RYK Modular M185 User manual

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TEMPO
PORTAMENTO
GATE TIME / CTRL
STAGES
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START
STOP PREV
RESETNEXT
CV OUT
CV/GATE 2 CLK I/O
MIDI IN MIDI OUT
GATE OUT
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SEQUENCER
FXD
RND
PNG
FWD
AB
B
A
OFF
SET
STAGE CV
STAGE
INDICATORS
STAGE COUNT
STAGE GATE
MODE
RESET /
MENU
SPLIT MODE
SEQUENCE MODE
VOLTAGE MODE
/ GLIDE PROG
MIDI IN /
RESET IN

RYK M185 USER
MANUAL
Thanks for purchasing the M185 sequencer,
which is the first mass produced module for
the Roland System 100m in over 35 years !
The unique design of the M185 features
stage selectable gate modes and repeat
counts, enabling the creation of rhythmically-
complex melodies. Our new version of the
M185 features 2 channels of CV/Gate, 15
scale quantisation modes, and MIDI IN /OUT.
1.1 DESCRIPTION OF FUNCTIONS
STAGE CV
Turn the knob to set the CV for the stage.
STAGE INDICATORS
Red = Current stage(s)
Orange = Gate High stage(s)
Green = Glide on
STAGE COUNT
Slide to select the pulse count for the stage.
STAGE GATE MODE
Slide to select the Gate Out activity for the
stage:
Off: Gate low
Single gate: Gate high on the first
clock pulse of the stage, then low for
remaining clock pulses of the stage.
Multiple gate: Gate high on every
clock pulse of the stage.
Multiple gate / 2: Gate high on
every 2nd clock pulse of the stage.
Multiple gate / 3: Gate high on
every 3rd clock pulse of the stage.
Multiple gate / 4: Gate high on
every 4th clock pulse of the stage.
Probability / Programmable gate:
Probability: gate is randomly high or
low for each clock pulse of the stage.
Programmable: Programmable gate patterns
can be set [ SETTINGS MENUS page 5 ]
Long: Gate high for the entire length of
the stage.
TEMPO
Turn the knob to set the tempo.
PORTAMENTO
Turn the knob to set the amount of glide to the
CH1 CV Output.
[ This can be set On/Off per stage, in the
GLIDE PROG, see VOLTAGE MODE page 3 ].
STAGES
Turn this knob to set the number of stages
used in the sequence.
When in Fixed mode, the overall length of the
sequence is set in multiples of 4 clock pulses.
[ See Page 2 Sequence Mode - Fixed
Sequence Length ]
When in Split Mode, this determines the last
stage of sequence B.
GATE TIME/CH2 CV SET
Turn this knob to set the length of the gate
time.
When in GLIDE PROG, and the sequence is
stopped, turn this knob to set the Stored CV
value for the stage indicated by the flashing
Green LED.
The Stored CV values are used to control the
velocity of MIDI Notes, and CH2 CV when not
using A
B split mode.
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1

START/ STOP
Press this button to start or stop the internal
sequence clock .
[NB If using an external clock, it is a good idea
to stop the internal clock first ! ]
In the SETTINGS MENUS, the START/STOP
button is used to escape the current menu
level.
RESET
Push this button to reset the sequence to the
first stage.
Press and hold for approx 1 secs, to activate
the SETTINGS MENU.
In a Settings menu, push the RESET button
to toggle a function On/Off or enter a sub
menu.
When in GLIDE PROG , push the RESET
button to toggle On/Off the glide setting for
the stage indicated by the flashing Green
LED.
Stages with glide set On, are indicated by a
solid Green LED indicator.
PREV / NEXT
Push to step back or forward through the
Sequence or the Menus.
SEQUENCE MODE
Slide this switch to set the sequence play
mode.
FWD Forward, plays forwards in ascending
order. The sequence will reset after
the last stage set by the Stages-Control.
PNG Ping-Pong, plays forwards, when
reaching the last stage, the direction
reverses and plays back towards the first
stage.
RND Random, plays stages in random
order, from the range of stages set by
the Stages control.
In AB Split Mode, A or B will be choosen
randomly to play in Forward mode.
When in A
B Split Mode, the sequencer will
randomly choose stages from sequence A,
whilst sequence B plays in Forward mode.
FXD: Fixed Length, play forwards, until a
fixed number of clock pulses have elapsed,
before restarting from the first stage.
The sequence length of clock pulses is
determined by the value of the Stages Control
multiplied by 4.
FIXED LENGTH TIP:
Set the STAGES to “4”; the sequencer will
play 16 clock pulses of the sequence before
resetting.
The sequence length is not afftected by the
total value of the Stage Counts.
This mode is great for locking a sequence to a
drum-machine for repeating groove type
sequences.
SPLIT MODE
Slide this switch to select and set the Split
Mode settings.
OFF No Split, plays without any split.
AB Serial Split Mode, plays Sequence A
“X” times, then plays Sequence B “Y”
times.
A
BParallel Split Mode, simultaniously
plays Sequence A and Sequence B.
Sequence A CV/GATE are ouput to CH1 and
MIDI Note output.
Sequence B CV/GATE are output to CH2.
SET Enables setting the split point, and
repeat counts for A and B Sequences.
To setup a sequence split, use the
PREV/NEXT controls to move the Green LED
cursor to define the Split point [ start of
Sequence B ], then press RESET to set the
point.
Next, use the PREV/NEXT controls to move
the Green LED cursor to define the repeat
count of Sequence A, then push RESET to
set.
Finally, use the PREV/NEXT controls to move
the Green LED cursor to define the repeat
count of Sequence B, then push RESET to
set.
Once this is complete, move the switch to
select AB serial split, or A
B parallel split.
2

SERIAL SPLIT MODE TIP: To set up an AAAB
type structure, where Sequence A plays
STAGES 1-4 three times, then Sequence B
plays STAGES 5-8 once;
Set the following values 5, 3, 1 respectively.
5 = Split point, 3 = A repeats, 1 = B repeats.
When in A
B Split Mode, the sequencer will play
both A & B sequences simultaneously, but
the B repeat count is used as a clock-count
multiplier.
Eg. If B repeats are set to 3, and a Stage
Count on Sequence B is set to 4, then that
stage will play 12 clock pulses. [ 3 x 4 = 12 ]
VOLTAGE MODE
Slide this switch to set the voltage range of
the CV.
For CH1 this can be set to 2V Quantised, 5V
Quantised, or 5V Non-Quantised.
For CH2 2V or 5V Quantised only.
GLIDE PROG is used to set the glide
On/Off per stage.
Also, if the sequencer is stopped, Stored CV
values for CH2 CV and MIDI Note Velocity can
also be set.
To set the glide per stage, use the
PREV/NEXT controls to select a stage,
indicated by the flashing Green LED.
Push RESET to toggle On/Off the Glide
setting for this stage. Stages with glide set On
are indicated by a solid Green LED.
When the sequencer is stopped, the GATE
TIME control is used to adjust the Stored CV
value of the stage indicated by the flashing
Green LED.
These Stored CV values are used for the
velocity of MIDI Note output.
When not in A
B Split Mode, the Stored CV
values are output from the CH2 CV output.
NB On the back LHS of the module there is a
micro switch to select 2V or 5V for the
non-quantised CH1 CV range.
CV OUT
CH1 CV output from the current stage in the
Sequence.
[NB Stages set to Gate Mode Off do not
update the CV Output]
GATE OUT
Gate output from the current stage in the
Sequence.
CV/GATE 2 / SYNC OUT
A combined stereo jack socket for CH2 CV
output for the Stored CV of current stage,
and CH2 Gate or Sync pulse for start of
sequence.
In A
B Split Mode, the CV and Gate from
Sequence B are output from this jack,
otherwise the Gate outputs the sync pulse.
Use the supplied Y-cable for CV [ Black jack ],
and Gate [ Grey jack ].
TIP: If using only the CV of CH2, a standard
mono jack cable can be used instead.
CLOCK IO
Can be used for clock input, or clock output.
[NB If using an external clock, it is a good idea
to stop the internal clock first ! ]
MIDI IN / RESET IN
Can accept MIDI CLOCK from external units
such as drum machines, and also MIDI NOTE
input for shifting the Root Note key of the
sequence for quantised scales.
When the RESET menu option is selected,
MIDI IN becomes a RESET input, to reset the
sequnce to the first stage.
MIDI OUT JACK
Outputs MIDI NOTES from CH1, and MIDI
CLOCK sync, with stop, start, reset
commands.
NB On the back bottom edge of the module
PCB are two micro switches to set the type of
TRS MIDI.
The supplied cable is Type B, which we
recommend. 3

2.1 SETTINGS MENUS
LEVEL 1 TOP MENU
1 - Scale Quantise selection Sub Menu
2 - Programmable Gate Pattern Sub Menu
3 - Long Gate Slur ON/OFF
4 - A + B Sequence CV offset ON/OFF
5 - Clock multiply ON/OFF
6 - MIDI Input / Reset Input Toggle
7 - Seqeunce B Gate -> Reset ON/OFF
8 - Pre / Post Scale Root Note offset
To access the settings menus, push and hold
RESET for approx 1 sec, until the animation of
Red LEDs appears.
2.2 LEVEL 1 TOP MENU
The top level SETTINGS MENU is indicated by
Green Toggle ON/OFF LEDs, and a Red cursor
LED.
Use the PREV/NEXT controls to move the Red
cursor LED to the required item, then push
RESET to toggle the item ON or OFF, or if
available enter the sub menu for that item.
When in the SETTINGS MENUS,
Push RUN/STOP to escape the current menu
level.
1. Scale Quantise Sub Menu
[see page 5 for sub menu]
2. Programmable Gate Pattern Sub Menu
[see page 5 for sub menu]
3. Long Gate Slur ON/OFF
When set ON, the Gate is not cleared at the
end of Long Gate mode, allowing for a
continuous gate to the next stage.
TIP: Set glide on for the stage after a Long
Gate with slur, to create a TB303 style slide.
4. A + B CV offset ON/OFF
When set ON, the CV from Sequence B is
added to the CH1 CV to create root note
offsets, or key changes. [ NB MIDI NOTE input
root note offset will be deactivated ]
TIP: Create a looped pattern in Sequence A,
then using a slower pattern in Sequence B to
change the key of Sequence A.
5. Clock multiply ON/OFF
When set ON the sequencer clock [ internal or
external ] is doubled, enabling 16th notes from
8th note clock. This is especially suited to
syncing with units that have 2PPQ clocks
such as Korg Volca units or Teenage
Engineering Pocket Operator units.
6. MIDI Input / Reset Input Toggle
The MIDI Input jack can be switched between
MIDI IN [ OFF ] or as Reset Input [ ON ]. When
using as a Reset Input please switch the MIDI
TRS switch on the back of the module to
position ‘B’
7. Sequence B Gate -> Reset ON/OFF
When set to ON, this enables Resets of
Sequence A to be triggered by a Gate high
from Seqeunce B
8 - Pre / Post Scale Root Note offset
Root note, A+B CV, and MIDI IN offsets can be
applied Pre [ OFF ] or Post [ ON ] to the scale
quantise.
4

The level 2 SUB MENUS are indicated by Red
toggle ON/OFF LEDS, and a Green cursor
LED.
1. Scale Quantise Sub Menu
Use PREV/NEXT to move the Green LED to
the required stage, then push RESET to
select the scale.
Push once for the main scales [ Red LED ],
and push again to toggle to the alternates
scales [ Orange LED ], see above..
Root Note setting.
Turn the GATE TIME knob to adjust the scale
root note from C to B in semitones.
Push RUN/STOP to escape the Sub Menu,
back to the Top Menu.
2. Programmable Gate Pattern Sub Menu
Allows setting of custom gate patterns for
Gate Mode “?”
Push PREV / NEXT to move the Green cursor
LED to the required position, then push
RESET to toggle each position ON/OFF,
indicated be lit Red LEDs.
Probability Random Gate is set by turning off
all the positions.
TIP: Tip to set up a gate pattern that plays the
1st, 4th, 5th clock pulses, set the LEDs to the
following pattern:
Once the required settings have been chosen,
push RUN /STOP to exit the menu back to
Level 1 menu, push again to return to
sequencer mode.
Whilst the sequencer is running an animated
geeen LED illustrates the clock pulse position
whilst playing a Programmable Gate Pattern
stages.
2.3 SETTINGS SUB MENUS
LEVEL 2 SCALE QUANTISE SUB MENU
1 - OFF/Chromatic
Diminished
2 - Major
Pentatonic major
3 - Minor
Pentatonic minor
4 - Major 6th
Dorian
5 - Minor 6th
Phrygian
6 - Major 7th
Lydian
7 - Minor 7th
Mixolydian
8 - Iwato
Locrian
5

3.1 SEQUENCER UTILITY MODES
There are several utility modes that can be
accessed by holding down certain buttons
whilst switching on power to the M185.
3.2 MIDI TO CV MODE
With this mode the M185 can be used as a
MIDI to CV converter.
Push the PREV control whilst powering up,
continue to hold until the LEDs stop moving,
before releasing the button.
Connect a MIDI source such as a keyboard to
the MIDI IN socket via the supplied MIDI/TRS
cable.
Turn the STAGES knob to select the MIDI
Channel for MIDI input.
The MIDI note input is converted to CV and
GATE which are output from CH1.
Velocity or modulation CVs are output from
CH2.
Slide the MODE switch to select one of the
following options for the CH2 CV output.
FWD CV2 outputs the Velocity of the MIDI
note.
PNG CV2 outputs the Bender Wheel data.
RND CV2 outputs the Modulation Wheel
data.
3.3 - UTILITY MENU
Push RUN/STOP whilst powering up until the
LEDs stop moving, before releasing the
button.
The UTILITY MENU is indicated by Green
Toggle ON/OFF LEDs, and a Red cursor LED.
Use the PREV/NEXT controls to move the
Red cursor LED to the required item, then
push RESET to toggle the item ON or OFF, or
if available enter the sub menu for that item.
1. Master / Slave select
Two M185 modules can be slaved together to
create sequences with up to 16 stages.
Use a 3x2 ribbon cable, to connect the SLAVE
socket on the back of both modules, making
sure the polarity is correct.
Push RESET to toggle MASTER MODE
ON/OFF.
Push RUN/STOP to start sequencer mode.
If succesfully slaved, a red LED will animate
from the Master module to the Slave module.
All fucntions and outputs [ apart from
individual stage controls ] are from the Master
module.
The Stages control, for lenght of sequence
etc becomes 9-16 [ rather than 1-8 ] when
using two modules in Master/Slave mode.
2. MIDI CH & Clock Subdiv Sub Menu
Used to set the MIDI Channel for the MIDI
Note output and input. Also the MIDI Clock
subdivision for the MIDI clock / internal clock .
For Clock Subdivide
Push PREV / NEXT to move the Red LED to
the required stage to select the subdivide
amount.
Each stage represents a multiple of 6,
displayed by a lit Red LED.
TIP: Stage 1 = Subdivision of 6 , Stage 4 =
Subdivision of 24
For MIDI Channel
Turn the Gate Time knob to select the MIDI
IN/OUT Channel, indicated by the Green LED.
3.4 - FIRMWARE UPLOAD MODE
Push RESET whilst powering up the module.
The sequencer will indicate Firmware Update
mode with the top first 2 red LEDs.
Firmware is updated using MIDI sysex files
transfered to the module via the MIDI input.
When shipped the firmware version is
indicated on the back of the socketed
microcontroller chip. Check the RYK shop or
Instagram for firmware updates. 6

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