assign Functions ROLL (D) CV Controlled Roll. 1V = 1/4 Note, 2V = 1/8 Note, 3V = 1/16 Note, 4V = 1/32 Note LOOP (D) CV Controlled Loop. 1V = 8 Steps, 2V = 4 Steps, 3V = 2 Steps, 4V = 1 Step. RESET (A) Resets enabled tracks.
  • Page 44 9. ASSIGNABLE INPUTS Reset/Assign Input Timing: Reset and Assign signal must arrive within or before Reset/Assign Input 30µS this window to modify the current step. Clock Input...

  • Page 45: S.bus

    64 memory sessions saved in your current project when it receives a change message. The S.BUS feature reaches a new level of control when Metron is the master. Using the S.BUS mode accessed by pressing [S.BUS], the user can freely sequence change messages.
  • Page 46 10. S.BUS Press [ENCODER 1] to toggle between “Play Once” and “Play Always.” Hold [CLEAR] and press a [MATRIX] step to clear the S.BUS step. Program the steps in a [MATRIX] column to toggle the binary address bits. [TRACK SELECT] buttons set the bank being addressed.

  • Page 47: Specs

    SPECS 11. SPECS Dimensions: Width: 36HP (182.75mm) Height: Eurorack 3U (128.5mm Panel, 112mm PCB behind panel) Depth Including Cables: 31mm Power: 16 pin Eurorack standard power cable 90 Degree, Low Profile Connection Reverse Polarity Protected • Do not connect power to expansion headers. Typical Power Consumption: +12V: 180mA, -12V: 0mA Maximum Power Consumption: +12V: 240mA, -12V: 0mA Start Up Time: 2.5 Seconds to splash screen, 6 seconds total...
  • Page 48 (1) year from date of invoice. The product must be sold by an authorized WMD dealer. Warranty will include labor and materials when proper use, application and maintenance procedures are followed.

  • Page 49: Credits

    CREDITS 12. CREDITS The font family used in this manual is EXO, designed by Natanael Gama. The WMD logo is derived from Cocaine Sans, designed by Christopher Hansen.

  • Page 50: Glossary

    SCENES: Essentially, these are presets of track mute settings that can be recalled at any time. SESSION: Refers to all of the data contained within one of Metron’s 64 save slots. A session contains the pattern data for 5 variations, 16 Mute Scenes, and settings for Internal Clock and Assign Input.

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