A one-page quick reference for the 4ms MetaModule — the button combos, gestures, and shortcuts that are easy to forget. Most SignalFunctionSet VCV Rack modules run on the MetaModule, so this is handy to keep by the rig.
Condensed from the official MetaModule documentation. When in doubt, that’s the source of truth.
The controls everything runs through
- Rotary encoder — the primary selector. It taps, turns, push-turns, and press-and-holds, each doing something different.
- Back button — exits and cancels; also the modifier for switching Knob Sets. Its color shows the active Knob Set (1–8).
- 12 knobs — the physical controls you map to module parameters.
- Screen + button bar —
+adds a module, the Play icon runs the patch, the Action Menu icon opens per-module options.
Essential gestures
| Do this | To get this |
|---|---|
| Push + turn rotary | Adjust the highlighted parameter without mapping it |
| Hold rotary + wiggle a knob | Quick-map that knob to the highlighted parameter |
| Hold rotary + tap Back (release rotary) | Remove the current mapping |
| Hold Back + turn rotary | Switch between the 8 Knob Sets |
| Push + turn rotary on a virtual jack | Cycle through panel jacks to assign one |
Knob mapping & Knob Sets
- A Knob Set maps the 12 physical knobs to virtual module controls. A patch holds up to 8 Knob Sets; one is active at a time.
- One physical knob can drive up to 8 virtual knobs — a multi-map / macro — each with its own MIN/MAX range.
- Map: click a control → choose a Knob Set (or “(new knobset)”) → wiggle the knob → OK.
- Edit: click the mapping on the Knob Set page → set MIN/MAX (swap them to invert) or rename to an alias.
- Switch sets fast: hold Back + turn rotary. (Or Knob Set page →
>>→Use.)
Auto-map (Action Menu)
- Auto-Map All — maps every knob and jack in panel order, creating Knob Sets as needed.
- Auto-Map Knobs (new Knob Set) — maps just the first 12 knobs into a fresh Knob Set.
MIDI mapping
- Turn on MIDI Assign in the Action Menu.
- Hold rotary + send a MIDI CC or Note → maps that control.
- Remove the same way as knobs: hold rotary + tap Back.
- MIDI Knob Set Select (Preferences) — assign a channel + CC to switch Knob Sets from your controller.
- MIDI Feedback (Preferences) — sends mapped values back to the controller (motorized faders, LED rings).
Module Action Menu
| Item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Auto-Map All / Knobs | Auto-create mappings (see above) |
| Randomize | Randomize all of the module’s parameters |
| Initialize | Reset the module to defaults, keeping mappings and cables |
| Presets | Browse/load the module’s factory presets |
| MIDI Assign | Enter MIDI mapping mode |
| Bypass | Stop the module processing, keeping settings and cables |
| Rename… / Reset name | Give the module an alias, or restore the default |
| Replace… | Swap in a different module, optionally keeping cables and maps |
| Delete | Remove the module, its cables, and its mappings |
Patches
Open the file/disk icon in the Action Menu:
- Save — writes the current state (all knob, switch, and button positions, plus mappings) into the patch.
- Duplicate — copy to a chosen name and location.
- Move/Rename — change filename and/or folder.
- Revert/Reload — discard changes since last save.
- Startup Patch — set the patch that loads on boot.
- MIDI Program Change — assign a PC number to load this patch.
- Delete — remove the patch.
Preferences worth knowing
- Sample Rate — 24000 / 36000 / 48000 / 96000 Hz.
- Block Size — 16 / 32 / 64 / 128 / 256 / 512 samples (smaller = lower latency, more CPU).
- Allow patch to override sample rate and/or block size.
- Overrun Retries — how much audio-glitch tolerance per second before backing off.
- Knob Catchup Mode — “Track if knob moves,” “Track when equal,” or “Linear Fade” (controls how a physical knob takes over a value after a Knob Set change).
- Screensaver — timeout, with optional wake-on-knob.
- Missing Plugins Search — Ask / Always / Never when a patch needs a plugin you don’t have.
Expanders
WiFi Expander — wireless patch transfer.
- Connect the 8-pin cable (align the red stripe), provision with the ESP BLE Provisioning app (set prefix to
4MS, pick a 2.4 GHz network). - Status light: red = not configured, light blue = can’t find network, green = connected.
- Find the IP under Settings → Info, then open it in a browser to upload
.ymlpatches, or send straight from VCV Rack (4ms plugin v2.0.9+).
MetaButtons — 8 buttons per module (up to 4 daisy-chained, jumpered as modules 1–4; buttons named B1-1, B2-3, etc.).
- Quick-map: hold rotary + tap a button.
- Button maps belong to a Knob Set. Toggle mode flips between two MIN/MAX values; buttons can also be set to switch Knob Sets.
- Hold Back + press an expander button to switch Knob Sets.
MetaAIO — audio/CV expander adding extra ins and outs. See the 4ms MetaAIO quick start for the current I/O details.
Unofficial reference, compiled from the official MetaModule docs. MetaModule is a product of 4ms Company.