Re-Examining "Pattern Bussing" technique

[morbius]

Over the last couple of years, since I initially published this technique for patching the '960-style' (Moog)(Q960 Synthesizers.com) analog stepping sequencers, several people have told me that they have had trouble with the patch.

As I've recently discovered one specific 'error' that some people are doing, I decided to clear-up some 'assumptions' made, and by making a new video to post on YouTube, I've not bothered with making some "way-kewel" sequence, but rather, use the 'annotations', and a closer view to attempt to demonstrate the theory behind my "Pattern Bussing" technique.

Another 'assumption' many people have made, was that the pattern(s) in the previous demos were, in essence, about all that could be done without retuning... which is way, WAY not the case. In fact, I want to specifically point out here, that by using this technique, you can easily change patterns... their notes, reset-points, skipped notes, and much more, not to mention changing time-signatures, and if you wish, you can add to the patch, the ability to switch-in/out 'timing', and Voltage-Controlled Pulse-Width modulation- (which 'can' sound like timing variations... and even skipping, or altering the gate-length of selected stages).

So... the bottom line is- by presetting properly, you could use different sequences in different songs/cuts/pieces, changing them instantly, using only toggle switches, and never have to bother with tuning new sequences.... unless that's what you want to do.

Anyway- here's a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBfAY0jFQE8 to the most recent video on YouTube. And remember- besides reading the annotations... just watch the stage lamps on the sequencers, and listen to the simple sequence... and you'll be able to see & hear the pattern changes... then, imagine using more 'melodic' and complex sequences using this technique.

I believe this technique could be adapted to most any analog sequencer, as long as each stage has it's own 'trigger-in' and 'trigger-out', and you have a way to switch (assign) any of them from the trigger-outs of the 'Slave' sequencer, through the buses, and to the 'trigger-ins' of the 'Master' sequencer. With the Synthesizers.com system, the Q963 does exactly that, providing two buses... so, you'd need two Q963's- BOTH connected to the 'Slave' sequencer. Where you 'can' use from one, up to eight buses... I've found that four is more or less, ideal. (Of course, it really depends on the user's needs).

If you love the 'Berlin' style of sequencing (Tangerine Dream; Redshift UK; and all of the others), you're gonna love this. TIP: Enhance your sequences by using some delay... NOT synchronized to the sequencers... but rather, adjust the slap-back time and level to give you a doubling-effect... or even triplets (1/6; 1/12; 1/18). This is a great way to 'time travel' into the future.... (cuz the next thing you know, you're in the middle of next week).