New Division 6 Gatemix Eurorack Module

via Division 6

"Gatemix is, as you've probably guessed, a gate mixer. There are 8 gate inputs which can be enabled with either a pushbutton or another gate/CV.

Gatemix has two output buses, and each input can be assigned to Bus A, Bus B, or both. The outputs don't simply mix all the voltages together; when an input is detected, no matter the voltage, the output will always be the same voltage. This output voltage can be switched between +5v, +10v or a user-selectable voltage that can be anywhere between approximately -12 and +12v. This voltage can be set with the on-board knob or from an external source.

All the buttons on this module are lit. The input channel buttons light dimly to indicate that a channel is enabled and brightly when a gate signal is present. They light red to indicate that the gate will be coming out Bus A, blue to indicate Bus B or magenta for both. The input channel toggles between enabled and disabled with each press of the button.

The Bus A and Bus B buttons light with their respective color whenever a gate signal is being sent. Pressing these buttons will manually trigger the gate outputs.

Gatemix can be used in any system, but it makes a perfect companion to the Mattson SQ816 sequencer. Use it to enable, disable, mix and assign the SQ816's stage gate outputs. In fact, there's even a pass-through connector in the back that connects to the SQ816's main board, so you can connect all the stage gates without using any patch cables. Don't worry, you can still use Gatemix for other things; the rear SQ816 connection is bypassed for each channel as soon as you plug something into the front jack for that channel.

Note: Gatemix has 8 channels and the SQ816 has 16 stage gate outs, so if you'll need two if you want to interface with all the stages. Both buses have expansion inputs to make daisy-chaining multiple units easy.

Think of this as a performance gate mixer. Maybe you have all your sequencer stage gates running into Gatemix, and you've got a kick and a snare patch connected to the two bus outputs. You can create drum patterns that match up to your sequence and modify them on the fly using Gatemix's buttons and switches.

Specifications:

Power supply: +/- 12 VDC (reverse-polarity protected!)
Power draw: TBD
Width: 20HP
Depth: TBD
Inputs:

Gate (x8)
Gate Enable (x8)
Voltage Level
Bus Expansion (x2)
SQ816 Stage Gate Bus (On Back)
Outputs:

Gate Out (x2)
Controls:

Gate Channel Bus Select (x8)
Gate Out Volts Select (x2)
Gate Out Manual Voltage Set (x2)
Includes:

Gatemix Module
Doepfer-style Power Cable
(4) M3 x 6mm Rack Screws w/ Nylon Washers
(2) SQ816 interface cables

Coming September 1, 2013"

Also see the New Division 6 Morpheum Eurorack Module.

SQ816 Sequencer - Simple First Tests

Published on Feb 11, 2013 JohnLRice·187 videos

"I have a prototype of the new Division 6 eurorack version of George Mattson's SQ816 sequencer. It is very cool and feature rich! In this video I was simply just taking the MIDI out into my Korg MS2000R. Nothing fancy, just getting used to things for now."

SQ816 Sequencer - Simple First Tests Part 2

Published on Feb 16, 2013 JohnLRice·188 videos

"More of the same as last time, me messing around with the a prototype of the new Division 6 eurorack version of George Mattson's SQ816 sequencer. This time I'm using it to run part of my big 5U modular. Nothing fancy, just getting used to things for now."

SQ816 Sequencer - Simple First Tests Part 3

Published on Feb 26, 2013 JohnLRice·190 videos

"Once again, me messing around with the a prototype of the new Division 6 eurorack version of George Mattson's SQ816 sequencer. This one is quick, a single patch I liked that I wanted to share."

Mattson Mini Modular/Divison 6 SQ816 Sequencer Demos

SQ816 running mute by MMModsynth
http://www.mattsonminimodular.com/
http://www.division-6.com/

"Quick demo of the MMM/Division 6, SQ816 sequencer.
Highlighting the running mute. The running mute function kills the main gate when the button (or footswitch) is pressed.
The setup is two CV busses running two independent voice chains.
The B bus is fired from either the main gate or, from taps in the 2,3,5,and 7 stage gate outputs.
When the running mute is pressed, only the B voice chain comes through until the foot swith is released. Then, the main gate kicks in and all stages on both voice chains are triggered.

NOT a pro production. Just a quick recording while testing the system."

SQ816 Ping Pong-Random demo
SQ816 Ping Pong-Random demo by MMModsynth
"Programmed 16 channels in a chromatic major scale from C, up two octaves to C# on stage 16.
Set the C#'s in mute (stage 2 and 9) and left the channel 16 C# active.
Have a "Kick" generated on stages 1 and 11 with a "snare generated on 5 and 13.
Started in forward mode than, switched to Ping-Pong mode. I have SOS mode enabled (Start on Stage) which provides a double hit on the endpoint stages.
The strings are a bit loud but. The point was that it was in Ping-Pong mode while in C, running up and down the scale.
When I transpose to C#, I kick in the random mode.
When switching back to C, I kick it back to Ping-Pong mode. The sequencer re-enters Ping-Pong at the point and direction that it left when launched into Random mode.
Definitely not a pro production but, gets the control point across."

Division 6 Mattson Euro SQ816 Sequencer Videos by MrCzimmer777

Division 6 Mattson Euro SQ816 Sequencer Take 1

Published on Apr 30, 2013 MrCzimmer777·11 videos

"CV Gate of Mattson to Moog Little Phatty, BD909, and Synthesizers dot com, and 4ms Pingable Envelope Generator. Animoog added for a lead."

Mattson SQ16 Euro Sequencer Take 2

Published on May 2, 2013

"3 Oscillators tuned slightly apart, all gate and pulse width triggered by the Mattson and a 4MS Pingable Envelope Generator w/ a TipTop BD909. The main toggle in the dark (sorry) was simply with the Gain of the Amp from all that CV Gate in at nearly every 1V per octave"

Mattson SQ816 Take Live

Published on May 13, 2013

"Everything here is live as it evolves. Using a patch pictured on my Facebook page, I used the Mattson as "the brain". MIDI out is running all channels in Ableton, as a CV, sequencer, groove machine, and performance model using no clips or loops in Live. Three drum kits and two Oscillators are all being triggered by the Mattson SQ816. Next time, I would at least add a live Moog bass line with at least some quarter notes in there. This is second time that I tried this."

Division 6 Morpheum Test Drive

Uploaded on Jun 20, 2014 matrixsynth·311 videos

http://www.division-6.com

"Just a test of my new Division 6 Morpheum VCA morphing ring modulator. Two Melekko Heavy Industries Richter Oscillator IIs into the Morpheum to start. Division 6 SQ816 Sequencer into the Morpheum mod input for rhythm. SQ816 provides bass drum gate for the Tiptop Audio BD808 bass drum and drives the clock in for the Tiptop Z8000 sequencer which in turn triggers the Tiptop SD808 snare and HATS808. Tiptop does not go through the Morpheum. Mattson Mini Modular LFO later modulates the pitch of one of the Malekko Richter Oscillator IIs. Some reverb and phaser provided by the TC Electronic M300."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Division 6 Mattson SQ816 Praise from Malekko's Joshua Holley

via Joshua Holley on Facebook

"The best part about manufacturing? Getting a sample of course! Here is the Mattson SQ816 http://www.division-6.com/products/mattson-sq816-sequencer.php. I'm beaming with excitement to announce the robots at Darkplace will be busy all this week populating boards (in between playing this thing...i can't believe how awesome it is!!!)
Seriously my favorite sequencer!!!"

According to George Mattson, this is serial #0001.

http://mattsonminimodular.com/
http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/

Synthwerks Skiff with Division 6 / Mattson SQ816

via James Husted of Synthwerks on Facebook

Note this will be at the MMTA SYNTHFEST on Saturday.

"My Division 6/Mattson SQ816 came over and went in my new Sequencer Skiff - very fun. The SQ816 is a very cool device with lots of features. I have to refer to the manual and the little Cheater card that comes with it. It came with a little Division6 Jacklight too which is really sweet. It will be at the MMTA Synthfest..."

The Making of Billy Cogan's Ichabod Photo Gallery

I haven't posted on Ichabod in a while.
For those not familiar with this massive modular system, it was commissioned by Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins from George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular.  It's a one of a kind system. You can find the full gallery on Facebook here.  Be sure to check out the Ichabod label here on MATRIXSYNTH for more posts including video and audio. I never get enough of that Devils Tower pic. Devils Tower of course was made famous in the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind which featured Philip Dodds & and an ARP 2500.  And of course I do like George's T-Shirt in the second to last pic below on the delivery of Ichabod.  The bottom shot is the classic Ichabod Halloween pic (click through for a super size wallpaper shot).

An interesting side note I believe is that the upcoming Mattson SQ816 Sequencer will be the final module to complete the system.  Click here and scroll for some demos and pics of the SQ816 including the Division 6 eurorack format.

Update via George Mattson: "That is correct. Billy ordered two sequencers.  Billy actually started this and said he wanted a sequencer. I prototyped a simple, single-line 8-channel sequencer on a breadboard over a weekend to show him that I can indeed make one.

Stephen used it in one of his video’s [posted here]

I didn’t want to just make a run-of-the-mill step sequencer and wanted to design and build one that I wanted to have fun with. Hopefully, other people will too. Thus, the SQ816 has been three years in development."

CLICK FOR MORE »

1st Mattson SQ816 Sequencer & Division 6 Eurorack Panel Layout

via George C Mattson | Mattson Mini Modular on Facebook

"The first SQ816 sequencer and expansion module has left the building on it's way across the US to a customer who has promised to give it a good workout and report back. It's like sending your kid off to his first day of school....."

http://mattsonminimodular.com (SQ816 here)
http://www.division-6.com

Synthesizers.com Box11 Sequenced by Division 6 Mattson SQ816 Sequencer

Published on May 5, 2014 matrixsynth·311 videos

http://synthesizers.com
http://www.division-6.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com

All audio is from the Synthesizers.com Box 11 with light chorus and reverb from a TC Electronic M300.

The patch:

1st Q106 VCO Saw out set to constant pitch

2nd Q106 VCO Pulse Hard Synced to Pulse out of 1st Q106, & sequenced by SQ816. Adjusted Pulse Width modulation via 1st Q106 Triangle waveform, & Linear Frequency pitch modulated by a Mattson Mini Modular LFO triangle wave with adjustable skew shape. All manually adjusted.  The SQ816 is providing the gate for both Q109 envelopes, one set to the Filter and one to the VCA.

You can find extensive pics of this particular Synthesizers.com Box11 System here.

SQ816 Sequencer - Simple First Tests Part 3

Published on Feb 26, 2013 JohnLRice·190 videos

"Once again, me messing around with the a prototype of the new Division 6 eurorack version of George Mattson's SQ816 sequencer. This one is quick, a single patch I liked that I wanted to share."

All parts here.

via John Rice on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Update: behind the scenes:

"Probably most interesting was NO EGs or VCAs! The two MOTM-300 VCOs used were run through the new Happy Nerding Fun VCF and then out to the final mixer and panned in stereo. The three gate outputs I patched in were all routed to a Synthesizers.com Q961 Sequencer Interface (the first two to column A and the third to column By adding a longer "on time" to column B, combined with the Modcan 59B delay being relatively synced to the SQ816 (a Modcan 53B was the master clock with the slower subdivision going to the delay tempo sync) a pretty nice little syncopation emerged."

6U Makenoise Based Eurorack Modular with Division 6/Mattson SQ816 Sequencer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

Update: this appears to be the same system in the videos below. The SQ816 is S/N. E0002. The first machine-made production module.


makenoise and mattson thru corgasmatron 2 Published on Mar 11, 2013 brendon moeller·4 videos

getting a bassline going

Published on Mar 15, 2013

"using mattson SQ816 sequencer, acidlab M303, happy nerdings sawtor, intellijel korgasmatron ll, makenoise optomix"

Divison 6 Mattson Mini Modular Eurorack SQ816 Sequencer Demo

Published on Jan 8, 2013 matrixsynth·247 videos

The ending is the best part. Turn it up. I do not take responsibility if this sequence gets stuck in your head.

http://division-6.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com

5% discount with free domestic shipping until Sunday, Jan 13, 2013.

A simple sequence featuring the Division 6 eurorack format SQ816 sequencer by Mattson Mini Modular & Division 6. Two MMM VCOs & one Subconscious Communications Model 37 Voltage Controlled LFO / Utility Oscillator used as an oscillator for the high pitched sequence. A Juno-106 being driven by the SQ816 MIDI out comes in for that bonky wooden sound. Drums are provided by Tiptop Audio BD8008, SD808, and HATS808 modules. Reverb & Phaser provided by TC Electronic M300. You'll see me change the sequence to reverse followed by ping pong. I then apply an MMM LFO to the CV in which modulates everything being driven by the CV sequence. Note the Juno-106 is not affected over MIDI, which is nice in my opinion. It allows me to only apply modulation to certain aspects of the sequence. I then adjust the sequence rate for the grand finale. Enjoy, or not...

Mattson / Divsion 6 SQ816 Sequencer Power Up

Published on Dec 12, 2012 by mmmodsynth

"First of a series of videos to focus on the functions of the Mattson/ Division 6 SQ816 sequencer. In this video, I just show the power up routine and show how to get it sequencing. There's no audio. Subsequent videos will be short demonstrations of specific functions."

http://mattsonminimodular.com
http://www.division-6.com

Mattson SQ816 Sequencer with Lots of Jacklights

Published on Dec 14, 2012

"This a prototype of the Eurorack version of the Mattson SQ816 Sequencer. Each output has a Jacklight plugged into it for maximum shinyness. The lights give you a pretty good idea of what the output signals are doing.

More info at http://www.division-6.com"

A Visit to the Mattson Mini Modular Studio

I recently paid a visit to George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. Posted here is a collection of pics I took.  Click them for the full size glory, these are big pics.  I'll be posting a few more along with video of George taking me through the new Divison 6 Mattson SQ816 Sequencer (Mattson page here).  George Mattson designed the hardware, while Division-6 did the software.   Along with the Mattson and Division 6 eurorack formats, it will be available as a stand alone desktop sequencer.


This thing is going to be a beast.  If you are in the market for a hardware sequencer you are going to want to check this one out.   One thing I really like about the Mattson SQ816 is the individual gate outs for each step.  You can have a 16 step sequence with the main out driving the main sequence while having each step drive different drum modules.   In essence you get a main melody sequencer as well as 16 drum triggers.  You can of course gate anything including non percussive sounds.   The sequencer also supports MIDI out.

Also pictured is George's giant EML Mattson modular. It consists of vintage EML components and new designs from George Mattson. It is a monster. See the Mattson EML label for more, and don't miss the light show. :)  To the right of the EML Mattson modular and in the other pics you'll see the Mattson Mini Modular in different case formats. A eurorack system sits on a shelf over the long horizontal case.

2nd set of pics here.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Mattson SQ816 Sequencer Prototype

via Division 6 on Facebook

"Prototype panel board for the Mattson SQ816 sequencer. It's becoming a real thing!"

Division 6 Eurorack Format Mattson SQ816 Sequencer Video

Published on Jan 1, 2013 matrixsynth·247 videos

http://www.division-6.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sequencer

As promised, here is the video from my visit to George Mattson's studio. George gives us an overview of the Division 6 eurorack Mattson SQ816 sequencer. You'll find pics here.

Mattson / Division 6 SQ816 Random Test

YouTube Published on Aug 28, 2012 by mmmodsynth

"Cell video taken when I was testing two SQ816 prototypes.
They were both programmed to identical min7th scales. The A bus was the root, m3, 5, and m7. The B bus was just root and 5ths.
They were sync'd together in 16 channel Ping-Pong mode. While transposing the sequences, I'd hit the foot switch to make them both go into random mode. When transposing again, I'd hit the foot switch to bring them back to an ordered sequence."

http://www.mattsonminimodular.com/
http://www.division-6.com/

Division-6 Mattson SQ816 Coming to the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST

Just a heads up for those going to the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST, the Division-6 Mattson SQ816 will be on display and three units will be available for sale at a $850.00 each. That's a discount of $120.

http://division-6.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com