I recently got an old sequencer, the model 800 produced by Sequential Circuits. http://www.synthmuseum.com/sequ/seqseq80001.html
I connected it to my Micromoog this way:
MM kbd out to SEQ voltage in
SEQ voltage ou to MM osc in
SEQ trigger out to MM s-trig in (I built the circuit to do this)
I record the tones in the sequencer using the single voltage record switch, and it all works fine, but I have a problem with the speed of the execution of the sequence of tones (on the sequencer). The recording speed seems to be fixed at a very high frequency. Once I have recorded the tones and switched the sequencer on, if I turn the speed down to the lowest level, it’s still too fast. I also tried to change the speed on the sequencer knob before recording, but nothing changes.
I suppose there is a parameter in the synth affecting the speed of the recording, but I can’t find it out.
“An internal clock runs from 20Hz up to 5kHz to calculate absolute note length or beat division if being driven externally by a low frequency clock. External input is provided via a specially wired plug”
20Hz is pretty fast. I think you need to find a manual on how to clock divide the timing circuit. Or drive it with a simple 555 timer output square wave as a cheap LFO.
What I can’t understand is why a couple of times happened that it worked slower than this. I remember that when I had not yet found out well how to record the tones and was trying it, I recorded a sequence of tones and it played really slow.
You had it dividing the clock or were programming in real time. Without one in my hands or the manual, it’s hard to tell from here. I haven’t seen one of those for years. We had one in our shop when they were new in 1978 and I knew it could run pretty slow if you set it up right. Then again, it’s old and might be broken.
Are you trying to step program it? They were meant to be played into then repeat what you were playing. That was then speed adjustable. If you are trying to step program it, you aren’t giving it any note duration info and it will run at clock speed. (20cps+)Very fast!
Realize I’m playing with over 30 years ago recollections of a piece of gear I didn’t own.
You select the bank you want to program
Enable recording
step on the record pedal
play up to 16 notes per bank. It would record timing from the gate signal and pitch from the CV signal.
step on stop record pedal
step on playback to replay
I don’t remember how to record or merge multiple banks
Once a sequence was recorded, I think it could be edited in step mode. I don’t remember being able to program it in step mode.(The reason why I probably never bought one.)
I see.. probably the problem is that I have not a connection between the gate out of the moog and the gate in of the sequencer, because the circuit from S-trig to V-trig is quite complicated.. I better do as you told before, “drive it with a simple 555 timer output square wave as a cheap LFO”.
It is supposed to be able to use S-trig (Dry contact) or Vtrig on it’s own. But you still need a gate for the timing.
Again, dredgeing the weary old memory from over 30 years ago…
The gate signal needs to be high as long as a key is depresed.
The trigger is not needed as the rise of the gate acts as trigger.
The pitch voltage level is recorded at the time of gate rise (Trigger)
The clock records counts from when the gate goes high untill it goes low. These counts are the duration of the note.
(It also counted the time between triggers for ‘rests’.)
I thought there was a switch in the 800 that selected s-trig or V-gate in. Or is that part of my failing memory?
EDIT: I just reread your original post. You do not have a gate from the MM to the SEQ. You HAVE to have this for that SEQ to record note durations. The play back will be at 20Hz as each note is only 1 clock pulse long with out the gate signal! That should solve your problem.