Stop/Nonstop

Essential Trigger/Gate Sequencer

This module is designed as a straightforward analog step sequencer with essential functions for composing rhythmic and melodic patterns. The circuit is built around the CD4017 decade counter and is basically a one-to-one implementation of its functions. It is inspired by the Baby 8 sequencer schematics.

There are two stop/nonstop modules: Trigger/Gate is a trigger sequencer for basic (or complex) rhythms. CV/Gate works as a melodic sequencer. Both use an identical motherboard, so the front board of the module (Trigger or CV) is basically the interface of the circuit and could also be changed (for whatever reason).

With the Trigger/Gate module, you can exclude individual trigger steps from the main sequence by connecting some patch cords to the black mini jacks. You can use the excluded steps to trigger something else.

The basic control functions on both modules are: [clk] = clock input thru, [rst/] = reset, [rst] = reset thru, [dis/] = disable, [dis] = disable thru, [out] = sequence output thru. You can synchronize the modules by connecting [rst] from the master module to [rst/] of the slave module.

[rst/] is normalized to step 9, which makes 8 steps by default, as long as nothing is plugged in here. If you want less than 8 steps, you can reset the module itself with a patch cable. For example, if you connect step 8 to [rst/], the sequence will take 7 steps. If you want more than 8 steps, you can cascade several modules by cross-connecting [dis/] with [rst/]. For this function, you must set a jumper to [casc/10] on the back of the module. You can create a cascaded non-octal sequence by connecting the last step to [dis] of its own module. You can also use different tempos for each row of your cascaded sequence by using individual clock sources.

Disabling a module with a “high” signal on the [dis/] terminal (default = “low”) inserts rests and increases the complexity of your sequence. In [casc/10] mode, you need something connected to [dis] for this purpose. If you leave [dis] empty in [casc/10] mode, you will get two hidden “extra steps”, giving you a ten-step sequence.

The ability to control the melodic part separately from the rhythmic part allows you to easily create complex sounding patterns. It is a very functional module with a lot of possibilities in terms of timing events. For a better understanding of all the functions, full documentation with examples, and an illustration of the internal routing comes with it.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/d4ya9euyrqet4jz3scxsl/h?dl=0&rlkey=33amwa0gc196eddd8fjmynozs