Modular sequencing for pop songs

[drewtoothpaste]

Hook a keyboard up to your modular and play the song...

[Somatic]

Not evertones a keyboard player Drew...

[DREIPOLAR]

the sequentix cirklon is the way to go. from what i understand it has direct cv outs and it doesnt get more poppy than this:

[video][/video]

[Popski]

A155/154 and the doepfer voltage adder. Dial in a cool sequence and then transpose either with another slower sequencer or from a keyboard (I use the sh-101)...

but, I must admit that I'm even too impatient most times for that and just reach for the j8 or monopoly's arpeggiator and come up with cool sequences that way.

[NV]

Where the heck do I start? Is there some kind of modular sequencer review blog for 5U systems that I can read up on?

...Still needs supplementary modules like quantizer and seq switch stuff, and God knows what else. Do I need a clock?

Is there a checklist or guide of some sort that can help with this?
--sequencer
--quantizer bank
--quantizer aid
--seq. switch
--more?

I'll write you up a little run down on some of the sequencing basics. The important thing to remember is that while modulars seem pretty intimidating at first, once you sit down and actually use them they are far more intuitive than most of the self-contained menu-diving synths out there.

You can accomplish very basic sequencing in a huge variety of ways in a modular - you can pull it off with crafty tricks, or you can do it with a self-contained sequencer. A good example of a self-contained unit would be the Q960, which has it's own clock, CV rows, and trigger/gate outputs. Getting into more complex sequences just consists of adding to the basic sequence framework. There are modules that you can "push" into being sequencing type modules that normally may not be, but for the sake of simplicity I'll focus on the less convoluted options and their basic functions.



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Sequencers

You probably understand this component but just to start off, a sequencer is anything that can produce a set voltage on each "step." You can pull this off with something like a Q960, or you can do it through tricky means using Sample & Holds, synced LFOs, and all sorts of other things. The big thing that turns something into a sequencer is the idea that you can set a voltage and have it change on each "step" via clocking it, typically in an organized and predetermined way.

Sequencers often consist of CV outputs and trigger/gate outputs. The CV outputs are the knobs - some uses would be determining the pitch of an oscillator or the frequency of a filter. The trigger/gate outputs are often switches/rotary knobs - one use for these would be to trigger an envelope so that each note is it's own unique note rather than a constant stream from one note to the next. Some sequencers like the Moon Modular 563 only output trigger signals, while others like the STG Voltage Mini-Store only output CV values.


Clocks

Clocks "run" a sequencer - they are oscillators which spit out a trigger or gate at a frequency you set. Whenever most sequencers receive a sudden "rising edge," like those seen at the very beginning of a clock or gate signal, it will advance to the next step of the sequence.

Clocks can be square wave outputs from LFOs and audio oscillators, they can be devoted clock modules, or they can be built right into a sequencer. The clock section of the Q960 is basically a devoted square wave oscillator - turn the frequency range up and the clock will go faster. Put a control voltage into the CV input and you can manipulate the clock speed via CV.


Sequential Switches

Sequential switches are modules that "switch" from one input/output to the other whenever it receives a clock - hence a sequenced switch. These modules have various uses, but the most basic use is to turn a multi-row sequencer like the Q960 into a single long sequence. Using the Q962 as an example, take the 3 CV outputs of the Q960's 3 rows and run them into the 3 CV inputs of the Q962. Then take the output signal of the Q962 and run it into a CV input on an oscillator. Whenever the Q962 receives a clock signal at the "Shift" input, it will change from one of the CV rows of the Q960 to the next. You can choose when the Q962 will receive this clock signal by taking one of the trigger outputs of the Q960 and running it into the Shift input to time it so it shifts at the beginning of each row, or you could use a clock divider to pull off something a bit more interesting.


Clock Dividers

A clock divider takes an incoming clock signal and spits out a clock signal once it receives a certain amount of clock signals at the input. In other words, it takes a clock signal coming in and "divides" it so that you get a clock signal in every division of 4, 8, or whatever value you set. There are typically preset division values on a clock divider coming out of separate jacks, although some have the ability to choose a particular value for each stage.

Using the Moon Modular 554 as an example, let's say you want your sequential switch to change every 8 steps. Take the same clock signal you're using to clock your sequencer and run it into one of the clock inputs of the 554. Set that clock divider to /8, then run the output to the Q962's shift input. Now every time that section of the 554 receives 8 clock signals (one bar let's say), it will output one clock signal. If you wanted it to output a clock signal every two bars, then set the division to /16, or /32 for 4 bars, and so forth. Using clock dividers you can come up with more interesting timings and phrasings, particularly when employing multiple sequencers/switches/etc.


Quantizers

Quantizers aren't exactly sequencing modules per se, but they are frequently used in conjunction with sequencers. A basic quantizer will take an incoming voltage and shift it towards the nearest voltage value that corresponds to a note in the 1v/octave scale - in other words, the nearest 1/12th of a volt or 0.0833V value. Some quantizers are able to operate in particular scales/modes and will shift voltages according to those scales, like Major scales, Pentatonic scales, and so forth. Within the context of a sequencer, this just makes creating note values a bit easier without having to systematically dial in and tune each note - tune your oscillators and then just whirl the sequencer knobs for the notes.

A quantizer can work as a sequencer in itself in some ways. Run an LFO into the quantizer CV input and then run a clock source into the trigger input, and voila - each time the quantizer receives a trigger input it will play whatever note the LFO is currently at. You can make this more predictable by syncing/resetting the LFO using a clock divider, let's say every 8 beats - you now have an 8-note repeating sequence without using a standard sequencer.


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That's just touching upon the basics. If you have more specific questions about particular modules or methods feel free to post them. All this stuff will start clicking soon enough.

One of the most rewarding aspects of modulars is that once you grasp the basics, the learning curve goes on and on to an incredible depth - the capabilities you tap into by using a modular approach means that even when you've been at it for years with the same small system, you'll still be making those little discoveries like using your sequential switch as a sequencer or your sequencer as a graphic oscillator. It's very much a "think outside the box" sort of instrument, and it's very much a learned instrument in which you will constantly improve. Once you've started figuring things out you'll find yourself coming up with bizarre new methods of patching even when you aren't in front of your modular.

[drewtoothpaste]

Not evertones a keyboard player Drew...

One could learn how, in the time it would take to set up $4000 worth of sequencers to play a single three-minute verse-chorus-bridge song...

[robotmakers]

<snark>For $4000, you could buy a nice synth and hire a keyboard player!</snark>

[BKN7000]

I'll write you up a little run down on some of the sequencing basics. The important thing to remember is that while modulars seem pretty intimidating at first, once you sit down and actually use them they are far more intuitive than most of the self-contained menu-diving synths out there.

Wow thanks NV! You rock. This is super helpful.