SHIFT CORE GENERATOR

Shift Register Core Quasiquencer

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SHIFT CORE GENERATOR is an ultimate quasiquencing (quasi-sequencing) device capable of producing a wide array of stepped control voltages and gate signals. Its capabilities go from the globally loved 16-step looping pattern, to complex patterning, semirandom wandering, and all the way up to complete random madness.

The module has a 16-bit shift register inside. Its inputs update its contents, and its 16 outputs are processed by the content processors to form the three output groups.

Its control interface are the two input sections: clock input and data input. Any signal from inside the Eurorack system can be used as a clock or data source, as both sections have comparators with manualy tunable and voltage-controllable threshold, making it possible to extract a binary pulse out of any signal - be it a logic signal, a modulation cv, sound, or anything else. The clock input section's comparison result is available at the OUT jack to the left of the LED. Each time the clock transitions from 0 to 1 (the LED lights up), the register contents get shifted by one bit, and a copy of data (indicated 0 or 1 by the LED) is written to the now-empty first bit. The module has an on-board noise generator. Its output is available on the data input section, at the jack labelled NOI. A switch to the right of it defines if NOIse or the last bit of the register itSELF is normalled to the IN jack (get used if no cable is plugged into it). This makes for an instant source of randomness (NOI), or a looping 16-step pattern based on the existing shift register contents (SELF). External cyclic signals (e.g. LFOs) are a great data source: complex quasi-sequenced patterns emerge, controlled by the kind of the data source AND the data threshold.

The outputs are divided into three groups. The N-state outputs can only take a predefined number of states, noted above each output jack - from 4 to 128. Top row (4- and 8-state) outputs have their states spaced apart in equal quantised steps: 1v for 4-state and ~0.417v for 8-state, meaning they produce movements in octaves and fifths respectively, when connected to a VCO tracking 1v/o, or such. The lower row outputs (16 to 128) are less precise, but they take a way bigger number of states, making them a perfect source for stepped modulation of non-tonal parameters, e.g. filter cutoff, distortion amount, LFO speed, and so on. The binary outputs are four gate (logic) signals produced by complex processing of shift register contents. They are perfect for triggering drums and function generators, gating envelopes, clocking other sequencers, and otherwise timing musical events. Finally, the stepped CV programmer is an SCG-style approach to more traditional sequencing. Like with the binary outputs, 4 new signals are derived from the register contents. They are then summed up in proportions set by the four yellow knobs, labelled alpha/beta/gamma/delta. The LED next to each knob
shows if the knob is currently active. If it is, an offset is added to the mix in proportion set by the knob. The mix is output at the OUT jack. The UPD jack can be used to update the used binary signals asynchronously from the rest of the module. By default, the clock OUT of the clock input section is normalled into it, so the behaviour is synchronous. This output is perfect to dial in custom sets of states, especially to control tonal devices, such as VCOs.

SHIFT CORE GENERATOR is an instant source of 4 logic signals and 7 stepped CV signals, one user-tunable. Jumping easily between noise-based randomness, 16-step looping order and custom data based quasiquenced phrases, and not having a limit on input signal type (sounds included!), this module makes a perfect heart of any patch, from spacey krell-ambient to orderly 4-on-the-floor-techno, to insane noise walls.

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