I had another post about my sequencers, but realized I should have asked for advice on what I have vs buying something else. I have a SQ-1, Mother 32 and Metropolis. There is no way I am using them alone or together as much as I could, but I find myself sort of aimlessly trying things. I also have an Batumi and Maths (new to me) and other sound sources (Dixie and O-Coast). If anyone has some ideas of different patches I might explore, it would be much appreciated. Perhaps something with randomness or clock dividing? Sequencing a sequencer... Or maybe point me to some interesting videos or other sources where I can learn what the heck I am doing. Give me homework assignments! Sorry if this is noobish neediness, but I'm kind of hitting a wall here.
Here is what I have - I made a huge rack to show my semi mods (mother 32, 0-Coast, SQ-1) in there as well, even though they are not mounted in the rack.
-Clock a sequencer with a trigger sequence from another sequencer. - Use a third sequencer to reset both.
do you have a modulargrid link or picture of your system so we can see what all modules your working with?
I have two Mother 32's and often use them for percussion or two opposing bass lines. I'll set them up independently and then trigger them externally with the Run/Stop input. Sometimes I run them both together in a duophonic mode, sometimes with different clocks.
You can set up different sequences on each and use something like a sequential switch to switch between them, making parts to your composition. I haven't used the SQ1 much as I underestimated it and put it away after getting another sequencer. I just pulled it back out and am learning it a bit better, so I'm not great at using it yet.
I think that the thing is to make a master clock and have the rest be slaves of one sort or another... looks kinda like that Metropolis is well suited for that!
The thing is to experiment and learn... I've been months working on timing and making things come together in time; it's a steep hill to climb. I went back to basics and started using a master clock source and logic to get my divisions instead of programming them into a sequencer, basically making my smartest sequencers little more than slaves, but it seem to be working out pretty well for me controlling everything with (boolean) logic. It's really helped me to understand complex rhythms better, gates, flip flops, and how they're used to create them.
Yes I have used metropolis and SQ1 as masters. Metropolis can divide. I think a dedicated small logic module would help me. I really don’t understand what a sequential switch is or does.
Here you go - I made a HUGE rack to include my semi mods (mother 32, 0-Coast, SQ-1) in there as well, even though they are not mounted in the rack.
use one sequencer as normal, to sequence a voice.
think about all the ways you can use outputs from one sequencer to affect the other sequencers.
- the SQ-1 doesn't take many inputs, so it probably makes the most sense in a master or independent configuration.
- the mother-32 has a few gate inputs to control the sequencer (run/stop, reset, hold). these could be fed with gate or CV outputs from another sequencer.
- the metropolis shines because its aux inputs can do a lot. you can punch in a nice melody/theme in the metropolis and mutate it in lots of ways using the other sequencers (or LFOs, etc) to sequence the aux inputs (presumably at a slower clock speed/division).
- pamela's new workout: flexible master clock, plus a lot more.
- branches: super useful way to add randomness to clocks and gates/triggers.
Probably a dead thread, but thanks again for all the advice - it sparked a lot of understanding, ideas, and experimentation. I also spent a little bit and got a little A-151 sequential switch and RCD and am going nuts with new patches with all this and the Metropolis and SQ-1.
In addition, have you tried using the Batumi square wave as you master clock for all sequencers? If you put the Batumi in the correct mode you’ll get a synced divide up/down of the first clock rate on the other three. This will allow you to run some fast, some slow.
a simple a/b switch or crossfader (cv'able!) would be nice to toggle between two sequencer outputs before the source. modulation in musical/tonal sense is a thing which is lets your patches or music reach a different level.
you can think in a type of a simple 'fill' pattern or chorus/verse theme.
just in case you never tried this yet: sequence the cutoff on a slighty resonating filter after time just by closing the filter after a specific time. use the same notes as you sequence the osc or use another sequence.
So about the Sequential Switch, I have an Erica Pico sequ. There is a common jack and 4 switchable jacks, 1,2,3,and 4, and they work in either direction sending one source to one of 4 different destinations or sending 4 different sources to one destination one at a time.
For instance Friday I put a simple sequence into the 2 mothers that played against each other. Then I took 3 voltages from my Triatt into inputs 2,3, and 4 of the switch leaving 1 empty for the original pitch, then I put the common jack to the 1V/Oct on one of the Mothers; by sending a pulse to the clock input of the switch I can now send any one of 4 different offsets to the Mother to change the pitch while keeping the other on the root note for a melodic little diddy.
That's one use of a switch, which is also CV controlable for a bit of randomization.
You could also use the switch to run one sequencer at a time setting up 4 different sequs with 4 different parts, send your clocking signal through the switch and using it to run one at a time switching between 4 different parts. There are many other applications for the switch as well.
Thanks you guys, slumberjack, R. U. Nuts and Parnelli. Since starting this I treated myself to a A-151 Sequential Switch, A-185-2 Precision Adder and a A-156 Quantizer and am discovering there is so much I can do with these modules and my sequencers. I no longer have the burning itch to buy yet another sequencer (perhaps later) and am instead trying to learn all the things I can do with these. It is probably endless! Thanks again and happy new year!
Yeah, now maybe get a cheap and cheerful logic module for your triggers and gates and you have a killer sequencing setup.
Use Ch.1 EOR of maths to clock a sequencer, then use the C.4 to modulate Ch.1 so it speeds up and slows down, then clock a second sequencer with the EOC of Ch.4 to another sequencer for a second voice or parameters. It might need some setting up but might let you get some grooves you never imagined possible!
Very cool! Have a very Happy Wigglin' New Year!
Went a little nuts here - Pico Logic and Pico A Logic. Are they the best choice? For now I think they are and I am sorting things out. And Happy New Year to you too!