Step Sequencer

Step sequencer with pattern locks and Euclidean rhythms.

What it does

Step Sequencer steps through a pattern of fixed length, once per beat division, and outputs a gate pulse plus up to four value lanes for each step: classic parameter-lock sequencing. It runs from its own internal BPM clock, or from an external Trigger signal where a rising edge advances one step. A Reset input snaps it back to step 0.

Each step carries its own value on lanes A–D, its own on/off state, its own probability of firing, and its own ratchet count, meaning quick sub-triggers within a single step. One sequencer therefore drives several parameters at once, with a different rhythm and value on every step. Gate patterns come from a manual on/off list or from a Euclidean rhythm generator. Direction controls whether the pattern plays forward, backward, bounces, or wanders randomly.

When to use it

ParameterTypeDefault
triggerOneOf([Boolean, Number])
resetOneOf([Boolean, Number])
bpmNumber120
divisionString"1/8"
stepsNumber16
directionString"Forward"
swingNumber0
gate_modeString"Manual"
gate_patternString""
euclidean_fillsNumber4
euclidean_rotationNumber0
probabilityString""
ratchetString""
values_aString""
values_bString""
values_cString""
values_dString""
runBooleantrue

Gotchas

The gate, probability, ratchet, and value-lane inputs are comma-separated per-step lists. Left empty, each falls back to a default for every step: gate all-on, probability 100%, ratchet 1, and each value lane 0.0.

Euclidean Fills and Euclidean Rotation take effect only when Gate Pattern Source is set to Euclidean. In Manual mode they are ignored in favour of the Gate Pattern list.

Leave Trigger unconnected to run from the internal BPM clock. Wire something into Trigger and the sequencer switches to external-clock mode, advancing only on that signal's rising edges, which locks it to another node's beat or to a live input.

Worked example

  1. Add a Step Sequencer. Set Steps to the pattern length you want, and leave Trigger unconnected to use the internal clock at the given BPM.

  2. Set Gate Pattern Source to Euclidean, then raise Euclidean Fills to spread that many hits evenly across the pattern.

  3. Type a comma-separated list into Values A, one number per step, and wire the Value A output into the parameter you want to modulate.

  4. Wire the Gate output into a trigger-driven node to fire it in sync with the pattern.

See also

ADSR · State Machine · Score · Numbers, signals & audio