Getting Started: Patching with Gates and Triggers in Eurorack

video upload by Noise Engineering

"Gates and triggers are some of the most common signals you’ll patch. Both are binary signals, meaning they’re either off or on. Off is 0 volts, and on is usually somewhere around 5 to 10 volts.

So, what’s the difference?

A gate stays high for a certain amount of time. The length of the gate is part of the signal. Sequencers commonly output gates, letting you control how long each note lasts.

A trigger is basically a very short gate. It’s just a quick pulse, usually only a few milliseconds long. Triggers are often used to start events, like setting the tempo for drum modules, firing envelopes, or advancing sequencers. Clock signals are usually triggers as well. Each pulse moves something forward in time, like advancing a sequencer or firing rhythmic events.

In many cases, you can use a gate as a trigger, since modules often only care about the moment the signal goes from low to high. But using a trigger where a gate is expected doesn’t always work the same way, since triggers are so short.

Gates and triggers might be simple signals, but they’re essential for controlling rhythm, timing, and events across your entire patch.

As part of our Getting Started series, here's our blog that covers gates and triggers even more:
https://noiseengineering.us/blogs/loq...

More information on the Case of Steel:
https://noiseengineering.us/products/...

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