hi bakis, i am thrilled to see this A154 sequencer gaining some steam
at the doepfer werkshoppe. i have a few suggestions that would be
nice to see implemented.

--- In Doepfer_a100@y..., bakis Sirros <synth_freak_2000@y...> wrote:
> hi list,
> info from dieter doepfer:
> dieter says:
> "Hi Bakis,
>
> back from holidays and the workshop at the Music Shop
> in Munic here is my
> comment to the A-155 and A-107 discussion:
>
> 1. New A-155 control board
> ==========================
>
> The A-155 control board (this is the small board with
> the 4 buttons and 4 jack
> sockets) has a 10 pin connector that is used to
> control the analog boards
> (potentiometers) and the gate/trigger board
> (switches). The 10 pins of this
> connector have the following functions:
>
> A0, A1, A2 (adresses for 4051 multiplexer on
> potentiometer and trigger boards)
> Clock
> +12V (2x)
> GND (2x)
> -12V (2x)
>
> As some members assumed the basic concept of the A-155
> uses the CD4024 binary
> counter and the CD4051 analog multiplexers.
>
> It would be possible to develop a new A-155 controller
> board (A-154 ) that
> includes additional features. The new controller
> module would have to be
> arranged near the A-155 at the right side and the 10
> pin connector would have to
> be removed from the "old" controller board and
> connected to the new one.
>
> Possible features would be:
>
> Different running modes (forward, backward, random,
> pendulum, one shot and so
> on, similar to MAQ16/3, maybe voltage controlled
> running mode )

yes to all of the above.


> voltage controlled addressing of the active step
> control input for up/down (digital input)
> or different clock inputs for up and down

yes again

>
> We could use a PIC (as suggested of one of the
> members) to include all the new
> functions. The main questions are:
>
> - is there sufficient demand for a new sequencer
> control board

i think there will be if it is feature laden and useful.
count me in for 2 at least.

> - how and which functions should be realized
> - design of the user "interface" (i.e. how should be
> distinguished between the
> different running modes:


you could have eight led's in a horizontal line close together to
indicate the direction .i.e,

chasing one another to the right for forward movement
chasing one another to the left for reverse movement
chasing one another to the right then back to the left for pendulum
mode 1 and flashing the last leds twice for pendulum mode 2
random is just what it means a random diplay of its position.

the plus side to this is its cheap and would provide a cool light
show as well. hint blue led's


>
> version 1: manual control of running mode (e.g. with
> up/down buttons and LED
> display)
> version 2: voltage controlled selection of running
> mode (manual control + CV
> input with attenuator)
> version 3: up/down control input and only one clock
> input
> version 4: two clock inputs for clock up and clock
> down
> version 5: ......
>
> If we use a PIC with internal ADC it would also be
> possible to include an
> internal voltage controlled clock (e.g. altogether 3
> CV inputs: one for running
> mode selection, one for voltage controlled addressing
> of sequencer step, one for
> VC clock, each with manual and attenuated CV input).
> Random clock would be
> possible as well.

i think you should go the PIC route and really soup up the module.

HERE IS THE ONE FEATURE THAT I CRAVE FOR.

A FEW OF THESE 10 PIN CONNECTORS FOR LONGER SEQUENCES.

i.e. it would be nice to have a buss system for having sequences
greater than 8 steps. ideally the proposed A154 should have 2 or 4
of the 10 pin connectors on the module. you could derive the clock
for all of the A155's and allow for voltage control selection for
sequences of 8 steps and the analog selection addressing.

this way you label the busses A, B, C and D, you then have a pot on
the module to decide how sequencers are linked together for voltage
control selection. if you decide you only want 8 steps then you
leave it to A position and all of the sequencers connected to the
buss behave independently of one another but synced to together. you
want 16 steps you turn the knob to the AB position, 24 steps turn to
the ABC position and ABCD for a 32 step sequence. the last position
would be AB and CD for 2 16 step sequences. obviously this would
work on how many A155's you have connected to the buss.i have 4
A155's would love the to have the ability to have these functions
available.

i know people will say you can only fit 2 A155's in a 6U case, but
there are people who use other cabinets to house their modules.
maybe you could make a 4HP panel to allow for more sequencers to be
connected together in separate 6U cases.

another idea would be to have a last step reset switch, so you can
have your all sequencers start on step 1 when you start them from
another sequencer, master start and stop controller or midi.

>
> Many ideas, but which of these make sense and how
> should they be realized (which
> controls, inputs, display ....).
>
> The problem is not to develop a new controller for the
> A-155 but if there is
> sufficient demand and which functions are necessary
> and how should they be
> controlled by the user.
>
>


regards
RM