SQ416 4 Channel 16 Step Sequencer


sq416w.JPG (65037 bytes)


GT 16 Channel
Inputs: Outputs: Power Supply:
Clock In 2 x Gate Range 5V
Step 1 pulse out
+/-12V, +5V
Controls: Indicators: Size:
Step Button
Pattern Length (8 to 16)
16x Gate switches:-
(up=channel 1, middle=off, down=channel 2)
16x Step LED's 84HP


CV16 Channel
Inputs: Outputs: Power Supply:
Clock In CV output 5/10V range
Step 1 pulse out
+/-12V, +5V
Controls: Indicators: Size:
Step Button
Pattern Length (8 to 16)
16x CV pots
Range Switch (5/10V)
16x Step LED's 84HP

 


Introduction

The SQ416 is four completely independent analogue sequencers whose only commonality is sharing the same front panel. As each channel is separate having their own clock input and pattern length selection the channels have the advantage of being able to run at different tempo speed ratios and different length. No other multi-channel analogue sequencer can do this. The SQ416 is in fact just like having four 16 step versions of the CV/GT8 in one panel.

The SQ416 comes in 2 versions - 4x Gate channels, or, 3x CV channels and 1 Gate channel.

At present, the SQ416 is one of the only new 16 step sequencers around, and the only one that fits in the Doepfer or Integrator frame. Most makes now only deal with the potentially limiting 8 step versions.

 

Main Applications

Similar to the CV/GT8 but with the advantage of 16 steps: For triggering envelopes, clocking other devices, or controlling CV's.


Controls In Detail - standard operation.

Clock In:
SQ416 channels require a +5V clock signal. Each clock signal will advance the sequencer 1 step. When the last step is reached, it resets back to the first step. Take the clock signal from an LFO, Clock module or MIDI to Clock converter.

Step 1 Pulse Out:
As step 1 is reached, the socket will go high (output +5V). This can be used to trigger other devices or used by the FS01 fill-in modules to count bars.

Step Button:
This allows the sequencer to be manually stepped by step at a time whilst the clock is not running. It can also be used to reset the sequence. As with most analogue sequencers, step it to the last step (8 or whatever is patched) so that when you start the clock, the sequencer starts on position 1.

Note: The step button will only work when any clock input signal is at a low state (0V). So it will note work when the clock input is high. This situation will note arise in normal use, as one would only normally use the step button when the master clock is stopped (making the clock signal low). If the sequencer is being clocked by a clock divider, even when the clock is stopped, it is possible that the clock signal may still be high until reseted.

LED Indicators:
There are 16 LED's. These will light in turn to show step position. LEDs 1, 5, 9, 13 are a different colour for quicker editing.

 

GT16 only:-

Gate Switches:
There are 16 Gate Switches, 1 for each step. They have three positions. When switched up, Gate 1 is active, down, Gate 2 is active, and centre is no Gate. The voltage range is 0 to 5V.

Gate 1/2 Outs:
Either of these two sockets will output a +5V gate when at a particular step, the corresponding switch is in either position Gate 1 or Gate 2. Centre position will result in not Gate from either socket.

The pulse width of the clock input decides the pulse width of the Gate outputs.

 

CV16 only:

CV Out:
This socket will output a control voltage set by the pot for the current step. It can be changed in real time.

CV Pots:
There are 16 CV pots, 1 for each step.

CV Range Switch:
The voltage rangeof the CV output is 0-5V with the switch to the left, and 0-10V when the switch is to the right.

Concussor Modular Synth, Doepfer Modular Synthesizer, Moular synthesiser


Alternative Applications Of Controls:

Clock In:
The sequencer does not have to be stepped through at normal regular intervals as is usual. It can be clocked from any source, such as the gate from a MIDI-CV converter or monosynth, the trigger out of a drum machine such as the TR606/808, or from the gate outputs of other analogue sequencers. This allows it to step through the sequencer rhythmically, as and when you want.

Step Out:
This can be used individually to clock other analogue sequencers, to trigger analogue percussion modules, gate monosynths, or control analogue switching modules such as our Fill In Module.

The step out is basically a divide by 16 clock divide (relative to the clock input signal). Any step output (normally one) can be used to clock something else 16x slower.

CV Out:
If a very high frequency clock pulse is used to step the sequencer (in audio frequencies), the CV pots can be used as a waveform generator. Because of the quantised steps, it will sound digital in form, unless an external slew rate generator (portamento) module is used to smooth the waveform.


More GT16/CV16 Example Patching:

GT16 controlling open and closed hihats (or 2 monosynths);

Gate out 1 to CH, Gate out 2 to OH.

Use a pulse shaper on the clock inputs to change the Gate output pulse widths.

When using a clock other than the MC01 master clock module, (as with all analogue sequencers), you must manually step to the last step of the sequence before you start the clock. This is done automatically when using the MC01.

Using a CV16, GT16 & MC01;

Run one at 1:1 clock ratio, and the other at a divided down clock ratio, say 1:4 for interesting effects. Standard connection to a monosynth to control pitch and gate;

CV16 uses:

CV out to CV in on synth

Split the clock going to the sequencer (using a multiple) and send to Gate in.

 

Filter control of monosynth;

CV out to Filter cut-off input.

Connect CV and Gate of synth to another sequencer or MIDI to CV converter.

 

Alternative connections to a monosynth;

Plug CV out to CV in

Step 1 out to Gate in

The synth will be triggered on the 1st step. If the release time is long, you can still hear the pitch changing with each step, but without the EG re-triggering.

 

To control transpose:

Use 2 CV16s (we'll call them A and B) and a mixer.

Clock the CV16 A 1 step every bar. Clock CV16 B as normal. Feed the output CVs of both through a mixer (like the MX61), then take the output of the mixer to a synth as normal. CV16 A will control the transpose level, changing every bar. CV16 B sets the pattern of notes as normal. This is a handy and easy way of shifting the pitch of all 8 steps up or down with only one pot.