WMD Metron User manual

USER MANUAL
ADVANCED TRIGGER
AND GATE SEQUENCER
METRON

ADVANCED TRIGGER
AND GATE SEQUENCER
METRON

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
4.1.1 Editing / Playing Variation..................................................................................12
4.1.2 Select a Variation for Editing............................................................................13
4.1.3 Follow...............................................................................................................13
End of Variation..................................................................................................13
End of Bar...........................................................................................................13
Instant.................................................................................................................13
4.2 COMPOSE MODE....................................................................................................14
4.2.1 Quick Burst / Quick Gate..................................................................................15
4.3 SINGLE TRACK VIEW..............................................................................................16
4.4 RESET / PAUSE........................................................................................................17
4.5 DUPLICATE..............................................................................................................18
4.6 CLEAR.....................................................................................................................20
4.7 NUDGE.....................................................................................................................21
4.8 PATTERN LENGTH...................................................................................................21
4.9 MEMORY................................................................................................................22
4.9.1 Save Session....................................................................................................22
4.9.2 Load Session at End of Bar..............................................................................22
4.9.3 Load Variation Instant.....................................................................................23
4.9.4 Quick Load 5 Variations Instant......................................................................23
4.9.5 S.BUS Loading.................................................................................................23
4.9.6 Clear Memory Slot.........................................................................................23
4.10 RECORD.................................................................................................................24
4.10.1 Record Manual Gate.......................................................................................24
4.10.2 Record Silence................................................................................................24
5. ADVANCED SEQUENCING.............................................................................................26

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
6.2.1 Roll Track Enable.............................................................................................32
6.2.2 Roll Pattern Replace........................................................................................32
6.2.3 Roll Pattern Special Track Enable....................................................................32
6.3 LOOP.......................................................................................................................34
6.3.1 Loop Track Enable.............................................................................................34
6.4 LATCH FX................................................................................................................34
6.5 INSTANT VARIATION CHANGE................................................................................35
6.6 RECORD FX.............................................................................................................35
7.SPECIALFUNCTIONS.....................................................................................................36
7.1 COMPOSE CHAIN.....................................................................................................36
7.2 DUPLICATE PATTERN LENGTH (DUP.PL).................................................................36
7.3 CONTRACT..............................................................................................................36
7.4 EXPAND..................................................................................................................37
7.5 STEP TO ALL PAGES...............................................................................................37
8.SETTINGS......................................................................................................................38
8.1 TEMPO AND SHUFFLE.............................................................................................38
8.2 GLOBAL SETTINGS..................................................................................................38
9.ASSIGNABLEINPUTS....................................................................................................40
9.1 ASSIGN FUNCTIONS.................................................................................................41
10.S.BUS...........................................................................................................................44
11. SPECS..........................................................................................................................46
12.CREDITS.......................................................................................................................48
13.GLOSSARY...................................................................................................................49

1. INTRODUCTION
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.
A Note From the Designer:
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.
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1. INTRODUCTION

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1.1 CONVENTIONS OF THIS MANUAL
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: RECORD SILENCE.
Messages visible on a screen are written in upper case letters and enclosed in
apostrophes. 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.
1. INTRODUCTION
Blinking LED: Switches
between bright on and off.
Breathing LED: slowly pulses
between bright and dim.
Bright LED
Dim LED

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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.
2. USER INTERFACE AND CONNECTIONS

!The memory card is not hot swappable and should be
present in the unit from startup until shutdown.
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2.1 FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW
I. 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.
III. TRACK SELECT: Multifunction buttons generally associated with their
corresponding track or MATRIX row function.
IV. FUNCTION BUTTONS: Allow the user to perform functions and enter the
different modes on Metron.
V. MATRIX: The main editing and data entry area of Metron. Its function
changes depending on the current mode.
VI. COUNTER DISPLAY: Simple bar counting display that shows total time
elapsed in the system. Various conditions will cause this counter to reset.
Some modes will use this display for text information.
VII. STEP DISPLAY: Normally displays the master track playhead position
of the playing variation. Some modes will use this to display text
information.
VIII.PAGE DISPLAY: Displays the page you are viewing. There are 16 pages but
only a 1 digit display, so pages 9 — 16 are marked 1. — 8. with a decimal.
IX. ENCODER 1: Responds to push as well as turn. Its function is related to the
current mode.
X. ENCODER 2: Responds to push as well as turn. Its function is related to
the current mode.
XI. MEMORY CARD: Metron requires a memory card for all memory
functions. The unit will operate without a memory card, but nothing will
save.
2. USER INTERFACE AND CONNECTIONS

2.2 REAR CONNECTIONS
I. 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.
III. EXP: 2x proprietary bus connectors for connecting multiple Metron
units. One connector has a terminator labeled “EXP TERM.” This
terminator should remain in place at all times.
IV. USB: Development use only. Not for use by customer.
V. BOOT SWITCH: Enables the USB for recovery. Must be set to “NORM”
for Metron to operate.
!The Boot Switch must be set to “NORM” for Metron to
operate. It will not power on if the switch is set to USB.
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2. USER INTERFACE AND CONNECTIONS

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