From ms20@u.washington.edu Fri Jul 22 12:26:26 1994 Date: Thu, 21 Jul 1994 10:40:27 -0700 (PDT) From: HIgH TeCH To: analogue Subject: Analogue Sequencer Datafile (V. 1.0) (Long!) This is my attempt to create an overview of the different types of analog sequencers that have appeared over the years. I'm mainly interested in the ones that have knobs and are performance friendly, but if enough people request them, I'll include stuff like the Roland MC4 and MC8, TB303, MC202, etc... I'm looking for information on any that I haven't listed so far. These include models by Sequential, ARP, Moog, Buchla, EML, EMS, Aries, and anyone else. If you want to add anything just send it to me via email (ms20@u.washington.edu) or if you'd rather, send me a photocopy of any info you have. Here's what I have so far: Korg SQ-10 Moog 960 Roland 104 Roland 182 Roland 717A Serge Modular Music Systems ----- "Here's what I know of the Korg SQ10 : - 3 X 12 Channel Analog sequencer, pot adjusted. The pots are a *nightmare* to set up. Each note has to be individually tuned. Channel 3 is normally reserved for the note length. - Channels 1 & 2 are effectively connected to a single CV/Gate output. A switch allows the sequencer to sequence these channels in a few different ways : (1) Channel A . Stop (2) Channel A Channel B Stop (3) Channel A channel B Channel A Channel B ..... free-running (4) (5) (6) All the above, except single-stepped with a push button. This is most useful for tuning each note. Channel C runs in time with the other two channels. It's CV output can be routed to the sequencer clock CV input, effectively controlling the on-time for each note. This means that the note on time for note 1 of channel one is the same for not 1 of channel 2. - Beside the sequencer mode switch is the (large) Tempo adjust knob. It can be made to run *very* fast!! - Gate signals can be extracted for each note, the idea being that the last note of your sequence Gate signal is sent to the reset input, thus defining the sequence length. - There is a portamento knob for each of channels A and B. Both channels have a +-1V , +-5V switch, for switching the range of the two banks of 12 pitch knobs. - Duty Cycle is adjustable (1 knob only) for the gate output signal. - The sequence can start/stop from an external foot switch, or single-stepped. - The instrument itself, is about 14" wide, by 8" high and 4" deep. It's black, with white lettering, and there are three distinctive rows of 12 knobs across the front of the instrument. - Input / Outputs (as far as I can remember) : CV out. Channels A & B gate out. 12 Gate out signals (for each note) Reset Sequence input. Sequence start/stop input. Tempo input (CV). Single step input. - There's a neat little 2-channel mono mixer built in. This is accessible from three 1/4" jacks on the front panel. It just sums the two inputs and sends them out. I think this is about it. Everything, including sockets, is on the sloping front panel of the machine. It also has a neat bunch of LEDs, one for each note of Channels A and B (none for C). There's a tempo LED, too." (Peter Cassidy) "No idea about the former two, but as an owner of an SQ-10, I can say this. You can store up to 24 individual voltages (organised into three sets of eight) which can be played back in several different modes, from looped sequentil to three-row parallel. Triggering options are huge - the clock does in and out, manual clocking is possible, and by using the eight trigger outs (one under each column) you can form arbitrary length sequences. Being a Korg, it'll only talk to other Korgs unless you can find some way of inverting the trigger, and converting the voltage from linear tracking to the more common log tracking of 1 volt per octave. Because of this, even though there is a voltage summer on the SQ-10, you can't just add the keyboard voltage and the sequencer output voltage together and expect to be able to 'change key' whilst playing a sequence by holding down the appropriate key on the keyboard (something which is an expected feature of other sequencers)." (Geoffrey Peters) "Some special features that this sequencer offers trigger outputs for each of the 12 steps, Portamento for Channel A and B, and externally controllable clock speed, etc..." "If one compares the SQ-10 with the sequencer from the Moog modular systems, one will determine with amazement that it offer more power to the user and with that is even easier to operate." Excerpts from Keyboards (c) 10/84 ----- MOOG 960 Sequential Controller * Three independent programmable voltage sequences, with switch selection of range. * Voltage controlled internal clock oscillator, with manual voltage control of start and stop functions. * Switch selection at all sequence steps of normal, skip, or stop functions, during performance. * Voltage trigger inputs and outputs for each sequence step. * Indicator lights for operational status and sequence position. "The sequencer complemement produces a wide variety of programmed voltage levels in a sequence, at a rate determined either by the internal clock oscillator or an external signal. The voltage level pattern can be used as a single output with up to 24 "steps" or as three outputs with up to 8 steps. It is commonly used to produce a melodic line, a chord progression, or simultaneous control of up to three parameters of the sound." (Moog Synthesizers Brochure (c)1976) ----- Roland System 104. ( I believe it was made for the system 100. ) 1-24 steps, parallel and series modes, Trig step in, trig start in, trig stop in, CV speed in. 2 gate outs, 2 series outs, 2 sequence a outs, 2 sequence b outs. (fEEd) ---- Roland 182 Analog Sequencer "A two channel, eight step analog sequencer for producing control voltage changes in sequence to produce such things as melodic patterns, patterned tone color changes, etc. In series mode, voltage sequences of up to 16 steps may be programmed. In parallel mode two independent voltages can be preset for each of up to eight steps, or one of the channel outputs can be used to control the sequencer clock so that the timing between each step in the sequence can be different. Several sequencers may be used in series for longer sequences, or in parallel for more channels of simultaneous output." Features: Tempo Control: 7sec-3ms (0.14Hz-33Hz * Portamento:0-10sec Channel 1 only * Gate Time: 10%-90% * CV out: 0-3V/0-10V * Gate Out: +14V, Impedance less than 2Kohm * Tempo CV Input: 0-10V, Impedance 120Kohm * Trig. In: +5-15V more than 1ms, Impedance 50 Kohm * End Pulse Out: +14V 10ms, Impedance less than 3.3Kohm. (Roland Keyboards, Vol.3 (c)1983) ---- Roland 717A "An ANALOG SEQUENCER with easy control of step time and features for recording successive sequences without breaks in rhythm, as well as analog switching." * The 717A ANALOG SEQUENCER is a 3 channel, 12 step sequencer. * In series mode, control voltage sequences of up to 36 steps can be programmed by means of the VOLTAGE REGISTERS. * In parallel mode, the 3 channel feature permits three voice sequences, or simultaneous control of the three qualities of sound: pitch (VCO frequency), tone color (VCF cutoff point), and loudness (VCA gain). * Each channel has a three position (2V, 4V, 10V) RANGE SWITCH for control of VOLTAGE REGISTER sensitivity. * The divisions (1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32) of the STEP TIME DIVIDE controls make assignment of time values for each note in a sequence very simple, saving much time in programming a sequence. * The STEP TIME, FINE controls allow the setting of the timing of each step at any point between the STEP TIME DIVIDE control settings for programming dotted notes as well as for programming accelerando, rubato, etc. * The MODE switches and STEP SELECTOR control in the SERIES OUT section allow for extremely versatile control of the number of steps in each sequence. * Total speed (tempo) of the sequence is controlled by the CLOCK OSCILLATOR. The CLOCK can also be controlled externally either by a control voltage or pulses (recorded on tape, for example). The PULSE WIDTH knob controls the width of the gate pulse output. * The MASTER CONTROLLER allows for either manual or external control of the sequencer run functions. With START, the sequence will always start with Step 1 (Channel A in series mode). Pressing END, the sequence will continue to run until it reaches the END STEP (selected by the STEP SELECTOR in the SERIES OUT section), then stop automatically. The output of the END PULSE OUT jack can be used for triggering the START function for recording the new sequence immediately after the previous sequence without any break in rhythm. * The NORMAL/HOLD switches allow for holding of a VOLTAGE REGISTER setting over into the next step (or beyond). At the CLOCK OUT jacks, there will be no gate pulse for those steps whose NORMAL/HOLD switch is in the HOLD position, thus allowing for the programming of rests in a sequence. * The MANUAL buttons allow manual selection of any step in the sequence for setting, changing, or checking the VOLTAGE REGISTERS. * The GATE OUT jacks allow individual gate pulses from each of the steps to be used for separate functions. * The ANALOG IN jacks allow the sequencer to be used as an analog switching device. Thes jacks will accept control voltages or audio signals. With audio signal inputs, the VOLTAGE REGISTERS act as output sound level controls. * The PULSE SHAPER section reshapes pulses (as recorded on tape, for example) so they can be used for triggering or controlling the sequencer." (Roland System 700 Brochure (c)1978) ---- "Features common to all the SEQUENCER PROGRAMMERs (SQP4-8) include the ability to be used as push-button, manual programmers and/or as multi-versatile sequencers. As in the Touch Keyboard, the length of sequences can beprogrammed interractively via the pushbuttons: thus sequence lenghts can be changed in performance while a sequence is running. Other sequencing capabilities include RESET, UP/DOWN, HOLD STAGE SELECT inputs allow triggers from other modules to turn specific stages on. Doubled output jacks are for use with a built-in Quantizer. A unique feature is the A-B output (read A minus B). This outputs the difference between the voltages available separately at A and B, a feature resulting in interesting harmonic effects when the three outputs are controlling VCOs." "The real power of the new shorter length Sequencer Programmers, however, is their use in tandem with one another. Two sequencers are more interesting than one. They can be phased one against the other with each other, providing an incredibly varied pallette of rhythmic patterns. A master unit can control one or more slave sequencers, resulting in highly controllable flurries of tonal sequences being modulated both harmonically and rhythmically." "The series includes 4,5,6,7 and 8 stage Sequencer-Programmers taking up one inch more Panel space than they have stages (two inches more, if the built-in Quantizer is included). The exception is the SEQUENCER (SEQ8), a module with only two rows of output presets, but with 8 stages of sequencing in only four inches." -- "The TOUCH ACTIVATED KEYBOARD SEQUENCER (TKB) is an extremely versatile manual and automatic controller, combining the functions of a touch-sensitive keyboard, a voltage programmer (pre-set selector), and a sequencer. As a keyboard-programmer it permits the performer to access up to 16 separate stages of 4 voltage presets and trigger pulses. The touch programmer can be used to change the settings of other modules through voltage control, altering the characteristics of a sound patch and routing/switching events in live performance or in the studios. Additionally the keyboard produces a scale of equal interval voltage "notes" and generates a common trigger pulse which duplicates the function of traditional synthesizer keyboard. This equal-interval voltage can be set to produce the chromatic scale, or any equal division of the muscial scale (6 notes per octave, 3 notes per octave, 24 notes per octave, etc.) A PRESSURE output senses the amount of area touched on the touch pads and produces a corresponding control voltage. This feature allows an additional expressive parameter to be controlled while playing the touch pads." "As a sequencer this module permits a wide variety of sequencer effects, since the 16 stages can be programmed to go forward and reverse, can be set to run through any desired number of stages (from 1 to 16), and can be triggered to skip among the stages in a semi-random pattern. These sequencer functions can be further enhanced using the touch keyboard to interact with the sequencer so that the sequence length and stage access can be programmed at a touch in actual performance. In addition, a second four-stage sequencer is built in to sequence vertically through the four rows (A,B,C,D) making it possible to switch from one sequence row to another and to produce sequences up to 64 stages in length." "Specific features include light-emitting diodes on each stage for immediate visiual indication of sequencer/programmer activity, dual RESET inputs for a variety of rhythmic effects, and a HOLD function to disable sequencing. The KEYS switch is included to partially disconnect the keyboard functon from the sequencer. This allows the user to use the KV (Key Voltage), KP (Key Pulse), and PRESSURE outputs from the keypads as strictly manual controller, independently of the 16 stage sequencing action." Serge Modular Music Systems Catalog and Data Sheets ------