The design goal when making the 4 Knob was to generate lots of output from a very minimal amount of input and control. The initial prototype only consisted of a clock input and the 4 knobs as input/control but was able to output two voiced 32 step sequences. More controls were added to either filter this output or help it work in sequence with other parts of a modular system.
The way the sequencer works is that it reads the positions of the four knobs and converts these positions into numbers. It then uses these numbers to determine the number of steps in a sequence (2 to 32 is step range) and what each of the four outputs of the sequence should be doing on each of those steps. Each step has a specific set of instructions, like “Add knob 1 to knob 3 and use that number for the output of Voltage 1. Then check if the third bit of knob 4 is on, if so turn on Gate 2.” This means that the sequences are not random, though the changes are difficult to predict
The board features PC mounted pots for less wiring, and mounting holes for flexibility in panel layout. There are Eurorack and MOTM power connecters. It's compatible with 12V or 15V synth systems without any parts substitutions
For complete descriptions of the way the module is used, and how to build it, including schematics and parts list; download this PDF file.
Boards are available now. Price for 1 PCB and PIC set is $18.
Unfinished eurorack
panels are available for this project, they are 10HP and cost $8 each.
There is
more information here about panels. If you're interested in drilling your own panel for
this project, feel free to use my
drill guide. That image should be printed at 300dpi for proper
scaling.
