4ms/catalyst-controller

Catalyst Controller

4ms

The Catalyst Controller is a macro controller with eight precision CV outputs and a responsive crossfader to morph between scenes.804

Capabilities 3

CV Recordercv-recorder
Records up to 10 seconds (manual) or 20 seconds (product page) of crossfader and CV motion for looped playback, triggerable via button or external trigger.804
Quantizerquantizer
Each of the eight channels can be independently quantized to one of many scales including semitones, major, minor, harmonic minor, pentatonic, whole tones, and others, or left unquantized.804
Scene Manager / Preset Morphingscene-manager
Stores up to 64 scenes per pathway across 8 banks (plus Classic Bank). Crossfader or external CV morphs between scenes along the pathway.804

Jacks 11 (3 in / 8 out)

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (3)
CVcv0V to 5VControls crossfader position along the pathway. 0V selects the first scene, 5V selects the last scene; added to the physical crossfader position.804
ResetmixedReset jack — not used in current firmware.804
Trigtrigger≥0.7VTrigger input used to start/stop recording and trigger playback of recorded motion. Also functions as clock input for clock divider.804
Outputs (8)
CH1 Outmixed-5V to 10V804
CH2 Outmixed-5V to 10V804
CH3 Outmixed-5V to 10V804
CH4 Outmixed-5V to 10V804
CH5 Outmixed-5V to 10V804
CH6 Outmixed-5V to 10V804
CH7 Outmixed-5V to 10V804
CH8 Outmixed-5V to 10V804

Parameters 15

NameTypeRangeBehavior
CH1 Knobknob-5V – 10VSets output level for the channel in the active scene. Each click changes level by one semitone (~83mV). Hold Fine for 4-cent (~4mV) increments; hold Fine+Morph for 1V/octave increments.804
CH2 Knobknob-5V – 10V804
CH3 Knobknob-5V – 10V804
CH4 Knobknob-5V – 10V804
CH5 Knobknob-5V – 10V804
CH6 Knobknob-5V – 10V804
CH7 Knobknob-5V – 10V804
CH8 Knobknob-5V – 10V804
Clock Dividerknob1 – 256Sets the clock division amount for the Trig jack, used to synchronize recording. Range 1–256, displayed across multiple pages indicated by Scene button LEDs.804
CrossfaderfaderSelects position along the active pathway, crossfading between adjacent scenes. Position added to CV jack input. 4096-point accuracy.804
Morphknob0% – 100%Controls per-channel crossfade behavior along a pathway. At 100%, smooth transitions occur. At 0%, channels jump immediately between scene values. Adjusted per-channel by holding Morph and turning a channel knob.804
RandomknobAdds randomization to all channels on the selected scene. Each click increases the random range by one semitone. Hold Fine+Shift while turning to re-seed all random values on all scenes.804
RangeknobSets the allowed voltage output range per channel. Default is full range (-5V to +10V). Can be limited to +/-5V, +5V, +3V, or +1V. Adjusted by holding Shift+Morph/Range and turning the channel knob.804
Scene Button ModeknobSelects how Scene buttons behave: Momentary (default, active while held), Blind (edit without affecting outputs), or Latch (scene stays active after release). Set by holding Shift and turning CH1 knob.804
SlewknobAdds lag to crossfader/CV motion. At maximum, takes about 4 minutes to traverse a full pathway. Hold Shift+Fine while turning to adjust in smaller increments. Curve can be linear (white) or exponential (yellow), adjusted by holding Shift and turning Channel 5 knob. New in v1.3: also affects scene button changes.804

Firmware history 4 versions

VersionReleasedNotes
1.32024-07Firmware v1.3 adds: Latch Mode for scene buttons, Color Palettes, Slew now affects scene button changes, and eight custom scale slots (created in Sequencer mode).804
1.2Firmware version 1.2: the first Page button is on briefly, then the second Page button turns on during startup.804
1.1Firmware version 1.1: the first Page button stays on for the entire duration of the startup knob animation.804
1.0Firmware version 1.0: the first Page button is on for a moment and then turns off in the middle of the startup animation.804

References 2

  1. [804]
    4ms Company Catalyst Controller Manualmanual
    verified 2026-05-23
  2. [805]
    4ms Company Catalyst Controller product pageproduct_page
    verified 2026-05-23