Thoughts/comparisons on the Q119 Sequencer Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2001 18:03:35 -0500 From: "Bernie Bean" Hello Roger, For point of reference, my systems: Analouge Solutions 3264: 4 - Gate A/B out Only sequencers , 4 CV only sequensers each with stage out, reset to stage 8, step button, clock in/out 1 - master clock range with built-in divider /1, /4, /8, /16 outputs. Quad Switcher / Fill switch, the quad switcher is the same as 2 Q128s While the Fill In is a divider that counts the number of times stage 1 on a sequenser is fired. This allows you to turn on a row every 2nd, 4th, 8th or 16th bar. Analouge Solutions currently lacks any logic or devirse clock modules or deviders. This one get a lots of use up until the Q119s showed up. Sound Transfom Systems (Serge); Serge TBK, I as standard swquencer that works best with Serge. It provides a with seprate gate outs pre-stage up/donwn, start, stop, reset, hold, random select, vert clock (stage clock), and keyboad functions for the touch pads. The Serge line has every think that could ever want and the logic and clocking moduoes but int the long run cost will be the issue and Serge, I don't think is is for everyone. I own several Serge Sequencers but I picked the bigest one I had. Doepfer A155: 1.x8, 3 - Trigger, I - Gate, 1 - CV,1 - CV/ Audio 2x8 Configuration wiht 2 rows of Switches and 2 BUSS for each row of switches. Row 1's (A/B) switches , provide t rigger to TRIGGER 1 or TRIGGER 2 Second row of swicthes rows of (A/B) switches , provide trigger out to TRIGGER 3 or GATE 1 to gate one output. There is 2 row of CV out of 8 stages one standard. An row for 8 audio in's control knobs. Start, stop reset inputs and buttons. A range switch that adds 1, 2 or 4v to the cv out (1v is actually no voltage added). There is also glide, and sample hold control for use with external S/H module when used with external audio as source. The audio in is very strange over all if find the A115 to small with too few functions or features. This is my lease used sequencer. I have a MAQ3/16 but I don't know if that is a apples-to-apples compairson. Wiard 300 Series Sequencer: 8x1, 8 gate out for each step. It has cv output for 10v (unquanitazed) and QUANT (quanitazed). 4 jack multiple (this is standard on most moduals). A TRANSpose + (up) or - (down), GLIDE on/off, reset, sequence select input. Sequence is 8 preprogramed pattern. I have only used this 3 or 4 times since I have had it. In concidering all of the functions for Analouge Soutions, Analouge Systems and Serge sequencers and Wiard Moog (i don't own a Moog but have used one) It is my opinion that your Q119 is equal (actually is better) in function than the a forementioned brands. However you surpass most in one way or another, some of them in the area of quality and others in added built-in functionally. This built-in functionally make for ease of use and flexibility and can decrease module count required to simular things on other sequencers. I don't find the Q119 to be deficent in anyway as long as you are willing to think about what you want to do with an open mind. The feature I like most in using the Q119 are as follows: -5/+5 or 0/+5: This feature as many uses. Very useful because "0v" is not truly OFF sometimes. It is also useful in range expansion. No other sequencer has this function. 8x3 and 24x1 mode: This is of obvious use and saves on additional modules required to derive function(s) by most other manufactures as they provide 1x8 devices. Those that provide more than one row out don't usually the have the equal amount of gate outs or cv outs. The Q119 covers all configurations and is fully stocked gate and cv outs. Usefull Derived Functions: Q119 Gate and CV out for each row are very handy for generating derived functions like; 1.) gated and un-gated polymetric phrases. Set Q119 to -5/+5. Patch Q119 bank VC outs to GATE in of 3-Q109 Set stages of Q119 to +5 gate ON or. -5 gate OFF. 2.) Stage gate on/off (mute), where the output of stages form Q119 cut off gates VIA a Q128 of Q109 from another (or several) patch. 3.) binary counter/pattern generator (3 bits). These functions can be gated if a Q128 is used to switch the row cv outs. Gate Width: Which allows you to add some swing time to your work or to tighten-up or losen your Q119 to Q109 gating. I would like to see that as CV'd of course if you use an external OSC (Q106) it would be. Add In: Great for automated transpose. This requires 2 Q119, (one in 3x8 one in 1x24) A128 as a transpose switch Up/Down: This is a simple function but if you don't have it, it's trouble to produce. Done: Good for chaining several Q119 together. Other sequencers use stage one out which is not as useful and in some applications can cost you a stage because you lose that cv on the stage. Last Stage: This functions always required you to patch a GATE out from stage 5 to reset stop. Your method uses the functions of the processor to produce that same thing. The fact that you can stop on any stage is pure magic. Most other sequencers only allow you to stop on last stage. Stop/Continue: Great function I don't recall it anywhere but on the Q119. On other sequencers you can stop and reset only. The other controls on the Q119 are fairly standard, START, STOP, CLOCK IN OTHER THOUHGTS: All of the HIDDEN functions are great, The fact that the Q119 is processor based makes for a very flexible and sequencer that and only continue to grow. Seprate Gate outs for each stage as provided on other sequencers is nice, but my derived functions work as well. With 3 row of stages using 1 row as a gate control row is not a issue for me. In most cases you only need to find stage 1 or stage 8 (which the DONE functions does) to trigger a shift function module. Derived function and can be used as a stage mute as well. It is a little extra work but the level of control is there for my needs. Seprate gate outs for each stage is useful when switching in mid sequence or building GATE TREES where Seq 1-4 is triggered, Seq 2 has stage 2, triggered Seq 3 or whatever. WISHES: What we need is a thing like a Dual Voltage Controled Switch, Bar Clock Dividers dividers (stage 1 to produce 2, 4, 8, 16 bar counts ) used to create fills when applied to a vcs like Q128. Boolean login modules, the logic that would be add to to the ability to control sequencer generated patters would be conciderable. A complex audo/gate switcher like the Moog 962. This is the only feature of the 96x pair that I need. I produce my own stage gate outs and stage mute/skip functions as derived functions. An issu does arise when you want to start another event on a given stage say 3 unless you had all stages out of a binary counter synced to the Q119 master clock (main gate out). If you where planning to product a Q119 Aid to provide individual gate outs, I would add a complex switch like the Moog 962, a Bar counter as supplied on the Analouge Solutions FS01 and maybe a bolean logic module and some clock seq and dividers as provided on Doepfer. The more of these type of modules you have the less I will have to depend on overseas companies for deverse module functions. On the far out side of things it would be inreresting to see: 1) A GATE BUSS controlled by a A-OFF-B switch. And add GATE A and GATE B to each stage and master out. This would make tree gating possible. 2) Seperate (internal clock?) and clock input for each row of 8. (internal requires too many more knobs?) 3) Start/stop/go for each row 4) Ability split the stages of the Q119 to 3 complete 8x1 controlled by jacking in ext. clock for a given stage CONCLUSION: I find that I don't have enough sequencers in 1/4" jack format so I find it a problem to do complete sequencer solos. By all accounts it would currently require 4 Q119s running in 1x24 mode. I have tried to use my other sequencers with the Q119 but their lack for functions and features make is difficult at best. Some reset to row last stage, Some only have one row of CV and no gates while others have stages that can be gates or CVs but not both. (I am finding this to be the case with most of my systems. Interoperation can be a problem.) As far as being flexible and expandable, I would say your Q119 is in the same frame of reference as the Serge TBK (4x16) w/separate gate outs. The unit cost is $1600.00 and $400.00 for the PSU. If I were to spend $2000.00 on Q119s I would have 4 rows of 24 steps (8 more steps that Serge). I could use 1 - Q119 for GATE generation and 3 - Q119s for CV outputs. All things being equal, I think you have produced the best sequencer in any price range. True it's not a Moog 960 nor does it have a 962 but I have found ways of meeting my needs with the Q119 which far exceeded my expections. I thought it was good from the description on your website but hands-on experience shows how dynamic the Q119 really is. I look forward to your production of some logic, switching and divider modules. Such an addition would put the Synthesizer.com sequencing system over the top. Bernie