METRON

Thank you for choosing the WMD Metron Performance Sequencer. Metron is a dynamic performance gate sequencer ideal for real-time pattern creation, live performance, and improvisation. It features 16 outputs and over 93 buttons, making it easy to "push" the rhythm and control of your Eurorack into rewarding territories. To make the most of the machine, we recommend that you carefully read this manual.

WMD's niche is: "New Sounds, Maximum Experience", and while Metron may be silent on its own (unless you really like clicks), it absolutely creates the maximum experience one can have with modular and rhythm. We have been pushing our gear to be ever more playable and versatile in a live setting, to help you play for longer, make better transitions, and get the most out of the other modules in your rig. We make gear to make your mind's ear a reality.

Years of internal iteration of Metron gives you modern, unequivocal control over timed events while retaining the familiarity of the classic trigger sequencer. We have agonized over all aspects of the human interface to create a device that allows the immediate expression of rhythm. Three years of development, sixteen hardware revisions, and thousands of hours coding have resulted in a machine that is both fluidly satisfying to play and vast enough to challenge and excite its human for years.

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

We have used the following conventions throughout the manual:

Button names are written in uppercase and bracketed letters. For instance, the button labeled "DUPL" is called [DUPL]. Encoder 1 would be referred to as ENCODER 1, while the encoder 1 button will be [ENCODER 1]. A push of the encoder button will be indicated with brackets, while a turn of the encoder will not.

Mode names are capitalized followed by the word Mode. The Compose Mode is an example of this.

Functions where settings can be made or actions performed are written in upper case letters and underlined. For example: SAVE SESSION.

Messages visible on a screen are written in upper case letters and enclosed in apostrophes. Like this: 'ENABLE'

Metron's interface has been divided into functional sections. These sections will be referred to by the labels shown in the diagram below.

The following diagram shows Metron's memory hierarchy.

All data aside from project data is stored in the global settings file, called "SETTINGS.WMD", located at the root of the memory card.

The root of the memory card also contains a number of project folders. All session data is stored inside the project folders. Metron can store up to 8 projects.

A session represents a memory save in Metron. Every project contains 64 sessions. A session contains the pattern data for 5 variations, 16 Mute Scenes, and settings for Internal Clock, Assign Input and Per-Track Shuffle.

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. Variations are the key to dynamic, evolving performances and composition with Metron.

Metron features 16 standard tracks as well as an S.BUS track, compatible with Select Bus. Each of these tracks can be up to 256 steps in length. Standard tracks offer additional deep pattern editing features, like 48ppqn resolution, shuffle and triplets.

Pairing any number of Voltera expanders with Metron will unlock an additional track referred to as the "COMPOSE SCENE TRACK." This information is presented here because the data for this track is distributed between the memory cards in expander units and Metron itself. For a deeper explanation of this track and its features see "SPECIAL FUNCTIONS".

This section contains information related to the separately available Voltera expansion module. Ignore this section if you do not have Voltera.

Expand your rhythmic control of gates to control voltage with the Voltera voltage expander. Every Voltera adds 4 bi-polar CV outputs presented as completely independent tracks. Add up to 16 Volteras to a Metron unit for a total of 64 control voltage tracks.

The EXP headers on the back of Metron and Voltera make it extremely simple to connect expanders to Metron. Simply connect one 8-pin ribbon cable, supplied with Voltera, to either of the two EXP headers on Metron. Be sure to orient the red stripe toward the white dot printed next to the "EXP" label. Connect additional Voltera's either to each other or to the second EXP header on Metron. Finally, place the EXP TERM covers on any open headers. It is generally best practice to string or chain Metron and Volteras one by one, and place EXP TERM covers at either end of the string.

Voltera's interface is an extension of Metron's front panel. Most of the Metron track functions can be performed on Voltera by substituting a press of the [TRACK SELECT] button for the "turn" gesture described in section 4.5. Functions are explained with more detail in their corresponding Metron sections.

Voltera features its own memory card located on the rear of the unit for saving. The following section describes the file structure and layout of said memory card.

For more information on Voltera Operation, check out section 5.3 Voltera Basic Operations.

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.

The user has the ability to view and edit variations that are not playing. The variation currently playing is indicated by a bright LED on the VARIATION buttons. If the editing variation is not the playing variation it will be indicated by a breathing LED on the VARIATION buttons.

To select a variation for editing simply press the [VARIATION]. To select a variation to play, see FOLLOW below.

Variations can be triggered to follow one another. All playheads will reset once the new variation begins playing unless otherwise noted.

End of Variation: Press the [VARIATION] you would like to play once to edit, and a second time to follow at the end of the variation.

End of Bar: Press the [VARIATION] that is set to follow at end of the variation currently playing once more to make it follow at the end of the next bar.

Instant: Hold [FILL FX] and press the [VARIATION] you would like to play. The variation will begin playing immediately from the current playhead position.

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.

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. Hold the corresponding [MATRIX] step and turn ENCODER 1. Turning the encoder to the left will make a gradually decreasing gate on the held step. Turning to the right will set the step to 100%. Continuing to turn the encoder will push 100% gates to the following steps extending to a multi-step gate.

This section contains the functions that are available to Voltera when Metron is in Compose Mode.

Voltera is a "last event" sequencer. This means that the outputs will always hold the voltage of the "last event" sent to them. Setting a step will not send an event to the output until the sequencer plays that step.

Set a Voltage on a step by holding a Metron [MATRIX] button and then turning the [VOLTERA KNOB] associated to the output the user would like to set the voltage on. The voltage or quantized v/oct value will be displayed on Metron's [CURRENT STEP DISPLAY] as well as Voltera's [TRACK LED].

Pressing the [SELECT] button before or while setting a voltage on a step will "Audition" the voltage of that step. The output voltage will be directly set by the knob as long as the [MATRIX] button is held.

Holding the Voltera [SELECT] button on Voltera before turning the [VOLTERA KNOB] will set the output to "Live Takeover." When this is enabled the [VOLTERA KNOB] directly sets the voltage of the corresponding output. Regardless of the state of the sequencer. When the user releases the [SELECT] button the output will return to normal sequencer driven operation.

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.

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. Repeat this button combination to unpause.

DUPLICATE is one of the most essential functions to working quickly in Metron. Data types are arranged hierarchically. Anything lower in the hierarchy can take the data of something higher in the hierarchy, E.G. a user can copy a variation to a single track.

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. First press is Copy and subsequent presses are Paste. Paste actions will continue until [DUPLICATE] is released, unless otherwise noted in the following section.

Quickly clear data by holding [CLEAR] and pressing the [VARIATION], [TRACK SELECT], any [MATRIX] button, or [ENCODER 2] corresponding to the data you would like to clear.

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.

Every track in Metron can have its own independent pattern length.

To set a single track's pattern length hold [PTN LENGTH] and press the [MATRIX] button that corresponds to the desired last step on that track.

To set all tracks to the end of a page hold [PTN LENGTH] and press [ENCODER 2] while viewing the page you would like to end on.

Increase or decrease the length of all tracks simultaneously by holding [PTN LENGTH] and turning ENCODER 1. Set all tracks to the length of the longest track by holding [PTN LENGTH] and pressing [ENCODER 1].

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.

Arm SAVE SESSION by pressing [GLOBAL] in Memory Mode. The display will show 'S' followed by the currently selected slot. Use ENCODER 1 to select a new slot if desired. Press [GLOBAL] again to save the session.

The normal loading procedure will load the session at the end of the next bar, or the end of the pattern if it occurs before the next bar. First select the session you would like to load using the [MATRIX] or ENCODER 1. Arm LOAD by pressing [TEMPO]. The step display will show 'L' followed by the selected slot. Press [TEMPO] again to load.

Loading a session from an empty memory slot will load and automatically save a new, blank session. Global settings from the current session will be applied to this session.

This feature has been removed in Firmware 1.6 to enable the ability of loading blank sessions in Memory mode.

The user also has the option to load a single variation or all 5 variations instantly. All other session information is ignored when a variation is loaded.

To load a variation follow the steps to arm LOAD (see above). Before pressing [TEMPO] a second time, turn ENCODER 1 to select the desired variation, or all 5. If you are loading a single variation, it will load into the current variation being edited. Press [TEMPO] to initiate the VARIATION LOAD. The data will load instantly.

Quickly load all variations while playing session data by holding [TEMPO] and pressing the [MATRIX] button corresponding to the desired session. The variation data will load instantly, and Memory Mode will exit.

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.

Hold [CLEAR] and press the corresponding [MATRIX] button.

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], then press the corresponding [TRACK SELECT]. Manual gate recording is quantized to the 16th note on the standard grid.

Hold or press [RECORD], then move the corresponding [TRACK KNOB]. The last knob position before the sequencer moves to the next step will be the stored value.

This section describes the deeper sequencing features of Metron.

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.

The STEP DISPLAY shows the displayed step type. Turning ENCODER 1 changes the displayed step type.

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. The first 12 steps of the first MATRIX row are used to represent the time of one step divided into 12 equal quanta. The TRACK SELECT buttons display the track that contains the current editing step. Press any of the first 12 steps in [MATRIX] row 1 to toggle the microstep.

Holding a [MATRIX] button in Compose Mode and pressing [BURST] or [GATE] will enter Microtiming Mode for the selected step.

Random Mode gives the user access to Metron's probability engine, as well as Metron's random pattern generation feature. These features are powered by a true analog random generator. Metron has the ability to assign a probability percentage to any step of the 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 group of steps so they either all happen or don't.

Generate random patterns at the Track or Variation level by holding [RANDOM] and pressing the corresponding [TRACK SELECT] or [VARIATION] button.

Enter Random Mode by pressing [RANDOM]. The Random Mode display is similar to the Burst and Gate Mode displays. The STEP DISPLAY shows the displayed probability. Turning ENCODER 1 changes the displayed probability. The MATRIX shows steps with no probability setting as dimly lit. Steps that are flashing have the probability setting shown on the step display. Steps that are bright but not blinking have probability set to a different value than the one shown on the display. Press a [MATRIX] button to set the step to the probability shown on the display. Pressing it a second time will remove the probability data while preserving the pattern data.

The final amounts listed on the STEP DISPLAY are the letters A,B,C, and D followed by a number, E.G. "A.25". These represent Group Probability. All steps set to the same letter share a "coin toss." The probability "coin toss" takes place at the beginning of the variation. Change a group's probability setting by pressing [ENCODER 1]. A group can also use another group to define its probability setting; E.G. steps set to A.B will only play if group B fails to play.

View the alternate event page by pressing [ENCODER 2]. The STEP DISPLAY will now show triggers, bursts, and gates. These events can only be placed on steps that already have a probability assigned to them. These steps will be lit brightly.

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. Set a quarter note to triplet by accessing Triplet Mode and pressing the corresponding [MATRIX] button. Triplet can also be enabled for an entire track or variation by pressing the corresponding button while holding [TRIPLET].

Metron offers the ability to shuffle clock on a per-track basis. These settings are saved within the session.

You can push every other step on a track back in time by up to 15 microsteps by holding the corresponding [TRACK SELECT] and turning Encoder 1. The offset will be displayed in microsteps on the step display.

Hold [CLEAR] and press [TEMPO] to set all tracks back to no shuffle.

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.

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.

Hold [TRACK SELECT 1] to enable the Mute Scene selection, and press a [MUTE] button to select a scene. Mute Scenes allow the user to set the mutes to a known status. All mute scenes are set to ON for all tracks by default. Recalling this scene would set all outputs to unmuted regardless of their previous status.

Set the mutes to the desired configuration. Hold the [MUTE] button that corresponds to the desired scene slot and then press [TRACK SELECT 1]. Mute Scenes are saved with Session Memory. The last mute scenes set in the system will be loaded on power up.

By default, all tracks are enabled to respond to Mute Scenes. The user can disable this for a track on the fly by turning off the Mute Scene Track Enable. You can access this by holding Track Enable [TRACK SELECT 2 or 3] and pressing the corresponding [MUTE] button. Enabled tracks are lit, disabled tracks are dim.

Roll switches the current playing pattern to a known stored pattern that starts when a [ROLL] button is pressed. Access Roll by pressing any of the [MATRIX] buttons in row 2.

Roll can be disabled for certain tracks by holding Track Enable [TRACK SELECT 2 or 3] and pressing the [ROLL] button that horizontally corresponds to the track you would like to disable.

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. When you are happy with the pattern, hold the corresponding [TRACK SELECT] and press the [FX FILL] button. Before releasing [TRACK SELECT], turn ENCODER 1 until the STEP DISPLAY shows the Roll selection you would like to replace. Press [ENCODER 1] to select and save. Roll patterns are stored in the Global Settings file.

The Roll feature can be pushed into advanced territory by using the Special Track Enable feature. This feature allows a roll to contain its own track enable assignment. This allows you to decouple certain rolls from the main track enable and use them simultaneously. Access this feature by holding the [ROLL] you would like to set a Special Track Enable on, and pressing Track Enable [TRACK SELECT 2 or 3]. Row 2 will begin to flash. If all lights in the row are flashing, the Roll refers to the main track enable. Press any of these buttons to set the Special Track Enable for the selected Roll.

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.

Use the Track Enable function to toggle whether Loop will effect the corresponding track. Hold Track Enable [TRACK SELECT 2 or 3] and press the corresponding [MATRIX ROW 3] button to toggle enable. Enabled tracks are brightly lit.

Latch an effect by holding it and pressing the Latch button [TRACK SELECT 4]. Holding Latch then pressing the effect will also work. Press the effect again or press Latch to disable the latch.

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.

Some of the functions in the FX Fill Mode can be recorded. This includes Roll, Loop, and Instant Variation Change.

To record an effect, enable recording by pressing or holding the [RECORD] button, then enable the effect you would like to record. Effects running before RECORD was enabled will be disabled. Only one Roll may be recorded at a time. When recording instant variation change, any change will record to the variation that was active when RECORD was enabled.

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.

This feature allows the user to chain the information from multiple variations together and paste it into the editing variation. Use this feature by holding the [COMPOSE] button, and pressing the [VARIATIONS] you would like to chain. The previous pattern in the editing variation will be buffered and continue to play until the first variation of the chain is pressed.

This feature helps the user extend their pattern length by copying the current pattern and duplicating it out to the new pattern length. Use this feature by first going to the page you would like to extend to. Then hold the [DUPLICATE] button and press [PTN LENGTH]. This will extend all tracks to the end of the viewing page. This function can be applied to tracks individually by holding [DUPLICATE], pressing the corresponding [TRACK SELECT] button, and then pressing [PTN LENGTH].

This feature allows the user to quickly place a step on all pages. Use this function by holding [ENCODER 1] and pressing a [MATRIX] button. This function works in Compose Mode, Burst Mode, and Gate Mode.

CONTRACT allows the user to destructively edit the data as if it were being played at 2x. Use this function by holding [DUPLICATE] and pressing [CLEAR]. Apply this function to a single track by holding [DUPLICATE], pressing the corresponding [TRACK SELECT], and then pressing [CLEAR].

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].

Compose Scenes are 16 sequencable voltage presets for Voltera expanders.

Create a Compose Scene by holding any [MATRIX] button in row 2 and turning the [TRACK KNOB] associated with the output you would like to make a Compose Scene for. Holding this button will audition the scene on the selected outputs as long as the Compose Scene button is held.

Sequence these scenes by pressing the [MATRIX] buttons in row 1. The last select scene will be lit on row 2. This scene will be placed in the sequence when row 1 is pressed. Steps with scene data that is not the currently selected scene will show with a dim LED. Scenes will take priority when Scenes and Voltages are set on the same step.

Access Metron's Internal Clock settings by holding [TEMPO] and turning the encoders. ENCODER 1 changes TEMPO. ENCODER 2 changes SHUFFLE AMOUNT. Quickly set Metron back to 50% shuffle by pressing [ENCODER 2]. The clock input can also be switched between Internal and External in this mode by pressing [ENCODER 1].

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.

Voltera's settings are also accessed in the global menu. These settings are saved per project.

Voltera offers a number of knob input ranges for more detailed entry of control voltage data. Voltera's outputs always offer a -5V to +5V voltage range. The sequence will play as it was written regardless of the current input range. Enter this mode by moving any Voltera knob while viewing Global Settings.

The Voltera user scale allows you to set a custom scale with a custom octave range per output. The user scale is saved and recalled on power up as well as when a session is saved or loaded. Active notes and octave ranges will blink with a breathing pattern.

Voltera offers the ability to slide from one step to the next, similar to popular acid-style sequencers. To enter this display mode, HOLD the [SELECT] button on the Voltera you want to enable slides on and press [ENCODER 1].

Continue to hold [SELECT] and use the [MATRIX] buttons to enable a slide on the desired step for the desired Voltera track. Step led is lit to show voltage is enabled on that step and will blink to indicate slide is active.

Assignable Inputs enable external interaction with Metron's sequencing. Each Assignable Input can be assigned one of 16 different functions. These functions can be enabled or disabled on a per track basis.

Press the Global Settings button to display the assignable input functions and select functions using the MATRIX buttons.

Functions are triggered when an external signal is received through the assign in jacks.

See the chart on the next page for a full list of functions. Functions labeled (A) will take place as soon as they are triggered. Functions labeled (B) will be queued up to occur in sequence as soon as they are triggered. Functions labeled (C) will take place at the next clock step after they are triggered. Functions labeled (D) will be queued up to occur in sequence at the next clock step.

Metron has the ability to interact with modules that support the communication feature commonly referred to as Select Bus. Metron is capable of being a S.BUS master or slave, modifiable from Global Settings, accessed by pressing the [GLOBAL] button. When acting as a slave, Metron will recall one of the 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 to compatible modules on the busboard.

This mode allows the user to send and sequence program change messages to compatible modules on the busboard.

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.

The terms here may be applied in specific ways for this module. They are defined as such to avoid confusion with the "dictionary definition" one might find elsewhere.

More technical specifications about Metron.

See graphics below for explanation of reset output timing.