8 step sequencer

This is the second sequencer I have designed and created. It is an eight step sequencer built around a 4017 decade chip. It has a toggle switch that can switch between a full gated step or a pulsed trigger. Each step can be switched on or off and each step also has a voltage control that can be sent to a VCO. The step repeat can be varied between 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 steps.

I shot this video before I had the knobs for the voltage control pots, which is why they are missing. Also, I am only demonstrating the trigger control on the Casio-SK1's sequencer. I sequenced a little tune and then let the sequencer trigger the sequence via the one note playback hack I did on the SK1.

The sequencer does not have its own clock. Instead it is gets its clock signal from an external source, in this case from my for step sequencer on the left.

I economically purchased the parts from the Reuseum in Boise. Here is their site: http://www.reuseum.com

The edges are a bit rough as I cut all the openings into the project box with a cheap switch blade.

Just recently I took the sequencer over to my friends palce and he shot some video as I showed him this sequencer. Here is his youtube post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg6ukKTCK7M

Category:

Music

Tags:

• DIY
• eight
• step
• 4017
• sequencer
• moog
• synthesizer
• sk1
• sampler
• owyheesound
• circuit
• bent
• bending
• lelcetronic
• music
• nathan
• snyder
• boise
• idaho

[bumbleroach]

How do you wire up the LEDs to light with each step? I am using a 4017 chip for a sequencer I have connected to an APC, but my lights only light up at the same time mostly...

[nathanielscott]

@bumbleroach When a 4017 is connected to a clock but does not have its own power connected it can erratically, sometimes like what you are describing. Check your power connections. Pin 16 should be connected to the positive side of your power supply and pin 8 should be connected to the negative side.

Or you may be under powering the chip.

Also, pin 15 should be connected to the negative side of your power source if you want the chip to cycle more than once.

[Pied777]

Hi man awesome project ! Got a question for you : I wanna get into electronics and build myself some kind of synth like that. Is there any websites or documentations you could refer me to ? Where should I start ? Any help would be appreciated thanks !

[nathanielscott]

@Pied777 I wish I knew of a good resource for you. I started with a science fair electronics lab from radio shack. I think it is really good for beginning. They are cheap on ebay. You can check out videos of them on youtube.

[rockangel1967]

very cool. is the oscilator built in? or just the step secuencer? im usualy a tube amp builder but im building a simpe sequencer now with a 555 and a 4017. dont know yet how i will build the oscilator but i might use a 555 too

[nathanielscott]

@rockangel1967 It is just a sequencer. It is driving the casio-SK-1 to the right which I modified to accept a trigger from the sequencer. The 555 is a good chip to use to build an oscillator but any op amp can be designed to self oscillate, and even a pair of nor gates or a pair inverters can be used to create a voltage controlled oscillator that would work well with a sequencer that uses a 4017 as its counter. I would recommend using buffers like a 4050 to boost the output of the 4017.

[jjvilm]

i loved the song! it was so calmed and omg i dont know, words cannot explain the feeling you get out of listening to that

[perfumepod]

ART!!!! very very COOL!!

[BelfonteFurnace]

@Pied777 Google Music From Outer Space or MFOS. Theres tons of great stuff on that site and electronic kits for sale.

[nughaga]

i hear a whole phrase of music, but i only see 8 steps (or less, when the side knob is turned) this is defenetly plugged into more than just speakers. what else is there creating various 8-step sequences?

[TheGrego71]

Hope you're still looking at this. How do you get the switches to skip some of the lights?

[yowillyjj]

This video is an inspiration to me..Thanks

[RMoribayashi]

I particularly liked the panel design. Straight on it looks like a printed circuit board. The switches even look like surface mount chips.

[V19torrent]

oh awesome man. damn i wish I could make stuff like that. The combination of the imperfect physical design and the gloomy progression of notes reminded me of a nightmare before christmas or something. Like you made your own little frankenstein.

[JAMESveeder]

@nathanielscott i get SO tired of all of the drones and screeching though, this was very refreshing.

[JAMESveeder]

beautiful noise.

[rockangel1967]

@nathanielscott

that is exactly the problem i have. the output signal of my 4017 is so waek i struggle to pull enough power for a 40106 or 4093. thanks for the tip