New sequencer module cannot handle reverse time
In contrast to the CV sequencer, the new sequencer module doesn’t seem to work with reverse time.
I am trying to make the new sequencer module to step backwards on an incoming clock pulse. Because this is not possible, I am trying to use a counter module and the reverse time module.
If this cannot be fixed, then I would suggest for the “Rate” knob to act as a forwards / backwards selector when in time mode.
Comments
Don’t know what you’re doing but rate -1 gets the sequencer going backwards, here.
edit: that is on host mode. In time mode you have to build the time signal yourself and connect it to the seq time. It can still go backwards if your time signal decreases
For instance this cycles a 4/4 pattern backwards. Since you’re building the time signal it is no longer in sync with the main tempo, the LFO freq controls the tempo.
In case you don’t know, the time signal counts beats, so what I have here is a ramp down scaled to the range 4 to 0
(just noticed rate turned down in the picture, unintentionally, but rate becomes irrelevant in this scenario, I think…)
This is my setup. Connecting the sequencer directly to the counter works and the sequencer advances one step when you press a key. However, going via reverse time doesn’t. When I use the CV sequencer instead everything works. I think the problem is that the reverse time module creates negative control voltages and the sequencer does not handle these properly. Subtracting the counter output from 4 works, but when you want to change sequence lengths etc. things get complicated:
Maybe I don’t understand what you’re trying to do, the counter as far as I can see is doing nothing for you patch. The reverse time makes the time signal go from 0 to -4, so if you add 4, again you have the sequencer looping backwards
The reverse module doesn't seem to work on it unless I'm just doing something wrong but you can just turn the rate knob to -1
It looks like rate and speed are ignored when in Time input mode, is that correct?
In that mode, the sequencer can go in reverse, but apparently can't handle negative clock values, which the CV sequencer can. It's easy to test by connecting a default knob to the time input.
I am trying to have the sequencer advance one step on an incoming clock pulse exactly like the CV sequencer does. And I want to be able to do this in both directions.
The problem with the new sequencer module is a missing clock mode. Ideally linked to the Rate knob to allow switching the direction. And from the time input mode I would expect the sequencer to jump to the end of the sequence the moment the signal goes below zero, and then just move and cycle in reverse direction.
You are using Host sync mode. In this mode the Time input does not matter. You have to use Time mode.
Thats correct.
My point is that the Reverse Time module doesn’t work with the Midi Sequencer module. Even in Time input mode the Reverse Time module does not make it play in reverse the way it does on CV Sequencer.
I’m no expert but time input mode means you’re supplying your own time signal (which is +1 for each beat, but there can be a number of steps per beat… 4 being most common)
It doesn’t make sense for rate and speed to have an effect here, cause you’re baking your own tempo
And you can totally make it run backwards
That's understandable I think. Not handling negative values seems like an omission, though.
Edit: in other words, I wouldn't describe the problem as that the sequencer can't go in reverse, but that I doesn't wrap around when time goes below zero.
Just add a positive offset to the number. I think you’re expecting time to go negative, but it should decrease instead. Start from the end of your sequence (adjust the number of beats) and count down, using this as the time input
That works for a while. So let’s use a large number. I could add 40000 and have over 5 hours reverse sequence time at 120 bpm. 😉
Tonight I'll Drambyself to sleep 😄
It looks like the numbers can be really large, so that should make the offset workaround more practical. I still think it is a real issue though.
Agreed, Midi Sequencer should accept negative values too (and wrap around if necessary).
For those who are interested I have just released “Time Machine”, a Drambo module that provides a continuous time signal that advances with every clock pulse. It is possible to go both forward and reverse, and it works with the new sequencer as it is not using “negative time”.
This was quite some work, but a good neat little project for a day resting with a sore back after a small non-serious horse riding accident (the horse is OK) ….