Megacity
DISCONTINUED!!
Standalone 64 step analogue step sequencer with a host of unique features that sets it apart from others
Key Megacity Features
True analogue step sequencers using CV pot’s not encoders.
Analogue CV circuits.
Hand built in Great Britain.
Massive 64 steps (series mode) or 2 x 32 steps (2 channel parallel mode)
2 CV outputs with Range and Glide (Portamento)
4 Gate outs (2 per channel)
2 CV quantisers
MIDI Out
Jump and Reset – activate from MIDI note, Push Button and external Gate
Fill In and clock divide modes for variation
Compatible with Eurorack and most analogue synths with CV/Gate input
Voltage controlled clock
Many options for sequence control
Very easy MIDI sync possible using a dedicated MIDI note
Solid steel and aluminium construction
High quality sealed potentiometers, sturdy switches.
Unique green LED matrix style tear drop raining LEDs
The manual is available for download off this website, as well as a blank patch sheet, and are well worth a look if you want to know more about its capabilities.
Introduction
Megacity is a VLF 64 step true analogue sequencer.
The steps can be played in series from step 1 to 64 – series mode, or, 2 channels of 32 steps, parallel mode.
The sequencer can also be split into two halves, L and R, and these halves can then be played in parallel. This then provides two channels of CV and Gate, each with their own Glide, Range, Quantise, CV and Gate controls/sockets.
When in parallel mode, channel R (steps 33 to 64) can be set to play at half or a quarter of the speed of channel L.
There is a Fill-in mode, which allows channel R to act as a fill in pattern to provide bar to bar variation, typically lost with analogue sequencers, outside of basic transposition. When manually triggered via push button, or via MIDI note 03, or via an external voltage channel R will play instead of channel L.
The sequencer can be clocked by an internal VC analogue clock (VCLFO) or via an external voltage (eg. External LFO). The clock speed can be changed using a control voltage.
Megacity can easily be integrated with a MIDI sequencer or DAW. It can be synchronised via a sequence of MIDI notes 00.
Megacity features 64 CV controls, 64 Gate channel select switches and 64 Reset/Jump switches.
Built in quantiser – this can be used to quantise the CV notes into semitones.
MIDI out – Megacity will send MIDI notes to your MIDI synth.
Why Do I need this sequencer? What’s So Special?
Megacity is formatted differently and operates differently than other step sequencer.
Traditionally step sequencers run horizontally from left to right then loop back to step one. You can make the pattern shorter, but generally that’s it.
Megacity patterns run vertically downwards in columns. As the end of each column is played, the next to the right is played.
Megacity has a unique Jump system. When a Jump switch is on, the rest of the column’s steps are bypassed and the sequencer jumps straight to the start of the next column
These two features in particular as familiar enough ways of working to be intuitive, but different enough to force you to work and think in a slightly different way. The end result is you will get sequences and patterns that you might not have created otherwise.
More Variation
Many step sequencers can start to sound repetitive since it’s usually the same single pattern looping endlessly.
Megacity allows you to split the sequencer in half and use the right half as a Fill-In pattern to add variation, much like vintage drum machines.
These Fills are activated via a MIDI note, Push Button, or via a trigger pulse from an external modular.
Megacity’s format and Jump switches, combined with excellent features like Fill-In, Quantisers, Split sequencers and other features makes Megacity a great sequencer package.
Main Features
True analogue step sequencers using CV pot’s not encoders
Analogue CV circuits
Massive 64 steps (series mode) or 2 x 32 steps (2 channel parallel mode)
2 CV outputs with Range and Glide (Portamento)
4 Gate outs (2 per channel)
2 CV quantisers
MIDI Out
Jump and Reset – activate from MIDI note, Push Button and external Gate
Fill In and clock divide modes for variation
Compatible with Eurorack and most analogue synths with CV/Gate input
Voltage controlled clock
Many options for sequence control
Very easy MIDI sync possible using a dedicated MIDI note
Solid steel and aluminium construction
High quality sealed potentiometers, sturdy switches.
Unique green LED matrix style tear drop raining LEDs
Use
If you are familiar with analogue sequencers in general, then most features of Megacity should be fairly self-explanatory, but it would still be worth having a read through this manual.
The sequencer is laid out in vertical columns, eight in total.
The sequencer runs from top to bottom, and left to right.
The Difference Between Reset and Jump
If a Reset is initiated the sequencer returns to step one, the first step of the sequencer.
Use Reset to shorten the sequence.
If a Jump is initiated the sequencer will advance (jump) to step one of the next column to the right.