User:Johnfrake/960 Sequencer

The 960 Sequential Controller is an analog sequencer originally built by Bob Moog used to send control voltage to modules in a modular synthesizer.

History
In the 1970s Bob Moog released his Modular Systems analog synthesizer. These synthesizers were made up of several types of modules and connected with patch cords. Control voltage was used to control this synthesizer; everything from keyboard controllers to envelope generators used control voltage. However these limited systems had no way of programming control voltage changes until Bob Moog developed the 960 Sequential Controller.

The sequencer is a series of potentiometers controlled by an internal oscillator. The 960 has three rows of eight stages; each stage has an individual potentiometer to dial in a particular control voltage value. The internal oscillator changes from stage to stage at a controllable speed thus changing the output voltage based on the values on each stage.

Technical
The 960 is an 8 stage, 3 row sequencer with an internal oscillator. Each row can control any voltage-controlled module such as an oscillator, filter, etc. A 9th stage provides a place for the sequencer to stop. A lamp for each stage indicates when it's active.

The front panel is divided into 3 sections: Oscillator, Stages, and Output. Each stage has 3 knobs which determine the voltage at the 3 row outputs (A, B, C). The row outputs can be scaled using the 'X' switches (X1, X2, X4). A mode switch for each stage selects Skip, Normal, or Stop. A trigger (Gate) input signal will select a particular stage, as does the manual push button. A trigger (Gate) output signal is available when a stage is active.

The oscillator has 6 ranges and a variable control. A lamp indicates when the oscillator is on. Both manual and Triggers (Gates) can control the oscillator's on/off condition. Voltage control of the oscillator frequency is also available with an accurate temperature compensated 1V/Octave response. An external shift input and manual button provide additional control of stage activation.

Recreation
In the 1980s production for Moog modular synthesizers ceased as it was replaced by the smaller, more inexpensive Minimoog. However modular synthesis remained incredibly popular among synthesists and thus Roger Arrick of Synthesizers.com created a recreation of the legendary 960 called the Q960. This version utilized modern components while retaining the original functionality. The Q960 is presently being produced by Synthesizers.com along with recreations of Moogs' 961, 962, and their own Q963.