DELPTRONICS Trigger Man Trigger/Gate Sequencer Eurorack Module User Manual for Firmware Version 2 The most recent version of this manual can be found at http://delptronics.com/triggerman.php.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 2 of 20 Introduction The Delptronics Trigger Man is a unique trigger/gate sequencer. There are 8 outputs and each sequence consists of up to 8 steps per output. It has 8 pattern memories, which can be played back in any order and chained into a song of patterns up to 100 patterns long. The revolutionary interface enables you to create and edit any pattern with just two knobs.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 3 of 20 Terminology Sequences and Patterns The terms sequence and pattern are used very specifically in this manual, so it is important to understand the distinction. A sequence is a set of up to 8 steps. Each output jack has its own sequence of up to 8 steps. A pattern is a set of 8 sequences. Think of it as an 8 by 8 grid, with steps in the X axis and the outputs in the Y axis – just like the Step and Output LEDs on the panel.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 4 of 20 Controls Knob 1 and Knob 2 The two knobs perform various functions depending on what mode the module is in. They do not have an indicator line on them because they are not positional. They rotate infinitely in both directions and do not stop like a potentiometer does. They are called rotary encoders. Think of them as rotary switches that are turned clockwise or counter (anti) clockwise to change the value of a parameter. The knobs are also pushbutton switches.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 5 of 20 Quick Reference To cram a zillion functions into 8 HP, some of the controls and LEDs perform different functions or have different meanings depending on the mode of operation. The control scheme is quite intuitive and easy to master. The chart below summarizes the functions of the controls and LEDs for each mode, along with a summary of the configuration options.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 6 of 20 Algorithmic Mode In Algorithmic Mode, the Step LEDs at the top of the module show the sequence of on and off steps for one output jack at a time. An illuminated LED corresponds to +12 volts on the output jack for that step. An off LED represents a rest where the output jack is zero volts (grounded). One of the Output LEDs on the right side of the module is illuminated to indicate which output sequence is currently being edited.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 7 of 20 ∞ Pattern Play Mode In Pattern Play mode you can select which pattern is currently playing, or create a chain of patterns. A chain is a sequence of patterns. Chains can be as complex as you want, and up to 100 patterns long. For example, if the chain consisted of patterns 1 and 2, then those two patterns would play, one after another repeatedly. Patterns can also appear more than once or be repeated in the chain.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 8 of 20 Copy Mode Any pattern can be copied to any other pattern. Copy mode is available from Algorithmic, Step Edit, or Pattern Play mode, but not when the module is in Configuration or Action mode. To access Copy mode, press both knobs at the same time, then release both knobs. The knobs do not have to be pressed exactly simultaneously. You can press and hold Knob 1 then press Knob 2, or press and hold Knob 2 then press Knob 1.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 9 of 20 Action Mode Hold the Mode Button down while pressing or turning Knob 1 or Knob 2 to perform special actions. Action Mode is available from Algorithmic, Step Edit, or Pattern Play mode, but not when the module is in Configuration or Copy mode. Set Sequence Length Hold Mode & Turn Knob 1 to set the length of the sequence for the current output. Any length from one to eight steps can be selected. The Sequence LEDs indicate the current sequence length.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 10 of 20 Configuration Mode Configuration mode is used to set various options for the eight Output jacks and the Clock and Control input jacks. The Step LEDs display the state of the configurable options. Entering Configuration Mode Enter Configuration mode by holding down the Mode button, then pressing the Start/Stop button, then releasing both buttons. The mode indicator LED will blink, indicating that the module is in Configuration mode.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 11 of 20 Output Jack Configuration Options Each of the eight outputs has its own separate set of configuration options. Just like sequence length, all of the options described below affect the output in all patterns. For example, if the output length is set to 10ms, then it is 10ms in every pattern. Output Length LEDs 1 and 2 set the length, or pulse width, of the output trigger/gate. Output length is the length of time that the output jack is on.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 12 of 20 Modifier LEDs 5 and 6 determine how the complexity, shift, or sequence will be modified. 5 6 Randomize Low: When modifying the sequence, this option works just like the on-demand low randomization in Action Mode (hold Mode and press Knob 1 once). When modifying complexity or shift, the effect is like randomly turning the complexity or shift knob one click to the right or left. There is a 50% chance that the sequence will not change.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 13 of 20 More about Voltage Control The Control or Clock jacks are expecting control voltages to be 0 to 5 volts. The jacks are protected from over-voltages and negative voltages, but anything over 5 volts is considered 5 volts and any negative voltage is considered 0 volts. To interpret the incoming control voltage, the Trigger Man divides the 5V range into equal sized steps depending on the parameter being modified.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 14 of 20 Input Jack Configuration Options The input jack configuration options control the function of the Clock and Control jacks, and the LED blinking. The input options are independent of the options for the eight individual outputs. Clock Jack Function LEDs 1 and 2 determine the function of the Clock input jack. 1 2 Clock Ticks: The Clock jack expects a typical clock signal. Hysteresis occurs at 2.5 volts. That is, when the voltage on the jack rises above 2.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 15 of 20 Clock Jack VC Tempo Change LED 3 determines when the tempo changes if the tempo is voltage controlled. 3 On First Step: The tempo, as determined by the voltage on the Clock jack, changes on the first step. Voltage changes during the playing of the sequence do not change the tempo. Immediate: The tempo changes immediately in response to the voltage on the Clock jack.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 16 of 20 Control Jack VC Pattern Change LED 6 determines when the pattern changes if the Control jack is set to VC C/S/Pattern and the module is in Pattern Play mode. 6 On First Step: The currently playing pattern, as determined by the voltage on the Control jack, changes on the first step. Voltage changes during the playing of the sequence are ignored. Immediate: The currently playing pattern changes immediately in response to the voltage on the Control jack.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 17 of 20 Saving Data The Trigger Man has nonvolatile memory which saves the configuration and patterns even when powered off. Changes to the configuration are saved upon exiting Configuration mode. Changes to the sequence length are saved upon exiting Action mode. Changes to the sequences/patterns are saved any time the Start/Stop or Mode buttons are pressed, or when changing the pattern being edited.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 18 of 20 Mixing Sequence Lengths Each output can have a different sequence length. It bears repeating that an output’s sequence length is the same for all patterns. For example, if output 1 has a sequence length of 6 steps, then its length will be 6 steps for pattern 1, and 6 steps for pattern 2, and 3, and so on. If all of the outputs have the same sequence length, then they all move in sync with one another. Each output begins and ends at the same time.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 19 of 20 Playing a Chain of Patterns with Different Sequence Lengths When the Trigger Man plays a chain of patterns that contains outputs of different sequence lengths, the meta-patterns get longer. The chart below shows a 2-pattern chain with several sequence lengths. We have limited the number of sequence lengths in the chart for clarity. The cells in the chart contain the pattern number and the step number separated by a dot.
Trigger Man User ManualV2 20 of 20 Using the per-Output Clock Divider This is very powerful feature, and it can help to visualize it. The chart below shows outputs with sequence lengths of 8 and 6, with some of the outputs clock-divided. The meta-pattern still repeats every 24 beats. However, when the clock is divided, each output repeats a different number of times within the meta-pattern. For example, the first row covers 24 beats.
