Synthetic Sound Labs - Model 1520: Segwencer IV MU 5U Synthesizers.Com Format - Modular Synthesizer

The SSL Segwencer IV™ module is indeed in a class of its own. The name

derives from the audio term “segue” (fading from one sound to another),

and the synth term “sequence” (moving from one point / sound to

another), and once combined, there is a synergy that blasts these

concepts into a totally new way of morphing sounds, textures and even

control voltages.

Before we go any further, a bit of explanation is probably in order. If

you know a bit about pipe organ history, you know that a "crescendo"

pedal is not a simple volume control. Pipe organs can control volume by

opening and closing louvers in front of the pipes (called “swell”), but

can’t really control brightness / timbre. A crescendo can add the

perception of brightness and impact by adding more “ranks”. This is

typically done with a separate pedal that the artist moves forward to

bring in brighter and louder sounds. On a pipe organ, the mechanics of

this are fairly straight-forward but technically complex. As the artist

goes from soft to loud with the crescendo pedal, several “switches” are

sequentially engaged. Each successive switch causes a new pipe rank to

sound, therefore it becomes increasingly fuller with each stage of the

crescendo pedal.

So, what is the SSL Segwencer? In a typical Voltage Controlled studio

environment, a control voltage is fed to the “Depth” input which

(through an on-board attenuator) controls which of the four Segwencer

channels is active based on the input voltage. Each channel of the

Segwencer has a separate built in VCA (DC coupled!) input and output, as

well as a comvenient Mix output that can frequently save a mixer.

By this description, you might think that the Segwencer harshly

“switches” from channel to channel – which is not in itself a bad thing.

Here is where the Segwencer really shines.

The Segwencer has a “Width” panel control that literally softens the

progressive transitions between the channels. So YOU have complete

control over the transition of the “switch” point between the channels,

and the “softness” of how that channel switches. Really cool!

Obviously, using a voltage pedal could emulate the actions of a

crescendo pedal, but how about feeding the Depth input with an envelope

generator? What about an LFO, or even keyboard velocity voltages. And

since the VCAs are DC coupled, imagine possibilities of Segwencing

control voltages, or even CVs AND audio in the same segwence? The

combinations are staggering.

Imagine taking each basic waveform from a VCO into each input of the

Segwencer and having the Segwencer smoothly blend the waves? Or how

about a sine wave into channel “A” out to a audio mixer, an LFO into

channel “B” out to the VCOs CV input, and a wavefolded sine into channel

“C” out to the audio mixer? Result: Sine, to FM modulated sine, to

distorted sine.

The VCA inputs are conveniently normallized, so - How about a voltage

controlled quad panner with each output going to a separate speaker? Or

maybe three or four VCOs in a musical chord (or dischord if that floats

your boat), each into a separate Segwencer input, with the Segwencer

“Mix” output as audio? Result: Think about it.

You'll probably find youself using at least one Segwencer for just about every patch!

Controls

- Width

- Depth CV Amount

- Peaks / Slope selection switch

Inputs

- 4 DC Coupled Linear VCAs

- Depth CV

Outputs

- 4 DC Coupled Linear VCAs

- 1 DC Coupled Mix output

Indicators: 4 Channel Activity LEDs (Orange)

Power: +15V at..ma, -15V at..ma, Synthesizers.com 6 pin Molex standard.

Size

Width - One Moog Unit (MU), ~2 1/8"

Depth - ~1.75" behind panel