Intellijel Tetrapad User manual

Tetrapad Manual
Tetrapad
Multi-Dimensional Performance Touch Controller
Firmware: 1.0
Manual Revision: 2017.11.14

Tetrapad Manual
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Overview
Installation
Before Your Start
Installing Your Module
Panel Reference
Modes Overview
Selecting Modes
Auto-Saving
Mode Reset
Mode 1: Faders Mode
Using Faders Mode
Slew Between Fader Settings
Freeze All Faders
Mode 2: Voltages Mode
Using Voltages Mode
Edit a Button’s Stored Voltages
Randomize a Single Stored Voltage
Randomize all 8 Stored Voltages for a Button
Reset a Stored Voltage to 0V
Slew Between Stored Voltages
Mode 3: Keyboard Mode
Using Keyboard Mode
EDIT VIEW: Assigning Keys According to Scale
PERFORMANCE VIEW: Playing the Keyboard
Slew Between Notes
Mode 4: Custom Keyboard Mode
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Tetrapad Manual
Using Custom Keyboard Mode
Manual Note Assignment
Slew Between Notes
Playing the Keyboard
Mode 5: Drum Mode
Using Drum Mode
Mode 6: LFO Mode
Using LFO Mode
Using LFO EDIT View
Using LFO PERFORMANCE Mode
Mode 7: Switches Mode
Using Switches Mode
Mode 8: Chord Mode
Using Chord Mode
Chord Selection
Slew Between Chords
Performing in Chord Mode
Mode 9: Custom Chord Mode
Using Custom Chord Mode
Note Entry
Slew Between Chords
Performing in Custom Chord Mode
Mode 12: Global Configuration
Using Global Configuration Mode
Firmware Change Log
Technical Specifications
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Tetrapad Manual
Overview
Tetrapad is a versatile, multi-dimensional, touch-sensitive control surface for Eurorack. Each
of its four pads use force sensing resistors to respond to both the vertical position of your
finger and its pressure. Four push encoders and a shift function give you even more tactile
control over your modular system.
Tetrapad operates in numerous modes — each of which configures the module to perform a
specific control task. Through these modes, Tetrapad can emulate a bank of faders; a
voltage storage device; a finger drumming surface; a chord generator; an 8-key keyboard;
four independent LFOs; or an 8-switch panel. The chosen mode determines what type of
signal (CV, note, trigger, gate, etc.) is sent from each of Tetrapad’s eight independent
outputs, while its multitude of multi-colored LEDs keep you informed of exactly what’s
happening within each mode.
Tetrapad automatically remembers how you’ve configured each of its modes, and retains
these settings when powered off. By default, Tetrapad automatically saves its settings every
minute, or whenever you change modes. This makes Tetrapad ideal for live performance,
since you know it will always power up in its most recently saved state.
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Tetrapad Manual
Installation
Intellijel Eurorack modules are designed to be used with a Eurorack-compatible case and
power supply.
Before Your Start
Before installing a new module in your case you must ensure your case’s power supply has
sufficient available capacity to power the module:
● Sum up the specified +12V current draw for all modules, including the new one. Do the
same for the -12 V and +5V current draw. The current draw will be specified in the
manufacturer's technical specifications for each module.
● Compare each of the sums to specifications for your case’s power supply.
● Only proceed with installation if none of the values exceeds the power supply’s
specifications. Otherwise you must remove modules to free up capacity or upgrade your
power supply.
You will also need to ensure you have enough free space (hp)  as well as free power
headers in your case to fit the new module.
You can use a tool like ModularGrid to assist in your planning. Failure to adequately power
your modules may result in damage to your modules or power supply. If you are unsure,
please contact us before proceeding.
Installing Your Module
When installing or removing a module from your case always turn off the power to the case
and disconnect the power cable. Failure to do so may result in serious injury or equipment
damage.
Ensure the 10-pin connector on the power cable is connected correctly to the module before
proceeding. The red stripe on the cable must line up with the -12V pins on the module’s
power connector. The pins are indicated with the label -12V, a white stripe next to the
connector, the words “red stripe”, or some combination of those indicators.
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Tetrapad Manual
Most modules will come with the cable already connected but it is good to double check the
orientation. Be aware that some modules may have headers that serve other purposes so
ensure the cable is connected to the right one.
The other end of the cable, with a 16-pin connector, connects to the power bus board of
your Eurorack case. Ensure the red stripe on the cable lines up with the -12V pins on the
bus board. On Intellijel power supplies the pins are labelled with the label “-12V” and a thick
white stripe:
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Tetrapad Manual
If you are using another manufacturer’s power supply, check their documentation for
instructions.
Once connected, the cabling between the module and power supply should resemble the
picture below:
Before reconnecting power and turning on your modular system, double check that the
ribbon cable is fully seated on both ends and that all the pins are correctly aligned. If the
pins are misaligned in any direction or the ribbon is backwards you can cause damage to
your module, power supply, or other modules.
After you have confirmed all the connections, you can reconnect the power cable and turn
on your modular system. You should immediately check that all your modules have powered
on and are functioning correctly. If you notice any anomalies, turn your system off right away
and check your cabling again for mistakes.
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Tetrapad Manual
Panel Reference
1. Pads 1-4
Four identical touch strips, each of which is sensitive to both vertical position and
finger pressure. Depending on Tetrapad’s current mode, these pads can transmit
trigger signals, gate signals, quantized note values or CV in real time.
2. Level LEDs
Embedded beneath the surface of each pad is a 12 LED ladder. This ladder displays
different parameter values in different modes. When operating as basic faders, the
LEDs represent the level of each fader; when operating as note triggers, they
represent the note value; when selecting modes, they represent the mode number.
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Tetrapad Manual
3. Push Encoders 1-4
Each of the four pads has its own associated push encoder, which functions
differently depending on Tetrapad’s current mode. For example, in Custom Chord
Mode, the encoders assign a note value to each output. In LFO Mode, the encoders
select the pad’s waveform shape. Similarly, pressing the encoder has different
functions depending on the mode. For example, in Faders Mode, pressing an
encoder latches the corresponding fader’s value. Not every pad uses the encoders,
so please read the specific mode discussions to learn what functions are performed
for each mode.
4. Pad Status LEDs 1-4
Some modes use these LEDs to indicate a pad’s status. For example, they may
indicate whether or not a pad’s fader level is latched; or to which octave a note
belongs.
5. Level Labels
This vertical column of text provides meaningful labels to each of the 12 vertically
stacked Level LEDs. On the left are numbers 1-12, which indicate mode numbers.
On the right are note names, which indicate pitch when appropriate to the selected
mode.
6. Mode Select Button
Toggles Mode selection on and off. When Mode Select is on, the eight Output Status
LEDs light up, and the Level LEDs within each of the four pads also light to indicate
which mode is currently selected. To select different modes, rotate any of the four
encoders — all four Level LEDs move up/down to indicate the mode number. Press
the Mode Select button again (or press any encoder) to exit mode selection.
7. Shift Button & LED
Some modes offer additional feature sets, which are accessed by pressing the Shift
Button. For example, LFO Mode’s shift feature switches between Performance and
Edit views. See the individual mode discussions to learn whether or not the Shift
button is used, and what function it serves. The LED immediately above the Shift
button glows green whenever a mode contains a shift feature, and it glows red when
the shift feature is engaged. If the Shift LED is off, then the mode has no shift
feature.
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Tetrapad Manual
8. Outputs 1-8
Outputs CV, pitch, gate or trigger signals depending on the active mode. See the
Modes section to learn the function of each jack in each mode
9. Output Status LEDs
These LEDs serve two functions, depending on whether you’re selecting modes, or
actually using a particular mode. When selecting   modes, the color of these LEDs
glow solid and indicate the type of signal appearing at the output jack for the selected
mode:
Pitch CV
Blue
Gate/Trigger
Magenta
Vertical Position
Green
Pressure
Red
Other CV (i.e. LFO)
Cyan
When using   a mode, both the color and the brightness of the LEDs provide output
status information. For example, a green (position) LED gets brighter when your
finger is higher up the pad; a red (pressure) LED gets brighter the harder you press a
pad; Other modes make additional use of these status LEDs, and will be discussed
in the Modes section of this manual.

 
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Tetrapad Manual
Modes Overview
We designed Tetrapad to provide you with tactile control of your modular synth, plus the
ability to maximize the flexibility with which you wield that control. For this reason, Tetrapad
is a mode-based control surface. Each mode reassigns the four touch pads, four rotary push
encoders, eight outputs, numerous status LEDs and shift button.
Tetrapad currently supports nine different modes (plus a separate global configuration
mode) — each designed to operate as a tactile control surface best-suited for its intended
task. These modes are:
●Mode 1: Faders Mode - This mode gives you 4 pressure sensitive faders, which means
each fader can generate two control voltages: one based on the vertical position of your
finger; and one on pressure.
●Mode 2: Voltages Mode - Voltages Mode divides each pad into two regions — an upper
and a lower — giving you access to 8 voltage banks, each of which can store 8 voltages
(one for each output).
●Mode 3: Keyboard Mode - Keyboard Mode turns Tetrapad into an 8-key keyboard, with
each key capable of sending a different note to Outs 1-4. This mode divides each of the
four pads in two, creating an upper key and a lower key. Touching any pad also outputs
both a trigger and a gate signal, and pads respond to both position and pressure. You
define notes for each key by selecting a keyboard mapping from the built-in Scale
Library and you set a root note with a twist of an encoder. Diatonically shifted versions of
the root scale appear at each of the four outputs and you can rotate these assignments
using another encoder.
●Mode 4: Custom Keyboard Mode - Custom Keyboard Mode is similar to Keyboard
Mode (described above), only instead of automatically assigning keys to a particular
scale, you manually assign a note to each of the eight keys (and for each of the four
outputs, if you wish). Custom Keyboard Mode is for people who want direct control over
the pitch of every key and output, and don’t wish to be constrained by the scales
included in Mode 3’s Scale Library.
●Mode 5: Drum Mode - Drum Mode provides you with four positionally sensitive drum
pads. Each pad generates a gate signal when touched, plus a second CV based on the
vertical position of your finger. Since each pad generates a gate no matter where you
tap it, this mode is ideal for “finger” drumming, but with the possibility of additional
expression via the positional output CV.
●Mode 6: LFO Mode - LFO mode turns Tetrapad into four independent LFO’s, each with
its own rate and waveshape, and with each pad offering a pressure output for additional
modulation options.
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Tetrapad Manual
●Mode 7: Switches Mode - In this mode, Tetrapad becomes an 8-switch control panel,
which you can configure as either toggle switches or momentary switches.
●Mode 8: Chord Mode - Chord Mode stores a unique 4-note chord for each of the four
pads. Touching a pad transmits the four notes to the first four outputs, enabling you to
play one-finger chords (if you use multiple oscillators).  Touching any pad also outputs
both a trigger and a gate signal, and pads respond to both position and pressure. Define
a chord for each pad by selecting it from the built-in Chord Library, and alter the root
note, inversion and chord rotations using the encoders.
●Mode 9: Custom Chord Mode - Custom Chord Mode is similar to Chord Mode
(described above), only instead of using the encoders to select chords, roots, inversions
and rotations, you manually assign — pad-by-pad and output-by-output — each note in
each chord. Custom Chord Mode is for people with chord requirements that extend
beyond those included in Mode 8’s Chord Library.
In addition, there is a special global configuration mode, which is assigned to Mode 12:
●Mode 12: Global Configuration - This is a “special” mode, which you use to configure
Tetrapad’s pressure response to match your own preferences. Unlike the first eight
modes, Global Configuration mode is not meant for performance nor for controlling other
modules.
Selecting Modes
To select different modes on Tetrapad:
1. Press the white Mode Select button to enter Mode Selection.
2. Rotate any of the four encoders to select the desired mode.
The Level LEDs embedded beneath each pad will move up or down the pads. The
position number (as indicated by the Level Labels in the middle of the Tetrapad)
corresponds to the mode. So if the row of Level LEDs next to Level Label 4 is lit,
then you’re selecting Mode 4; if the row of Level LEDs next to Level Label 7 is lit,
then you’re selecting Mode 7; etc.
Note that the eight Output Status LEDs will change colors as you cycle through the
modes. These colors indicate what type of signal appears at each output for each
mode. These will be discussed in the mode-specific sections of this manual.
3. Press the white Mode Select button again to exit mode selection.
Your Tetrapad will now operate in this mode. Note that you can also click any of the
four encoders to exit mode selection.
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Tetrapad Manual
TIP:   If   you   forget   what   type   of   signal   appears   at   each   of   the   eight   output   jacks,   simply   press
the   white   Mode   Select   button   —   the   LEDs   under   each   jack   light   to   indicate   the   type   of   signal
present   at   that   jack   (as   discussed   earlier,   under   “Output   Status   LEDs”).   Press   the   Mode
Select   button   again   to   exit   mode   selection.
Auto-Saving
Tetrapad automatically remembers how you’ve configured each of its modes, and it retains
these settings when powered off. By default, Tetrapad automatically saves its settings every
minute, or whenever you change modes. This makes Tetrapad ideal for live performance,
since 1) you know it will always power up in its most recently saved state, with all your
modes intact, and 2) you can switch freely between modes in a performance, and know that
each mode will always be set exactly the way you last left it.
Mode Reset
In spite of the obvious advantages gained by Tetrapad’s Auto-Save feature, you may
sometimes prefer to program a mode “from scratch” rather than modifying a previously
saved configuration. For this reason, Tetrapad provides a Mode Reset feature:
1. Press the white Mode Select button to enter Mode Selection, and rotate any of the four
encoders to select the mode you wish to reset.
2. Press the red Shift button and, while holding it down, exit Mode Selection (by clicking
either the white Mode Select button or any of the four push encoders).
Tetrapad resets that mode to the factory default settings.
NOTE:   You   can   also   reset   all   Modes   simultaneously   (along   with   the   Global   Configuration
Settings)   by   using   this   same   technique   with   Mode   12   selected.
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Tetrapad Manual
Mode 1: Faders Mode
Press the white Mode Select button and rotate any of the four encoders to select Mode 1,
which occurs when the row of Level LEDs light next to Level Label 1. Press the white Mode
Select button again (or press any encoder) to exit mode selection.
Faders Mode gives you 4 pressure sensitive faders, which means each fader can generate
two control voltages: one based on the vertical position of your finger; and one on pressure.
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Tetrapad Manual
Using Faders Mode
1. Slide a finger up and down each pad, just as if you were moving an actual fader.
Alternately, you can simply tap a pad anywhere along its vertical scale, and the fader will
jump to that level directly (using a slew rate you define, as discussed shortly).
Tetrapad sends each fader’s vertical position CV to its odd numbered output. That is,
Pad 1 sends fader values to Out 1; Pad 2 sends fader values to Out 3; etc.  Each
Output Status LED lights green to represent the presence of a CV signal, while the
brightness of each LED indicates its absolute value, from 0 to +5V.
2. Press down on a pad to send an additional pressure-sensitive CV to the corresponding
even numbered output.
That is, Pad 1 sends its pressure value to Out 2; Pad 2 sends it to Out 4; etc. Each
Output Status LED lights red to represent the presence of a pressure CV signal,
while the brightness of each LED indicates its absolute value, from 0 to +5V.
3. Press a fader’s corresponding encoder to latch that fader.
Latched faders are indicated by a blue Pad Status LED and can be assigned on a
fader-by-fader basis. When a fader is latched, it remains at the last level touched —
much like a real fader on an analog mixing console. When a fader is unlatched (the
Status LED is off), it snaps back to its minimum value when you release it — much
like the spring-loaded modulation wheel used by some synths.
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Tetrapad Manual
Slew Between Fader Settings
If you prefer to tap faders (rather than drag them) or if you use latch mode, you’ll appreciate
the ability to set the rate at which fader values move from one touched level to the next.
Each of Tetrapad’s four faders can have its own slew rate.
1. Hold down the red SHIFT button and rotate the encoder above each fader to set its slew
rate.
Clockwise turns increase the time it takes to move from one fader value to another
(up to a maximum of about 4 sec to move between min/max levels).
Counterclockwise turns decrease the amount of time it takes to move from one fader
value to another (down to “instantaneous”).
Slew times are indicated by a red Pad Status LED above each fader — with an LED
glowing increasingly brighter as the slew gets longer. Since latched faders cause the
Pad Status LED to turn blue, slew rates applied to a latched fader cause increasing
amounts of red to mix with the blue LED, ultimately resulting in a purple LED at
maximum slew rate.
Freeze All Faders
You can freeze the position and pressure level of each fader at its current level.
1. Press the red Shift button to freeze the output of each fader (including its pressure
value).
The Shift LED will glow blue, and any faders currently slewing to a new value will be
frozen mid-slew. Any currently unlatched faders will also freeze at the current
position of your finger, regardless of whether they’re latched or not.
2. Press the red Shift button again to unfreeze the faders.

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Tetrapad Manual
Mode 2: Voltages Mode
Press the white Mode Select button and rotate any of the four encoders to select Mode 2,
which occurs when the row of Level LEDs light next to Level Label 2. Press the white Mode
Select button again (or press any encoder) to exit mode selection.
Voltages Mode divides each pad into two regions — an upper and a lower — giving you
access to 8 stored voltages per OUTPUT! That’s right, each of Tetrapad’s eight outputs has
its own bank of 8 virtual buttons, each of which can store a voltage value specifically for that
output, meaning you have 64 voltage storage locations in total.
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Tetrapad Manual
Imagine pushing a single button that sends one voltage to a filter’s frequency, another
voltage to resonance, a third to a Quadra Expander’s attack CV and a fourth to its decay
CV. You could use the fifth output to change waveshapes on a Shapeshifter, and the sixth to
set the amount of wave folding. Output 7 could change the grain size in Rainmaker, while
Out 8 could adjust its wet/dry mix. In other words, used this way, Voltages Mode is almost
like having patch memory within Eurorack.
Using Voltages Mode
Each pad is divided into two regions: an upper and a lower, meaning you have eight voltage
storage locations, each accessed by its own virtual “button.”
1. Touch one of the eight virtual buttons to transmit up to eight different voltage values from
each of Tetrapad’s eight outputs.
Notice that a group of four Level LEDs light on the pad, indicating which virtual
button you just touched.
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Tetrapad Manual
Edit a Button’s Stored Voltages
1. Touch one of Tetrapad’s eight virtual buttons to select it for editing (each of the four pads
is divided into two regions: an upper half and a lower half, giving eight virtual buttons).
2. To assign voltages to Outputs 1 - 4, make sure the Shift LED is green, then rotate
encoders 1 - 4, which assigns voltages to Outputs 1 - 4 respectively.
NOTE:   If   the   Shift   LED   is   currently   red,   push   the   Shift   button   to   toggle   it   to   the   green
state)
Turning an encoder clockwise assigns increasingly higher positive voltages (up to +5
V), which are indicated by the intensity of the Output Status LED, which glows green
to indicate that the voltage is positive.
Turning an encoder counter-clockwise sets increasingly larger negative voltages (up
to -5 V), which are indicated by the intensity of the Output Status LED, which glows
red to indicate the voltage is negative.
3. To assign voltages to Outputs 5 - 8, make sure the Shift LED is red, then rotate
encoders 1 - 4, which assigns voltages to Outputs 5 - 8 respectively.
NOTE:   If   the   Shift   LED   is   currently   green,   push   the   Shift   button   to   toggle   it   to   the   red
state.
Randomize a Single Stored Voltage
Those of you who prefer the serendipity approach to sound design will appreciate
Tetrapad’s random voltage assignment feature. To randomize a single output voltage:
1. Touch and hold the desired button (do not release your finger from the pad). Then, with
your finger still on the virtual button, rotate the encoder assigned to the output you wish
to randomize.
For example, if you hold your finger on the top left virtual button while turning
Encoder #2, then with each click of the encoder, you will assign a new random
voltage to Output 2 (or Output 6 if the Shift LED is red).
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Tetrapad Manual
Randomize all 8 Stored Voltages for a Button
Those of you who prefer the serendipity approach to sound design and who like it applied
judiciously will appreciate this feature, which lets you select a virtual button and randomize
all 8 Outputs simultaneously.
1. Touch and hold the desired button (do not release your finger from the pad). Then, with
your finger still on the virtual button, press Tetrapad’s little red SHIFT button.
A random voltage will be assigned to each of that button’s 8 outputs. Each time you
press the SHIFT button, you’ll generate a new set of 8 output voltages.
Reset a Stored Voltage to 0V
1. Touch and hold the desired button (do not release your finger from the pad). Then with
your finger still on the virtual button, press the encoder assigned to the output you wish
to reset to 0V.
For example, if you hold your finger on the top left virtual button while pressing
Encoder #3, then Output 3 will reset to 0V (or Output 7 if the Shift LED is red).
Slew Between Stored Voltages
Normally, each time you tap a different button, Tetrapad instantly sends the corresponding
voltages to the 8 outputs. But Tetrapad also give you the ability to slew this voltage change
— meaning it’s possible to “morph” between different collections of stored voltages, resulting
in smooth (rather than instantaneou) changes.
1. Press the red Shift button and continue holding it while turning Encoder 1.
Clockwise turns increase the time it takes to move from one voltage value to another
(up to a maximum of about 4 sec to move between min/max levels).
Counterclockwise turns decrease the amount of time it takes to move from one fader
value to another (down to “instantaneous”).
Slew times are indicated by a red Pad Status LED above each fader — with an LED
glowing increasingly brighter as the slew gets longer.
Note that slew time is a global setting within Voltages Mode, meaning the rate of
change affects all buttons and all outputs simultaneously.
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