2020 THE SEMI MODULAR BEAT-MACHINE

WTF! The Granular Effect Firmware for the Noise Engineering Versio Platform

Overview

WTF! is a custom firmware for the Noise Engineering Versio platform, built around the granular engine originally developed for 2020 THE SEMI MODULAR BEAT-MACHINE.

While exploring and experimenting with different setups using 2020 and eurorack gear, I got curious about what would happen if I brought that granular engine over to Versio.

This firmware turns the Versio module into a real-time stereo granular or beat repeat effect. It continuously records incoming audio, maintaining an internal buffer of approximately 90 seconds, breaks it into grains and reconstructs it.

Installation

  1. Download the firmware file and unzip it.
  2. Open the Noise Engineering firmware page in your browser.
  3. Click Select Custom File, then choose WTF.bin.
  4. Click CONNECT to connect your Versio module to your computer via USB.
  5. Click CHANGE FIRMWARE, then wait for the process to finish.
  6. Power up your module and enjoy patching.

Quick Start

  • Set knob positions:
    • SIZE: 12 o’clock
    • DIST/HOLD: fully clockwise
    • PITCH: 12 o’clock
    • JIT/NUDGE: fully counterclockwise
    • SPD/AMP: 12 o’clock
    • VAR: fully counterclockwise
    • PROB: fully counterclockwise
  • Set switch positions:
    • Effect Mode: Granular (center)
    • Grain Mode: Forward (center)
  • Patch your audio source into the IN L and IN R jacks, and patch the OUT L and OUT R jacks to your mixer.
  • Press and hold the button to trigger the effect manually.
  • Patch a trigger signal into the TRIG jack and turn the PROB knob fully clockwise to trigger the effect automatically.

Interface

Frame 2 PROB VAR SPD /AMP SIZE DIST /HOLD MANUAL IN L IN R OUT L OUT R DIST /HOLD JIT /NUDGE VAR TRIG SIZE PITCH SPD /AMP PROB PITCH JIT /NUDGE Repeat Granular Cloud PingPong Forward Reverse

TRIG

Trigger signal input.
When the input changes from LOW to HIGH, the effect is enabled based on the PROB setting.
The BPM used to calculate SIZE is detected from the trigger interval.
The input does not need to be a fixed clock signal; BPM can be detected from a wide variety of rhythm patterns.

Button

Hold the button to enable the effect manually.

Effect Mode

  • Granular (center): The basic granular mode. Incoming audio is split into tiny grains and replayed from shifting positions in the buffer.
  • Repeat: A beat-repeat focused mode.
  • Cloud: A granular mode with a softer, cloud-like texture.

Grain Mode

  • Forward (center): Grains play forward.
  • PingPong: Grains start forward, then reverse halfway through.
  • Reverse: Grains play backward.

SIZE

  • Granular/Cloud: Sets the grain size based on the detected BPM.
  • Repeat: Sets a quantized grain size.

DIST/HOLD

  • Granular/Cloud: Sets the spacing between grains.
  • Repeat: Sets the hold time.

PITCH

  • Granular/Cloud: Sets the grain pitch.
  • Repeat: Controls how the pitch changes over time.

JIT/NUDGE

  • Granular/Cloud: Randomizes grain parameters.
  • Repeat: Sets the nudge amount of the repeat position.

SPD/AMP

  • Granular/Cloud: Sets the playback speed.
  • Repeat: Controls how the amplitude changes over time.

VAR

Applies random variation to Grain Mode, SIZE, DIST/HOLD, PITCH, JIT/NUDGE, and SPD/AMP.

PROB

Sets the probability that the effect will be enabled when triggered.

Happy Patching!

If you discover a cool patch, sound, or trick, I’d love to see it!
Please share it with me:

And if you enjoy this and feel like buying me a coffee, you can do that here:

Buy Me A Coffee