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github-actions[bot] edited this page Apr 12, 2026 · 4 revisions

voltagecontrolled/catalyst-firmware

Custom firmware for the 4ms Catalyst Sequencer and Catalyst Controller Eurorack modules. Builds on the stock 4ms firmware with two distinct personalities and a richer feature set.

Third-party firmware. Not supported or endorsed by 4ms Company. Flash at your own risk.

Modes

Catalyst Sequencer

The primary firmware personality. Extends the stock sequencer with:

  • Phase Scrub Performance Page — granular orbit window, beat repeat with BPM-locked subdivisions, and per-track scrub participation
  • Phase Scrub Lock — freeze the playhead position for live performance; persists across power cycles
  • Extended ratchets and step repeats — up to 8× ratchet subdivisions; repeats extend effective pattern length
  • Sub-step mask editor — per-sub-step on/off within a ratcheted or repeated step
  • Linked Tracks — CV transpose follow, CV replace follow, and gate-clock follow modes for inter-channel modulation

Catalyst VoltSeq

A second firmware personality sharing the same panel. Turns the module into an 8-channel voltage recorder and step sequencer — a parameter lock style instrument inspired by the Malekko Voltage Block workflow.

  • 8 independent channels, each with its own type (CV / Gate / Trigger), length, clock division, and direction
  • Arm a channel and use the Phase Scrub slider to record CV in real time; encoders edit individual steps
  • Per-step probability and stochastic deviation for CV, Gate, and Trigger channels
  • Polyrhythmic operation — channels run independently at their own lengths and divisions

Switch between personalities without re-flashing. See Catalyst VoltSeq for the switch combo.

Flashing

Both personalities ship as .wav files in each release. Choose the build that matches what you want:

File Contents
catalyst-vX.Y.Z-catseq-catcon.wav Catalyst Sequencer + Catalyst Controller (standard)
catalyst-vX.Y.Z-catseq-voltseq.wav Catalyst Sequencer + Catalyst VoltSeq

How to flash

  1. Download the .wav for the build you want from the Releases page.
  2. Enter bootloader mode: power off the module, then hold Shift + Copy while powering on. Once you release the buttons, Play/Reset should be flashing, indicating the boot loader mode is active.
  3. Connect a 3.5mm audio cable from your computer or phone headphone output to the module's Clock In jack.
  4. Play the .wav at full volume with no EQ or compression. The module's LEDs animate during receive.
  5. Confirm: on success, the LEDs will display a chase animation. Press Play/Reset to reboot into the new firmware. If the flash fails, the top 4 page buttons will flash to indicate an error — press Play/Reset to start over and replay the file from the beginning.

Use a direct cable connection. Bluetooth and USB audio add latency and compression that corrupt the signal.

Resources

Clone this wiki locally