Overview
The Gate Sequencer operates similarly to the CV Sequencer, except that instead of
generating continuous values for each step, it generates a gate signal, which alternates
between two values: 1.0 and 0.0. You can think of these values as alternating "on"
and "off" signals. When routed into a NoteGen module, these on/off values are used to
trigger MIDI NoteOn and NoteOff messages.
This sequencer will generate a new gate signal for each new step, except when the step
value is 0.0 (displayed as "--"), where it will generate no gate. Within the duration
of a single step, the length of the 'on' value is determined by the value of the slider:
the higher the value of the slider, the longer the gate is held open. If the value of
the slider is 1.0 (the maximum value), the gate will be on for the length of the whole
step, and into the next step, if the gate value of the next step is greater than zero.
Other than the values it generates, this module is almost exactly like the
CV Sequencer.
Sequenced Parameters
All of the sequenced parameters in the Gate Sequencer are accessed via rows of controls (either sliders or buttons)
that live in the center-section of the front panel of the module.
Step Labels, Start Step & End Step
The step labels are in a row along the top of the sequenced parameters section. They are not parameters
in themselves, but two important non-sequenced parameters are
embedded here: the start step (which has a green marker), and the end step (which has a red marker).
Together, these two settings (drag them with the mouse to change them) set the range of steps that are 'active' in
the sequence. For instance, the easiest way to set the length of the sequence to 8 steps is to drag the end step
to step 8. These parameters are completely flexible: the start can come after the end step, or they can even
be the same (for a one-step sequence).
Skip Steps
This row of buttons allows you to remove a step completely from the sequence. This is a surprisingly useful
feature for creating variations on a sequence -- particularly during a live performance.
Skip Action Menu
To the left of the skip buttons is a small action menu with several items that operate on the skip steps.
These are very handy for manipulating the state of the skip buttons.
- Skip One
- Skip a Few
- Skip Some
- Skip Most
- Skip All
- Unskip One
- Unskip a Few
- Unskip Some
- Unskip Most
- Unskip All
Gate Sliders
This is where you set the length of the Gate values in the sequence.
Select Steps
This row of buttons appears between the pitch row and the timing row. It allows you to select arbitrary sets of sequencer
steps for further modification. In particular, anytime a slider for a selected step is moved,
all other selected steps will moved by the same relative amount.
Select Action Menu
As with the skip steps, there is an action menu to the left of the select row that has some handy operations you
can perform on the select buttons:
- Select One
- Select a Few
- Select Some
- Select Most
- Select All
- Unselect One
- Unselect a Few
- Unselect Some
- Unselect Most
- Unselect All
The Left Side
To the left of the sequencer, there are several controls grouped into two sections. From top to
bottom, they are the transport controls, and the sequencer's rate and direction controls.
Reset
Performs an immediate reset of the sequencer. Useful for generating
out-of sync rhythmic effects.
Play/Stop
This is a two-state button that allows you to start and stop the sequence. By default,
this control is tied to the master transport. You can change this behavior by changing
the RunMode of the sequencer (more on that below).
Rate
In Numerology 1.4, this parameter was called "Clock Division". It controls the default length of the sequencer's steps,
and thus, how quickly it plays. By default, this control is calibrated in tradition musical rhythmic values, but the
Rate Mode parameter allows you to change this.
Rate Mode
This allows you to change how you specify the rate (or tempo) of the sequence. There are three modes:
- Normal : Use traditional rhythmic values where 1/4 (a quarter note) equals 1 beat
- Ratio : Use small-integer numeric ratios where 1/1 equals 1 beat
- Percent : Use a percentage value where 100 equals 1 beat, 25 equals 1/4 beat (a sixteenth note), etc.
Direction
Sets the direction of the sequence to forwards, backwards, a combination of the two, or random. The 'Alt1' setting
causes the sequence to move alternately forwards and backwards without repeating the start and end steps. The 'Alt2'
setting is similar, except that the start and end step are repeated.
Hard Sync
If this parameter is set to anything other than 'None', it will force a sequencer reset at regular musical intervals
calibrated in beats. This is a good way to force the sequence to a repeatable pattern regardless of its other settings.
For instance, if the clock division is in 16th notes, you can set the hard sync to every 4 beats, then change start step,
end step and skip step settings while still maintaining a pattern that repeats every 4 beats.
The Right Side
Skip & Select Clear Buttons
To the immediate right of the skip and select button rows, there is a small button
with an 'x' on it. These buttons will clear (deactivate) all of the
step values for that parameter type.
Randomize Menu
This allows you to roughly control how many parameters are modified by the randomize operation.
Randomize Button
This 'action' button triggers randomization of parameters based on the setting of the randomize menu.
Shift Left/Right
This 'action' will shift all steps values in the sequence one step to the left or right (with rollover of the
boundary values). This is a very useful way to vary a pattern: by shifting it relative to other patterns.
Normalize All
This will set all of the values in the sequence to 0.5, generating a 50% gate for every step.
Zero All
This will set all of the values in the sequence to 0.0, stopping the generation of any gate 'on' signals.
Gate Adjust
This parameter allows you to smoothly vary the length of all gates at the same time.
Advanced Parameters
