Tubbutec 6equencer User manual

Tubbutec 6equencer
User manual

Features
•Step-based drum sequencer with 8 instruments
inspired by the TR-606.
•Compatible with analogue and midi-based systems
•16 patterns, chainable in song mode,
up to 32 patterns in a song
•Forward, backward, ping-pong and
random play for patterns and songs
•Mute instruments live
•Probability control of steps
•Record steps by tapping or via midi
•Clear steps while playing
•Pattern length can be set individually
•Copy, Paste and Clear patterns in song mode
•All features can be used while sequences are playing
•8 trigger outputs with adjustable trigger length, midi out
•Analogue or midi clock input with adjustable clock divider
•Multiple 6equencers can be chained to achieve longer
sequences or more instruments.
•Trigger and record via midi in, doubles as midi interface
•Trigger midi instruments via midi out
•Very compact, yet versatile: 3HE * 6HP
, or 1U Intellijel

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Table of contents
Features ............................................................................2
Introduction ....................................................................... 6
6equencer user interface ................................................... 8
Inputs, outputs and clock .................................................. 9
Pattern view ....................................................................10
Selecting the active instrument ........................................... 10
Programming a pattern ....................................................... 10
Dening the length of a pattern ........................................ 11
Copy and paste in pattern view......................................... 11
Editing and performance features in Pattern View .......... 12
Play directions ................................................................... 12
Recording steps live (TAP) ................................................. 13
CLEAR steps........................................................................ 14
MUTE instruments ............................................................... 14
Probability control ............................................................... 15
Song View.......................................................................16
Changing the current pattern ............................................ 16
Programming a new song.................................................. 17
Copy and paste patterns..................................................... 19
Clear patterns...................................................................... 19
Changing the direction a Song plays .................................. 19
Saving patterns and song................................................ 20
Using 6equencer as a Midi interface...............................20
Output modes and pulse lengths.................................... 21
Accented pulse length ........................................................ 21
LINKing multiple 6equencers .......................................... 22
Serial mode ....................................................................... 22
Parallel mode..................................................................... 23
Combining LINK modes...................................................... 23

Other uses of the LINK interface......................................... 23
Cong menu.................................................................... 24
Cong parameters............................................................. 25
Midi ................................................................................. 27
Midi TRS connectors.......................................................... 27
Midi In ............................................................................... 27
Midi Clock.......................................................................... 28
Midi out ............................................................................. 28
Midi CC ............................................................................. 29
Cheat sheet ..................................................................... 30
6equencer cong menu overview...................................32
1U Version ......................................................................... 32
3U Version ......................................................................... 32
Technical specications
Output trigger / gate voltage 5V
Clock and reset input voltage >= 3.5V
Midi TRS type A
Supply voltage +12V
Supply current 20-40mA
1U Intellijel / 24HP or 3U / 6HP
Printed aluminum panel, 2mm thickness
Depth (not including power connector) 20mm
Weight: 1U: 58g, 3U: 54g

Introduction
Tubbutec 6equencer (pronounced sequencer, sixquencer, or
whatever you prefer) is a TR-606 inspired step sequencer.
It is available in different Eurorack form factors (1U and 3U)
and despite being compact has many powerful features.
6equencer is optimized for live performance and allows
quick programming and editing of drum patterns.
Both analogue clock and triggers as well as midi input and
output are supported.
6equencer has eight instrument channels and is pattern
based. Each pattern can have up to 16 steps and 16 different
patterns can be programmed.
Multiple patterns can be chained to a ‘song’. Each song
consists of up to 32 patterns, a single pattern can occur
multiple times in a song.
Additionally, multiple 6equencer modules can be connected
to form patterns with more than 16 steps or used in parallel
to effectively get more instrument channels. Up to 4
6equencers can be connected for a maximum of 48 steps
per pattern or 32 instrument channels. The connection is
achieved via a ‘LINK’ connector on the back of the module.
Tubbutec 6equencer user manual – page 6

Many features exist to ease pattern programming and live
performance:
Multiple play directions can be selected including a musically
usable random mode.
The user can mute and un-mute instruments with the press
of a button.
The Low Tom and High Tom instruments can be used to
control the probability of other instruments playing.
Steps can be recorded by tapping or via midi input.
Similarly, steps can be cleared while playing.
You can record a new song while another is playing and start
the new song in sync. This allows very exible and intuitive
live performances.
Patterns can also be copied and pasted, allowing the quick
programming of variations.
Patterns and songs can be saved and will be available the
next time you power on the module.
More features are accessible via a cong menu. You can
dene midi channels, pulse lengths, clock mode and more.
This manual contains a detailed description of all features,
followed by a short ‘cheat sheet’.
Tubbutec 6equencer user manual – page 7

6equencer user interface
The 6equencer user interface features 16 buttons with LEDs
and a FUNC button. Each LED can be red, blue or purple.
Typically a blue LED will indicate a mode or setting, while a
red LED will indicate an active step or parameter. When
both, red and blue LEDs are turned on, the resulting color
will be purple. This means both are set (e.g. a step is set and
a parameter is selected).
So when this manual speaks of a red or blue led, it may look
purple depending on which function is selected.
In pattern view, each of the 16 buttons is a specic step, in
song view each is a specic pattern.
By pressing and holding the FUNC button, the other 16
buttons can be used to change modes and settings.
Throughout this document, we will refer to this method as
FUNC + button
Other functions are accessible by pressing FUNC and while
holding it, long-pressing another button (for about a
second).
Throughout this document, we will refer to this method as
FUNC + button (long-press)
Tubbutec 6equencer user manual – page 8

Inputs, outputs and clock
6equencer has 8 instrument outputs, a clock and midi input
and a reset (RES) or run-stop (RS) input or midi output.
The instrument outputs gates or trigger with specic lengths
depending on the settings in the cong menu (see Cong
Menu). They are labelled:
ACcent, BaseDrum, SnareDrum, LowTom
HighTom, CYmbal, OpenHihat and ClosedHihat
They can of course also be used to trigger any instrument or
event (like envelopes, an arpeggiator, or other sequencers).
The ACcent track behaves differently from the rest when
using midi input and output (see Midi). It can also be used to
alter the pulse lengths of other instruments.
6equencer can be clocked using an analogue clock or
trigger or alternatively using a midi clock. The clock source
and midi clock divider can be adjusted in the cong menu.
It is also possible to trigger the instruments via midi directly.
The sequencer can reset on the rising edge of a signal in
RESET mode. Alternatively it can be used in RUN-STOP
mode where the sequencer will only play as long as the
signal at the input is high. This socket also doubles as midi
out and can output instrument data to trigger a midi drum
machine.
Tubbutec 6equencer user manual – page 9

Pattern view
After power on, 6equencer defaults to pattern view. This is
indicated by the PAT led lit up in blue. Pattern view can be
used to program patterns and most live performance tools
are also available here.
Active steps are shown by the red being on.
For inactive steps the red led is off.
When the sequencer is running, the current position is
indicated by a short blink in red if the step is off, or
alternatively if a step is on, the red led briey turns off.
Selecting the active instrument
The currently active instrument is indicated by a blue led.
To change the instrument press FUNC and the instrument
button. Alternatively you can long-press an instrument to
make it active. Once an instrument is selected, the active
steps for that instrument are displayed in red.
Programming a pattern
To set or delete a step, just press the corresponding step.
When a step is activated, the red led lights up.
Tubbutec 6equencer user manual – page 10