Sequencing
Step Sequencer
An 8-step sequencer — plays a repeating melody with a note and an on/off for each step.
Learn about it in Rhythm: clocks, gates & sequencers
How it works
Every time the CLK input rises it moves to the next step and outputs that step’s pitch. Drag the bars to set notes (relative to C4); click the lights underneath to turn steps on or off. Off steps hold the previous pitch and send no gate.
Inputs
| CLK | Advances one step per rising edge. Usually Clock 1/16 or 1/8. |
|---|---|
| RST | Jump back to step 1. |
Outputs
| V/OCT | Pitch of the current step (1.0 per octave). Patch to VCO V/OCT. |
|---|---|
| GATE | High while the clock is high on an “on” step. Patch to ADSR GATE. |
| TRIG | A very short pulse at the start of each played step — for drums. |
Knobs and switches
| Length | Number of steps before looping (1–8). Odd lengths against the drums make shifting patterns. |
|---|---|
| Transp | Shifts every note by semitones. |
| Glide | Slides between notes instead of jumping — the acid-bass effect. |
| Chance | Probability that each step actually plays. Lower = sparser, more varied lines. |
Lessons that use the Step Sequencer
Each one opens as a working patch in the synth.
- 07 · Clock & Sequencer
- 10 · Space: Delay & Reverb
- 14 · Bitcrusher: Lo-Fi
- 18 · Plucked String
- 19 · Low-Pass Gate: Plucky Notes
- 29 · Switch: A New Melody Every Bar
Words to know
- Gate — An on/off signal: high while a key or step is held, low when it is not.
- Sequencer — Plays a repeating pattern of notes or values, one step per clock pulse.