Sequencers for MOTM
2001-09-07 by drq48423@yahoo.com
I'm late to the meeting, just got back from a road trip this week and reading my old mail; Here is the way Aries handled the *sequencer question* circa 1977. I'm taking this text from a flyer of theirs (no pictures). I will paraphrase the text, then add my own comments/insults. Although I have an Aries system, I never got around to picking up on their sequencer stuff before they went under: Aries; The AR-334 Analog sequencer is an 8-step, 2-column potentiometer-memory type sequencer. It is stepped by a 10v pulse from any fast rising voltage (VCO, keyboard trigger, ect.) Volt level of each step is adjusted by a 1/2 of a dual concentric pot... Chuck; Ugh! I hate concentric pots, as I'm sure everyone else here does. But this allowed Aries to stick eight steps in a 2X4 layout in the top two/thirds of a 3 by 9 inch panel. Oh, well... Aries; A toggle switch selects one of 3 modes; *single step* (for tuning), *stop*, and *run*. In *run* mode, with a patch cord plugged into the *run, enable & step* input, the seq steps on the clock signal only when a 10v gate is present. In the *stop* mode, the seq will step only on a trigger... Chuck; This could be handled the same as the MOTM 800's inputs, either/ or... Aries; 8 LEDs indicate the position in the sequence at all times... Chuck; Yay!!! Aries; 8 position gate outputs jacks allow seqs of any length (1 to 8), cascading of sequencers and programmed accents to be accomplished. Reset input responds to any pulse signal... Chuck; An Aries module looks like a small Wiard module, including the 1/8 inch jacks. That's how they can cram all this on the panel. So far, so good. Now, check this out... Aries; The AR-335 Switch & Window Detector module consists of 4 independent electronic switches of 3 distinct types. All of these switches are bi-directional... Chuck; I'll make this quick; it's one 1:2 switch, one 1:4 switch, and one 1:4 version of two MOTM 700s! In other words, a threshold control (window) across 4 in/outs instead of 2 separate in/outs. The first two switches are toggled by gate/triggers. Two seperate modules; MOTMize this, and you would have a small, cheap and flexible analog sequencer. Paul S. may already be going in that direction with the new MOTM '500 line he recently announced. Incidently. the prices were; AR-334 Sequencer; $199 kit, $299 wired AR-335 Switch/Window; $149 kit, $225 wired (remember, these were 1977 prices) Comments? Chuck