The E-mu drum machine pictured spits out 24 ppq (pulses-per-quarter note) for syncing with other devices that speak that language. I wanted to see whether I could make use of those pulses in other ways... 24 ppq is a real barrage, let me tell you -- that's 96th notes, for the rhythmically inclined among you.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMMHr20Zh8JNxW9vuvKjk3LKoHogH7IFlfSh-7rpRg9IUpqB_P6o-I2EM-SiCfeUkYpMnitKUamcMOJjuC9pQ1GLjfy_WnlJbcU7oFsTPztneWVO19ynQL74OAOuk1nv3bMQhx3-s82db/s320/1+copy.jpg)
So I ran the pulse output to a 3-stage sequential switch, and took just one of the three stages for my output. 24 neatly divides by 3 to yield a more useful 8 ppq (32nd notes) which I then ran to an 8-stage trigger sequencer, allowing for further subdivisions.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbw1DF9gOKlrzQ8GCThNDDtM-QnW6O_RPL5EbBGNXOf4vB5sWRbiP6n9r4fYgcpYhWNwf_Pw0WhKGW8nDkWJuRvVhBElazhpEby1W5Fh_LHMmePrE68Tp8H0Y4mpAV3FHRil0nicAAzYwA/s320/2+copy.jpg)
The trigger sequencer has four separate rows, with each row sporting a toggle switch per stage, or step. By specifically setting the switches for each row, I now had at my disposal four useful subdivisions: 32nd notes, 16th notes (which I used for one aspect of the melody), 8th notes, and quarter notes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTm6rBh7HRWLhX3i-yZOh3VGiFnd8NIle9wXY8RDn-xrJ7n6ATKXnTwaF-17xutLwrBjrKlXKyc_K3GoU8AXzGMPzMaZaCNj-WWTOu-nlpaeSuxMw4hD6WML3IduGeZqCFBi5GVAZ41Ho/s320/3+copy.jpg)
Using other sequencers in my arsenal, I was able to achieve further subdivisions, including half-notes, whole notes (which I used for another aspect of the melody), 1 pulse every four bars (which I used for my bassline), and even 1 pulse every eight bars.
Really geeky, and really fun to figure out!