Clocking

What Is a Clock?

A clock in modular synthesis is a steady pulse – a signal that goes high and low at a regular rate. It’s used to sync sequencers, trigger envelopes, step random sources, and keep your whole patch ticking together.

Core Concepts

  • Master Clock: The central pulse everything follows. Could be a tempo module, DAW sync, or a sequencer with clock out.
  • Clock Division: Slows the clock down into slower steps (e.g. half-time, quarter notes).
  • Clock Multiplication: Speeds it up (double time, triplets, ratchets).
  • Trigger vs Gate: Triggers are short pulses; gates are longer and can stay high.

Use It For:

  • Advancing sequencers
  • Triggering envelopes or S&H
  • Syncing multiple mod sources
  • Creating rhythm and structure in generative patches

Clocks drive sync. Your modular groove starts here.

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