M185 software step sequencer - work in progress

YouTube via dnigrin | January 28, 2011 |

"New software step sequencer, inspired by Ryk's M185 hardware DIY sequencer. Built with Cycling 74's Max/MSP. Work in progress, not done yet..."

Update via Dan on the AH list:
"To address the avalanche of questions I've gotten since -- fueled by the success of my software Klee (http://defectiverecords.com/klee), this is a software recreation of a step sequencer inspired by RYK's M-185 hardware DIY step sequencer - some examples and more info:

http://sys100m.org/viewtopic.php?t=154&sid=539defbded7364e82a6678c84f35daca
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK1PoQffhjk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swi2fNeNCuE

Basically, this sequencer works by advancing the pattern through (up to) 8 stages. Each stage can have have anywhere from 1 to 8 clock pulses that are advanced through. Each stage has a note value. The stage operates in 1 of 4 possible gate modes: Mute, Single, Multi, and Held. In mute mode, the stage is silent for however many clocks it is set for. In single mode, the note triggers for the first clock of the stage, and then it is silent for the remainder of clocks (if any) in the stage. In multi mode, the note is retriggered for each clock of the stage. Finally, in held mode, a single note is held for the duration of all of the clock pulses of the stage.

As Mark Rivera said a while back on AH, the M185 is "... the only alternate concept to x0x, knob-row, and arpeggiator styles. It's all three but none of them?"

That's the basic idea. Of course, there's details - you can change the clock pulses from anywhere between whole notes to 1/32nd notes. You can change the gate duration times. You can change the direction of the sequence through the stages - forward, backward, ping pong, and random. You can control the total number of clock pulses in a pattern, irrespective of the number of stages.

The software version will have most of the features of the hardware sequencer, plus more (still being finalized!). It will work with MIDI rather than control voltages/triggers. It will send MIDI to any MIDI device (hardware or software), and will work with either an internal clock or MIDI clock. It can also host a VST instrument plugin. It will save and load presets.

Mac and PC, cheap like all of my software. I hope to have it ready within the next 1-2 months, real life notwithstanding!

Dan"