Reader Frank Baldé shared this demo of his DIY Arduino-based step sequencer, controlling a Moog Werkstatt synthesizer.

Here’s what he told us about the technical details:

Equipment: Moog Werkstatt-01, Korg MS-50, Korg Volca Sample and Korg SQ-1, controlled by a custom Arduino-based 2 track CV/Gate step sequencer.

Only 1 track is used in this jam, the bassline is driven by the Korg sq-1, which is synced to the Arduino sequencer (as well as the volca sample for the bass drum).

Each step in my sequencer has programmable pitch, note duration, note density and pitch variation. Note density is the percentage of time defining if the step should play the note or play a ‘rest’. Hundred percent means it always plays, zero percent means always a rest.

Pitch variation is the percentage of time the original note should be replaced with a variation (up to two notes lower or higher, all within the selected tonal mode). Here 100% means always variation, zero means always the programmed pitch.

Tempo is adjustable between 10 and 250 bpm, sync out for the korg volca serries, Pitches are either chromatic or according to any of the 7 tonal modes (Ionian, Dorian, etc.)

This prototype needs to be built onto a real pcb and with a proper case and front panel. I am working on that!

The code is written in C, the Arduino that’s used is the Mega.