Flame TAKT User manual

RHYTHM SEQUENCER
EURO RACK MODULE
FLAME TAKT
USER GUIDE
Version 1.02

3.......... SHORT DESCRIPTION
4.......... MODULE OVERVIEW
5.......... CONNECTION TO THE MODULAR SYSTEM
6.......... CONNECTING THE SENSORS
7.......... FUNCTION OF THE SENSORS
8.......... TAKT BASIC STRUCTURE
9.......... MAIN MENUS OVERVIEW
10........ SEQUENCER DATA STRUCTURE
10..................... SCENE
10..................... PATTERN
10..................... FILL PATTERN
10..................... TRACK
10.........EDIT PATTERN, TRACK, STEPS
10..................... CLEAR, COPY, SWAP
11.........TRACK FUNCTIONS
11..................... HOLD, MUTE
11..................... VARIATION
12..................... VELO/MOD
12..................... QUANTIZE (Beat Quantize)
13..................... SHUFFLE
13..................... TRACKSHIFT
13..................... LASTSTEP
14.........RECORDING
14..................... SINGLE NOTES
14..................... SHOTS (Note repeat)
15..................... VELOCITY RECORDING
15..................... MOD CV RECORDING
15.........EDIT PHRASE (Shots Minisequences)
15..................... USER PHRASE
15..................... EUCLID PHRASE
16.........LFO - FUNKTIONS ÜBERBLICK
17..................... WAVE
19..................... PHASE
20..................... RATE / SYNC
21..................... AMP (LFO output level)
22..................... RANGE (voltage range)
23.........SETUP GLOBAL
23..................... CV Inputs USER 1+2
23..................... CLOCK Input
23..................... CLOCK Output
23..................... RESET Input
23..................... RESET Output
23..................... PATTERN CHANGE
23..................... AUTO-BAR-COPY
23..................... AUTOLOAD SCENE
23..................... SUN (Sensor sensitivity)
24.........MIDI SETUP
24..................... Track MIDI Receive channel
24..................... Track MIDI Transmit channel
24..................... Track MIDI Note numbers
24..................... Program change MIDI Receive channel
24..................... Program change MIDI Transmit channel
24..................... MIDI Clock Receiving
24..................... MIDI Clock Transmit
24..................... DUMP SCENE (Transmit or Receiving)
25.........FIRMWARE UPDATE
26.........QUICKSTART EXAMPLE
27.........TROUBLESHOOTING
28........ APPENDIX & TECHNICAL INFORMATIONS
Technical details
Warrenty
Terms of production
Disposal
Support
Acknowledgment
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2

3
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Thank you for purchasing the FLAME TAKT eurorack module!
“TAKT” is a compact 30TE Eurorack sequencer module for playing or programming trig-
ger/gate/velocity rhythm sequences.
The sequencer has eight tracks with trigger/gate outputs, eight velocity/modulation CV
outputs, and full MIDI functionality. The CV track can also be used independently as a
modulation track. Live sequencing in looper mode is possible in two ways: SHOTS for
playing "note repeats" or quantized triggering using buttons or sensors.
Four tracks each can be triggered simultaneously with four external distance sensors.
These sensors are just 2HP narrow modules that can be installed in the rack at desired
locations. These are connected directly to the module with narrow and sufficiently long
ribbon cables, which also supplies the sensors with the necessary operating voltage.
The four sensors and the connection cables are included in the scope of delivery. The
sensors generate triggers/gates and can be switched live as a set between tracks 1-4
and 5-8 (e.g. using a foot switch).
Four syncable LFOs with VCOs for amplitude adjustment are also available. The LFOs
are equipped with many interesting functions. This includes 26 different waveforms,
phase, amplitude, speed and output voltage. These can be unipolar or bipolar (0..+5v
or +/-5v) and can also be attenuated via AMP (amplitude) with a built-in VCA. This
means that the LFO outputs can also be adapted to modules that do not have an input
attenuator.
Patterns can be switched live and are each up to four bars long. Four patterns plus one
fill pattern are saved as one scene. 50 scenes can be permanently saved in the modu-
le. This means a total of 250 patterns are available.
Additional inputs and outputs are available for controls. There are four user-defined CV
inputs, as well as two programmable analog clock outputs. On the front there are MIDI
input and output as 3.5mm TRS-B sockets. Firmware updates can be done via MIDI-
SYSEX.

4
MODULE OVERVIEW
I/O-JACKS:
MIDI (Typ: TRS-B), Clock, Reset
USER1+2 input, LFO1-4 outputs
OUTPUTS:
8x Gate/Trigger
8x Velocity-CV/Modulation-CV
POTs: Variation, Gatetime
LFOs, SETUP & MIDI-Menu
POTs: Beat, Velocity
KEYs: Sensor-Set, Shots, Phrase, Bar
KEYs: Play, Pattern, Scene
KEYs: Record, Clear/Copy/Swap
KEYs: Functions
KEYs: Select tracks
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5
CONNECTION TO THE MODULAR SYSTEM
The module is delivered with a connected rib-
bon cable for the Doepfer Buss. The colored
wire indicates -12 volts.
It is important to pay attention to the correct
polarity when connecting. If the module is
accidentally polarized incorrectly, protective
diodes prevent the module from being
destroyed immediately (but it cannot be ruled
out that damage will still occur).
Therefore caution: Check the connection
several times before switching on for the first
time!
The current consumption of the module is up
to +130mA / - 30mA !
-12V
Ground Ground Ground
+12V

6
CONNECTING THE SENSORS
The 2HP sensors are connected to the switched-off module via a 60cm long 6-pin rib-
bon cable. There are four box connectors for the cables on the underside of the modu-
le.
Since there are only pin contacts on the underside of the sensors, care must be taken
to ensure correct polarity, otherwise the red LED could be damaged. The red marking
on the cable must match the dot marking on the sensor connection!
CAUTION:
Check the sensors before switching on for the first time!

7
FUNCTION OF THE SENSORS
With four sensors connected, the tracks can be played alternatively (as with the track but-
tons). If you move your hand over the sensor, the channel is triggered at a distance of
approximately 7..10 cm. The red LED on the sensor lights up as long as the sensor is trig-
gered.
The four sensors are permanently assigned to four
channels.
However, the SEN-SET button can be used to switch
between the assignment to channels 1-4 or 5-8.
If the LED is off (as shown above), then sensor 1 triggers channel 1, sensor 2 triggers channel 2,
sensor 3 triggers channel 3, etc.
If the LED lights up, then sensor 1 triggers channel 5, sensor 2 triggers channel 6, sensor 3 trig-
gers channel 7, etc.
TURN OFF SENSORS
In certain situations it can be helpful to switch off the sensors so that no triggers are trigge-
red. To do this, press and hold the SEN-SET button until it flashes. To reactivate the sen-
sors, press and hold the SEN-SET button again until it stops flashing.
SUN MODE
If the sensors are exposed to direct sunlight, they may trigger without being actuated. In
this case, the sensitivity can be reduced in the SETUP menu so that the sensors also work
correctly under these lighting conditions.
Go to SETUP - repeatedly press the SETUP button until the SUN menu appears on the
display. Set the value with the data slider to “ON” and exit the menu again. The setting is
permanently saved automatically.
NOTICE: In contrast to the track buttons or MIDI notes, which in SINGLE mode trigger the
channel in real time and are later quantized in the loop, the triggers for the sensors are set
and played for the next quantization step.
SENSOR
switching distance
approx. 7..10 cm
LED

8
8x OUT
Trigger/
GATE
0/+10v
Inputs
Trigger/Gate
8 Track-Buttons
Inputs
Trigger/Gate/Velo-CV
4 Sensors
MIDI Input
receive
MIDI-Notes
8x OUT
CV
Velocity/
Modulation
unipolar 0..+5v
DRUM-SEQUENZER
LOOPER
8 Tracks
4 Bars
4x OUT
bipolar +/-5v
unipolar 0..+5v
4 LFOs
2x Input
CLOCK/RESET 2x OUT
CLOCK/RESET
2x USER Input
Gate/Footpedal
MIDI
OUTPUT
CLOCK
TRIGGER
TAKT BASIC STRUCTURE
Essentially the module consists of two parts:
1. Sequencer (Looper)
8 tracks with two outputs per track for trigger/gate and CV (velocity or
modulation), as well as MIDI (note).
There are 5 patterns of 4 bars each available at the same time as a
“SCENE”. 50 scenes can be saved.
The resolution of the tracks is 96 ticks.
2. 4fold LFO
with separate outputs (bi- or unipolar), free-running, synced, or triggera-
ble by notes on a track.
The looper's tracks are recorded either by 8 track buttons on the device
or by four switchable external distance sensors or by received MIDI
notes.
There are analog inputs and outputs for CLOCK and RESET signals
respectively. There are also two programmable inputs USER 1+2 availa-
ble for connecting foot pedals or gate signals.

9
REC (NOTE)
TRACK-SHIFT
LASTSTEP
HOLD
REC (MOD-CV)
REC (nur Velo)
TEMPO
LOAD / SAVE
EDIT PHRASEN
SETUP & MIDI
WAVE
RATE
AMP
PHASE
SYNC
RANGE
MUTE
VARIATION
VELO/MOD
QUANTIZE
SHUFFLE
FUNCTIONS LFO
SCENE
“REC” (RECORD)
There are two RECORD buttons with three separate functions:
only NOTE on: Record of Note+Velocity
only MOD-CV on: Record the modulation CV
NOTE and MOD-CV on: Record only the velocity afterwards
“020” ... “200” Tempo in Bpm
see chapter LFO
“---” no values in the display
Use the track buttons to switch the function for the track
on or off; the track button LEDs show the status.
Select the track with the track buttons, the button LED
shows the selected track (with the exception of
SHUFFLE). Set values with the DATA wheel. Details in
the function chapters.
See the relevant chapters!
MAIN MENUS
You can switch through the MAIN menus by pressing the correspon-
ding button. This then lights up (or flashes).
The LFO buttons each have two functions. To select the function
above the button, press the button for longer than one second. Then
the button flashes. Values are then set using the data wheel and the
value is shown on the display.
In the HOLD, MUTE and VARIATION function menus, the TRACK
buttons are used to switch the function for the tracks on or off (the sta-
tus is shown by the track button LEDs).
In the other function menus, the track for which the setting is made is
selected using the track buttons.
The menus for editing the USER phrase and the EUCLID phrase
have a special position and sometimes require all track and function
buttons. To access these menus, press the corresponding button for
more than one second. Then the button flashes. Values are changed
in combination with the data wheel and/or the track and function but-
tons.
The EDIT USER Phrase Menu is basically an 8-channel, 16-step
sequencer (see EDIT PHRASE chapter).

SEQUENCER DATA STRUCTURE EDIT PATTERN, TRACK, STEP
SCENE
The notes, velocity and modulation data are stored in a SCENE. ASCENE consists of 4
patterns A-D and a FILL pattern. This also includes the settings of all LFOs and the set-
tings of the function menus (Hold, Mute, Variation, Velo/Mod, Quantize, Shuffle,
Trackshift and Laststep). Amaximum of 50 scenes can be saved in the TAKT.
When switching on, the scene preset in the SETUP menu is automatically loaded (AUTO-
LOAD “ALd”).
PATTERN
There are 5 loaded patterns within a scene. The structure of all patterns is the same.
Each pattern can be up to 4 bars long (this applies to all patterns). Each pattern has 8
tracks with a maximum resolution of one MIDI tick. That's 96 steps per measure. Only
one pattern can be played at a time. The pattern changes either to the next bar or “on the
fly” immediately (can be set in the SETUP menu pattern change “PtC” either with “bAr”
to the next bar or “FrE” Free=immediate). The following functions are available for orga-
nizing: delete a pattern, copy a pattern or swap two patterns.
FILL PATTERN
The FILL pattern can always immediately interrupt a pattern that is currently running. As
long as the FILL pattern is held down, only this pattern runs; when the button is released,
the previous pattern runs. Switch to a different pattern (than the one before FILL) by pres-
sing the new target pattern while FILL is active.
TRACK
Each pattern consists of 8 tracks. Arecorded note is played analogously as GATE via the
GATE output socket with the velocity (volume) on the CV output socket (via MIDI as a
NoteOn/NoteOff event). Each track can send and receive a specified note on a separate
MIDI channel.
Anote number must be set in the MIDI menu for each track. This note number is the
same globally for all scenes.
The following functions are available for organizing track data:
delete a track, copy a track or swap two tracks.
10
CLEAR FUNCTION (clear data)
While holding down the CLEAR button, press an additional key:
Track keys 1-8: deletes the step (trigger/gate) at the current position while the
sequencer is running
(analogous to SHOTS/SINGLE record) unquantized
Function keys 1-8: deletes the corresponding track as follows:
delete all triggers/gates, switch off MUTE+HOLD,
TRACK-SHIFT reset to 0, modulation track remains,
Last step remains
Pattern keys: deletes the entire pattern, but only at STOP!
COPY FUNCTION (copy data)
While holding down the COPY button, press additional key combination for:
Copy Pattern:
Use the pattern keys to press source and destination one after the other.
Copy Track:
Use the track buttons to press source and destination one after the other.
SWAP FUNCTION (swap data)
While holding down both COPY+CLEAR keys, press an additional key combination for:
Swap 2 patterns:
Use the pattern keys to press source and destination one after the other.
Swap 2 tracks:
Use the track buttons to press source and destination one after the other.