[sdiy] gate sequencer

[Roy J. Tellason]

On Thursday 18 November 2004 01:33 pm, Rafael_Cohen at prusec.com wrote:
> Hi,
> This is my first post here, and usually I lurk on a list for a while before
> posting, but I am anxious to get some feedback about an idea I have.  Let
> me first say my tech skills are limited.  I have built my own contact
> microphones and a little Velleman "sound-to-light" kit with no problems.  I
> have basic tools (no scope) and I'm learning to read schematics (from Craig
> Anderton's book I got from PAIA)... OK, I'm a newbie.
>
> I want to build a gate sequencer.  I'm curious how difficult it would be
> and where I would start.  I was thinking 2 rows of 16 toggle switches with
> LEDs to indicate on/off status.  In it's simplest form, that's pretty much
> it.  With a clock input and two ouputs for the gate signals.  I don't need
> to program note/cv values, just gates on/off in time.  The only other
> feature I'm itching for is a micro-timing knob for each step to push the
> signals a little bit early or late.  I have this sinking feeling that might
> make the project about four times as complicated.  Right now, I'm not even
> trying to worry about pattern length, pattern direction, any of that.  I
> really have no idea how to go about it.  I hope you don't get posts like
> this all the time... "I have a frying pan and a coat hanger, please tell me
> in monosyllables how to build a particle accelerator..."
>
> Anyhow, I have the desire and energy to build and learn.  Any help, advice,
> idas are appreciated.
>
> Rafael
> Brooklyn, NY

Easiest thing I can think of would use a 4017 chip,  or similar.  I remember 
running across a page that did exactly that but can't remember who it was, 
perhaps somebody else will jump in with that URL.  Anyhow if you find the 
data sheet on that chip you should get some ideas.

If you want to be able to fiddle with the timing on each output,  then maybe a 
555 timer chip on each output would be the way to go (or use the dual 556, 
quad 558,  etc.).  If you don't know this chip then you ought to -- and 
there's a whole mess of stuff out there on the web that talks about it.