Intellijel’s Metropolix & Multigrain: Rhythmic Patch Alchemy in Eurorack

The video opens with a clear mission: harness all eight of Multigrain’s available sounds and sequence them with the Intellijel Metropolix. The patch begins by routing Multigrain’s stereo outs through Sealegs and then to the main outputs via Stereo I/O, establishing a clean audio path. To provide a rhythmic backbone and clock source, an Elektron Digitakt is patched in, its audio routed through the case and its MIDI sync sent to MIDI 1U. This ensures everything ticks along in time, with Metropolix receiving clock and run signals for tight sequencing.

The heart of the patch is the interplay between Metropolix’s sequencing and Multigrain’s sound selection. Output A from Metropolix is patched to Multigrain’s select input, allowing the sliders to address each of the eight sounds directly. Track 1’s gate output triggers Multigrain, while the Metropolix clock output is multed to keep Sealegs and Multigrain in sync. This setup lays the groundwork for complex rhythmic textures, with the flexibility to expand the patch further if desired.

With the patch in place, the focus shifts to loading and tuning samples within Multigrain. Eight samples from a factory project are loaded, covering both melodic and rhythmic territory. The video demonstrates how to fine-tune melodic elements for better harmonic cohesion—using the ALT function and pitch knob for precise adjustments, and quickly switching between sounds to keep everything in tune.

Metropolix’s sliders are then used to sequence through the sounds in order, with the loopy function providing a handy way to preview and audition each stage. By manipulating track division and playback, the host shows how to create evolving patterns and looped textures, making full use of the granular engine’s flexibility. The workflow is designed for hands-on experimentation, encouraging users to build and refine patterns in real time.

A key feature highlighted is the ability to edit all eight sounds simultaneously using the latch and scene buttons. This makes it easy to tidy up chaotic textures—reducing grain size, switching to exponential shapes for percussive impact, and unlinking rate from size for more nuanced control. The quantizer is set up per sound, ensuring all samples stay harmonically related when pitch is manipulated globally.

The video then explores scene morphing, using the morph fader to transition between two distinct sonic states. By editing parameters on scene B and morphing between A and B, the patcher uncovers a range of timbral possibilities. The morph input can be modulated externally for even more movement, and subtle tweaks to tone and grain parameters help carve out space in the mix. Syncing grains to the clock is demonstrated, showing how rhythmic precision or chaos can be dialled in as needed.

Sample swapping is presented as a powerful way to refresh the pattern—simply select a sound, use ALT to access folders, and audition new samples on the fly. The workflow supports both global and individual sound editing, with the ability to fine-tune, adjust size, or add blur for textural interest. Metropolix’s play order and stage offset controls are mapped to knobs, allowing for instant pattern rearrangement without disturbing slider positions.

The host demonstrates how pulse count and gate type switches can break up the rhythm, and how setting a consistent pulse length helps maintain structure. Modulation is brought in via Quadrax, with looping envelopes assigned to Multigrain parameters for evolving soundscapes. The latch and scene button combinations make it easy to assign modulation across multiple sounds, opening up even more creative territory.