Q119 24-Stage Sequencer

Stages and Banks
The sequential controller can be configured as one bank of 24 stages, or 3 individual banks of 8 stages each. Each bank has its own voltage output which is set manually, and a gate output. The output voltage range is selectable: 0/+5 volts or -5/+5 volts. An LED indicates which stage is active.

Master Output
A master output is also provided that adds features including Glissando also known as Portamento or slew limiting, manual voltage adding, and external voltage adding, and an LED indicating the Gate output status. When in 3x8 mode (3 banks of 8 stages) the master output adds together voltages from the three output banks.

Gate Outputs
Each Bank has its own gate output (normally only used when in 3x8 mode), and there is a master gate output (normally only used when in 1x24 mode). The width of these gate signals are determined by a single front panel control. The width can be controlled from approximately 10% to 90% of the stage's on time. Individual gate outputs for each stage are not provided.

Triggering, Starting and Stopping
The sequential controller can be triggered (started and stopped) manually or by external triggers from oscillators, envelope generators, keyboard gates, etc. Several options exist including a level sensitive 'Go' input that causes the sequencer to start on the rising edge of a signal and stop on the falling edge. The 'Start' and 'Stop' signals can be used to control the sequencer with individual signals for each, or in conjunction with the 'Go' signal. This configuration gives you great control over how the sequencer behaves. For example: if you would like the sequencer to only be on when a key is pressed from the keyboard, connect the keyboard's gate output into the 'Go' input. If you would like the sequencer to start, simply press the 'Start' button. To create 3 complex envelopes in response to a key press, select 3x8 mode, and connect the keyboard's gate output into the 'Start' input, and set the 'Cycle' switch to 'Once'.

Continue or Reset Mode
The default power-up mode is 'Reset'. Whenever the sequencer is triggered with the 'Go' or 'Start' signals, the sequence will reset to stage 1 and start. There is a special, somewhat hidden mode called 'Continue' mode that can be toggled by holding the 'Set End' button and pressing the 'Manual Step' button once. This causes the sequence to continue from where it had previously stopped whenever the 'Go' or 'Start' signals trigger a sequence.

Cycles and Sequences
Front panel switches control cycles and sequences. The sequencer can generate a single cycle upon triggering, or a continuous series of cycles. The cycles can be up only (1,2,3...) or up/down (1,2,3...3,2,1).

Random Sequences
A special, somewhat hidden feature is Random stage mode. In this mode, the sequence will be random. The 'Cycle' and 'Sequence' switches are not applicable in this mode. Other controls act the same. Random mode is toggled by holding the 'Manual Step' button and pressing the 'Set End' button once.

Oscillator
An internal oscillator can provide control over the rate at which the sequencer moves through the stages. The operator also has the ability to manually step through the stages which is helpful when setting the stage controls. A switch is provided to select an external oscillator source which can be driven by the Q106 Oscillator, keyboard gate pulses, etc. It is possible to have each stage active for a variable amount of time by using an external Q106 Oscillator which is controlled by one of the bank outputs.

Length Selection
The number of stages in a sequence is set by a front panel push button labeled 'Set End'. Pressing this button causes the LED for the last stage in the sequence to flash. Pressing again allows the user to cycle through the stages. The last stage is set when the button is not pressed for 1 second.

Multiple Sequencers
Sequencers can be connected together to add functionality. This is accomplished by connecting the 'Done' output signal from one sequencer to the 'Start' input on another. Multiple sequencers can be set to different speeds for unusual effects or driven by the same external oscillator. Outputs of all sequencers can be mixed together or used separately.