CYCLE is a modular monophonic sequencer, based on eurorack physical format it has however no patch cables in the front but has rather midi jacks in the back.
It is based on Motherboard, my modular platform, see in there for schematics.
You can get the PCBs and front panel here:
https://ghostintranslation.bandcamp.com/merch/cycle-panel-and-pcb
- 8 steps
- 8 directions
- 8 scales
- 8 octaves
- MIDI over USB
- MIDI over mini jack
Height: 3U / 128.5mm
Width: 16HP / 80mm
What things you need to make it work:
1 Teensy 4.0
1 MOTHERBOARD12A pcb
1 MOTHERBOARD12B pcb
1 CYCLE front panel pcb
8 vertical linear 10K potentiometers
1 vertical rotary encoder
3 D6 push buttons
3 14 pins male header
5 14 pins female header
1 5 pins female header
1 5 pins female headers
8 CD4051 multiplexers
8 DIP16 IC sockets (optional)
2 3.5mm jack connectors
1 resistor ~ 22ohm
12 LED
1 4 positions dipswitch (optional)
Here is a list of useful links to get these parts: https://github.com/ghostintranslation/parts
Note:
- The resistor doesn't need to be high because the multiplexers already are resistive, so try a few values. You can place the resistor and LEDs without soldering to test, there should be enough contact.
- The dipswitch is optional, without it the module will listen to channel 1.
- Solder male 14 pins headers on the audio board
- Solder 14 pins long female header and 5 pins male header on Teensy
- Solder 14 pins male headers on MOTHERBOARD12A
- Place the buttons, rotary encoder and LEDs on MOTHERBOARD12A, and attach the front panel
- Solder the buttons, rotary encoder and the LEDs
- Place the 14 pins and 5 pins female headers for the Teensy on MOTHERBOARD12B, insert the Teensy on them, then solder the headers
- Detach the Teensy for now
- Solder the jack connectors, the dipswitch and the resistor on MOTHERBOARD12B
- Place 14 pins female headers on MOTHERBOARD12B, connect MOTHERBOARD12A on them, then solder the headers
- Detach the boards for now
- Solder IC sockets on IC1, IC2, IC5, IC6, IC7 and IC8 positions on MOTHERBOARD12B
- Add the multiplexers on the sockets, connect the 2 boards and connect the Teensy and audio board
Note: Be careful how you place the buttons and rotary encoder:
In order to run any sketch on the Teensy you have to install Arduino and the Teensyduino add-on. Follow the instructions from the official page: https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/teensyduino.html
- Then open
Cycle.inolocated in theCyclefolder of this repo. - In the Tools -> USB Type menu, choose
Serial + midi. - Plug the Teensy to your computer with a micro USB cable. (It's ok if the Teensy is on the module)
- Then just click the arrow button to upload the code
1. Default screen
- Each pair of LED-Potentiometer represent a step.
- The LED indicates when the step is active.
- The potentiometer sets the note of the step within 2 octaves.
- At 0 the note is muted
2. Clock
1. Usage
- A long press on the Clock rotary will enter the Clock mode screen.
- Turn the rotary while in this mode to select between Follower and Leader modes.
- Press to validate and exit
1. Leader
- Sends MIDI clock and song position messages
- Turn the rotary to increments or decrements the tempo
- Press to toggle Play/Stop
2. Follower
- Synchronize its steps to the received clocks and song position messages
- Turn the rotary to choose between 8 values to divide the received clock
- Press to toggle Play/Stop
2. Display
- Leader is a slow blink, Follower is a fast blink
3. Direction
1. Usage
- Press once the Direction button to enter the Direction screen.
- Press again the button while in this screen to change the Direction.
2. Modes
1. Forward
2. Backward
3. Pendulum
- Going forward and backward alternatively
4. Sawtooth
- 1,5,2,6,3,7,4,8
5. Transposer
- The bar becomes 4 steps. The 4 steps at the top are being transposed by the 4 steps at the bottom.
6. Pendulum Transposer
7. Alternate Transposer
- Alternates between 4 top steps and 4 bottom steps being transposed by 1 alternating step on the oposite side.
8. Random
- Random steps, avoid repeating notes by leaving blanks.
3. Display
- The selected direction is indicated by a blinking LED.
- Screen stays 1s after last press.
4. Scale
1. Usage
- Press once the Scale button to enter the Scale screen.
- Press again the button while in this screen to change the Scale.
- Choose between no scale (first choice) and 7 scales.
2. Display
- The selected scale is indicated by a blinking LED.
- Screen stays 1s after last press.
5. Octave
1. Usage
- Press once the Octave button to enter the Octave screen.
- Press again the button while in this screen to change the Octave.
2. Display
- The selected octave is indicated by a blinking LED.
- Screen stays 1s after last press.
All of the inputs are available via MIDI CC.
CYCLE supports MIDI in and out via USB and TS jack. It sends out MIDI notes and clock/start/stop/song position messages.
The MIDI in default settings are:
CC 0 = Note 1
CC 1 = Note 2
CC 2 = Note 3
CC 3 = Note 4
CC 4 = Note 5
CC 5 = Note 6
CC 6 = Note 7
CC 7 = Note 8
CC 8 = Clock (tempo)
CC 9 = Direction
CC 10 = Scale
CC 11 = Octave
These settings can be changed in the code or via the web editor: http://ghostintranslation.com/editor
Important:
The MIDI input and output jacks are directly connected to the Teensy serial input and output. That means there is not protection against voltage or current. It is primarily ment to connect 2 of these modules, or 2 Teensy together. If you want to connect something else to it make sure to provide a maximum of 3.3v and 250 mA.
- Fix some clock sync issues
- Use LEDs for Direction/Scale/Octave
You can find me on Bandcamp, Instagram, Youtube and my own site:
https://ghostintranslation.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ghostintranslation/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcyUTGTM-hGLIz4194Inxyw
https://www.ghostintranslation.com/
To support my work:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ghostintranslation
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE.md file for details