Sequence CV (Stepped)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Category | Special |
| Voltage Range | -5V..+5V or 0..+5V |
| Polarity | Uni- or Bipolar |
| Bandwidth | Stepped |
Description
Sequence CV is a stepped signal from a step sequencer. Each step has a defined voltage value that remains constant for the duration of that step. Transitions between steps are hard jumps (or smoothed via glide/portamento — but by the sequencer, not the receiving module).
Electrically identical to generic CV. The difference lies in firmware treatment: step transitions must be preserved.
Use Cases
- Melody sequences (stepped V/Oct → oscillator)
- Parameter sequences (filter cutoff, effect parameter per step)
- Rhythmic parameter variation
Eurorack Examples
- Sequencer outputs (Doepfer A-155, Malekko Voltage Block, Intellijel Metropolix)
- Mutable Instruments Marbles: Generates stepped random sequences
Hardware Implementation
Identical to generic bipolar CV (bipolar) or envelope CV (unipolar).
Firmware Requirements
- NO linear smoothing: Preserve step transitions exactly. Median filter (3 samples) as with random/S&H CV is permitted.
- Caution with hysteresis: With continuous but stepped CV (like V/Oct melodies), raw hysteresis leads to intonation errors — notes "lag behind" depending on direction (rising/falling). Hysteresis may only be applied if the signal is internally quantized to musical scales anyway (quantizer block). For pure pitch tracking, use median filter instead.
- Optional: If the receiving module implements glide/portamento itself, the stepped CV is deliberately smoothed (but as a parameter, not as filtering)