4MS MetaModule v2.0 Update

4MS have released a new firmware update for the MetaModule. The MetaModule is one of a new breed of "virtual modular" products - marrying sophisticated computing power with assignable controls, I/O and an LCD screen. The result is a highly configurable system - Metamodule may replicate a single module or an entire patch - such patches being compatible with VCV rack, as long as the individual modules have been ported to both systems.

Initially, MM offered a set number of modules - a small selection compared to VCV rack, but a huge playground as far as dedicated hardware is concerned. Now, with 2.0, there are many more modules available, alongside a host of other features, let's take a look:

New features

• Graphic screens on modules are displayed with variable update rate. This includes Scopes, waveform display, sequencer grids, visualizers, custom fonts/text...

• Context menus (aka right-click menus) are accessible from MetaModule
• Controls update on screen more accurately: Knobs can "snap" to positions, Modules can change their own params, Knobs/switches with text names like "120BPM" display properly
• Catchup Knob Modes You can select one of three catchup modes to handle what happens when the virtual and physical knobs are not pointing at the same values
• Full-screen module view mode
• CPU optimizations: modules are sorted between cores more efficiently
• File browser: modules that save or load files such as samples can now let users browse the SD Card or USB Drive.
• MIDI Streams: Modules have access to raw MIDI input or output streams
• MIDI Output works (MetaModule is a USB MIDI host
• MIDI Channel is supported for all MIDI mappings (can be exported in the patch from VCV, or set on the MetaModule.
• MIDI Gate on Note can be mapped to knobs/switches/buttons
• More complete support for Rack API, which allows plugins to be ported from VCV Rack to MetaModule easily

 

Modules

• Added all Valley modules as built-ins (no Valley plugin required anymore) - Amalgam, Feline, Interzone
• RackCore: Added CV-MIDI and MIDIToCVInterface modules (Huge!)
• 4ms: MultiLFO has Fast/Slow switch and tempo LED. Bug fixes on EnOsc, KPLS, QCD

 

Plugins

• Many more plugins available for v2.0: about 1400 total modules in 45 brands!
  • New brands in v2.0:
    • Amalgamated Harmonics
    • Bastl (Kompas)
    • Bidoo
    • Cella
    • Fehler Fabrick
    • JW-Modules
    • KRT PluginA
    • MSM
    • Mockba Modular
    • NOI
    • Nozoid
    • Phase Oscillator
    • RPJ
    • Rigatoni
    • Sanguine Monsters
    • Sanguine Mutants
    • Seaside Modular
    • Sickozell
    • Sonus Modular
    • mscHack
    • Squinky Labs
    • Voxglitch

I updated my unit to 2.0 last night, and immediately noticed a couple of exciting things:

• VCV Rack's own Wavetable VCO has been added - previously, MetaModule users have mostly been limited to Plait's or Braid's included waveforms, but now, you can import your own WAV files and get tablin'! Version 2.0's file handling routines made this possible.
• I saw, amongst the new modules, a bunch of modelled Casio CZ waveforms, fun for polyphonic patches.
• There's all sorts of other exotic modules available - granular, wavefolders, CV modulation, sequencing & more. Plenty to explore.

For an introduction to the MetaModule, I've included last year's review. I'm hoping to provide an update to this soon. And of course, go to https://metamodule.info/ for more information.

Posted by MagicalSynthAdventure an expert in synthesis technology from last Century and Amiga enthusiast.

• Broke Beats pt1 - A £37 Interface & Multi FX 16-Sep-26
• Ed O'Brien's Must-Listen Albums 16-Sep-26
• Mic Your Kick Drum Like a Legend 16-Sep-26
• The Pete Doherty Show 15-Sep-26
• Sequential Circuits Studio 440 14-Sep-26