Metropolix and Gx

[Danjel]

Introducing the Intellijel Metropolix!

Metropolix is an interactive sequencer optimized for live performance, jamming, and improvisation — with configurable, hands-on control of all the most essential performance parameters. Sequences transform and mutate with just the twist of a knob; a flick of a switch; a nudge of a slider; or an injection of CV. With Metropolix, your music is as dynamic and evolving as your imagination.

Two Tracks, interconnected
Two tracks (TRK 1 and TRK 2) are variants of a master pitch/gate sequencer, which is programmed via the PITCH sliders, PULSE COUNT and GATE TYPE switches. Each track interprets the master sequence in a variety of ways — creating complementary variations that enable you to generate counterpoint, polyrhythms, and all manner of sonic movement (both subtle and extreme).

Each of these tracks has its own playback ORDER, sequence LENgth, clock DIVision, SWING amount, SLIDE time, and track GATE lengths. Other track-based sequence variables are accessible from the TRACK MENU, and include Pitch Slider inversion; sequence note range; track transposition; and more. In addition, both tracks have multiple lanes of per-stage playback parameters, including: GATE override; PITCH override; RATCHet count; PROBability of playback; ACCUMulating transposition, and a dedicated CV lane. Each stage also has a SKIP feature, and a pitch SLIDE option.

Eight Modulation Lanes
Eight Separate modulation lanes are accessed via the MOD button. Each MOD lane has 8-stages of modulation values and its own playback ORDER, LENgth, and clock DIVision; and each lane is routable to one of Metropolix’ two assignable outputs or to dozens of internal destinations, allowing for sophisticated and powerful self-modulation.

Three AUX Inputs and Two CTRL Knobs
A trio of AUX inputs allows for external modulation of user-assignable sequencer parameters for even greater variation, while two assignable CTRL knobs give you direct access to the parameters you want to adjust most frequently during a performance. With dedicated Pitch/Gate outputs for both Track 1 and Track 2; two totally user-assignable outputs (A and B); and internal MOD routing, Metropolix features a wealth of patching opportunities.

Loopy — Performance Looping
Metropolix also features a Loopy mode, allowing you to instantly play back short sub-sequences, or even “play” the stage buttons directly (like a ‘keyboard’).

64 Total Recall Presets
Metropolix stores up to 64 preset configurations (in 8 banks of 8 presets), and all live settings are stored in EPROM, ensuring that your Metropolix will always power up exactly as you left it — even if you haven’t saved them to a preset. By default presets can change all the structural (menu-based) elements of your sequencer without overwriting the front panel controls, but full recall is also available.

Gx — Gate Expander
Use the optional Gx module to add individual outputs for 8 additional, configurable gate outputs.

Metropolix
Width: 34HP
Depth: 25mm
Power: 95mA @ +12V 10mA @ -12V
MSRP: $579.00 USD

Starts shipping this week (Feb 16th, 2021)

Gx
Width: 4HP
Depth: 22mm
Power: 8mA @ +12V 0mA @ -12V
MSRP: $69.00 USD

Intellijel METROPOLIX Review and full tutorial // The follow up to Metropolis

Metropolix - First look

[Chrissywilly]

Wowza. Very cool. Good work.
Any chance the pitch quantization can include different tunings, or is it all equal temperament?

[slowwild]

Metropolix - intellijel

[studioutopia]

I browsed through the manual, and I am assuming you can’t change sequences/presets with CV (XYZ).
I wish Tetê could do this too.
On Metropolix, it’s nice that you can manually load a preset to start with a reset - great for live performance. but no automation.

[mattmatt]

Woaaah… I need to make some space! I can’t stop thinking Tête+Tetrapad with Metropolix!

[r_omega]

Just finished a careful viewing of the loopop video. Mine is preordered!

[Danjel]

That would be a powerful combo!

[ohexoh]

Looks great!

Btw: the webpage for this has 2x links to the Quadrax Manual.

[Edit] I just read in the manual that Metropolix can use the Quadrax Qx expander (nice!)… so guessing the Quadrax links are intentional.

[kamil]

Yes, the Qx and Gx are the same hardware, just different panel

[peachesandbacon]

Pre-order placed!
Super excited by this It’s been a long time coming.

Glad you guys stuck to keeping the sliders in place and kept it tactile.

Can I ask a question about the two tracks though.
Are you able to create an 8 stage track on track 1 on the pitch and gate sliders and then almost bake or lock those into place, before moving onto track 2 and using the same sliders to set new pitches and gates?

From the looks of Loopop’s video, you can only use the sliders for all 8 stages on one track, and then for the 2nd track you have to use the encoder.

[zengomi]

Intellijel staff:
Regarding firmware update, what is entailed? The currently available Intellijel Firmware Updater does not include Metropolix.

Cool looking sequencer.

[r_omega]

@peachesandbacon

Can I ask a question about the two tracks though.
Are you able to create an 8 stage track on track 1 on the pitch and gate sliders and then almost bake or lock those into place, before moving onto track 2 and using the same sliders to set new pitches and gates?

That’s a good question. The two tracks seem kind of “intertwined” by the pitch and pulse hardware controls, until you do something like you suggested, which would be to change the pitches for one of the tracks manually using the menu screen:

I actually have a feeling that right now, you can’t use the sliders to set the pitch for both track 1 and track 2. That’s a good catch, hopefully Intellijel can confirm this. (I guess it’s also easy to imagine a firmware update where the sliders can control the pitch for both tracks independently–that would be a lot more fun!) It seems like other slider-based multitrack sequencers on the market can do this.

[r_omega]

If I’m not mistaken, the Metropolix firmware is 1.0, there is no update, it ships with the most up-to-date firmware installed…?

[ScottMFR]

@peachesandbacon @r_omega

The tracks share the sliders, but the slider values can be over-ruled by a PITCH edit lane on each track. You can dial in pitch values with the encoder, or you can copy/paste the current slider position into the pitch edit lane. You can copy individual sliders or all of them at the same time. This means that you can set up a sequence on track one with the sliders, copy it to the pitch edit lane, then set up the sequence for track 2 with the sliders and copy paste it to it’s own pitch edit lane, then save all of that as a preset to call up whenever.

It’s also worth mentioning that each track can be set differently in a number of ways, so even though they have the same slider values they will output radically different sequences. For example you can individually set the octave range of the sliders, transpose the track, invert the sliders, and set independent sequence orders, clock divisions, and lengths. Plus a bunch of other stuff I haven’t mentioned, that was just off the top of my head. This thing is deep!

[zengomi]

My understanding is the Intellijel Firmware Updater contains the currently up-to-date firmware. Perhaps the Metropolix is too new to have its FW included, and yet there is a download link at https://intellijel.com/support/:

Metropolis Legacy	Manual (1.30 / 2020.05.12)	1.36Mac / Win
Metropolix	Manual (v1.0 / 2021.02.14)	1.0.0.5Mac / Win

In the case of Metropolis, there are instructions included in the Updater. So I had a look for something similar for Metropolix. Nothing. Thus my question was directed to Intellijel staff.

[ScottMFR]

Metropolix updates via a rear USB port. You just need to hold a button next to the USB port while you power the module up and run the updater. Once a new firmware version is released for Metropolix it will be added to the firmware updater app.

[r_omega]

I guess the question is, do they all ship with 1.0.0.5?

[ScottMFR]

Yes, the ones going to dealers should all have 1.0.0.5.

[sps]

Can we upgrade this from a question to a feature request? Programmable tunings would really make this module sing, pardon the pun, in my mind (ideally with an adjustable 'tave, because Bohlen-Pierce).