The RYK M-185 sequencer is a multi-stage CV controller in the design of the vintage Roland System 100 modules. The speciality of this module are the stage selectable gate modes. The length of each stage can be selected from 1 to 8 clock pulses. Each stage can have 1 of 4 different gate modes.

STAGE GATE MODE CONTROL These switches determine the Gate Out activity for each stage inthe sequence. Position 0 [Gate Mode 0] [Gate oft]: The gate outputwill not activate. Position I [Gate Mode 1] [Single gate]: The gate output will go high on the first clock pulse of the stage, and remain low for any remaining clock pulses on the stage. Position II [Gate Mode 2] [Multiple gate]: The gate output will go high on every clock pulse for the stage, except where the Step Subdivision is set to a value larger than 1. [See Step Subdivision Control]Position I- [Gate Mode 3] [Gate hold/long]: The gate output will go high on the first clock pulse of the stage, and remain high until just before the end of the stage. STAGE COUNT CONTROL These switches determine the repeat count for each stage. It is adjustable from 1 to 8 clock pulses per stage. [NB The Step Subdivision has no effect on this control]

The M-185 has 8 control pots which control the voltage output for each stage in the sequence. Thevoltage range can be selected between 3 and 5 volt. On the right of each pot are LED stage indicators. They show the current stage in the sequence. Bright flash indicates Gate Output high. The LEDs are also used to display extended mode functions.

While the RYK M-185 is a small sequencer with only 8 stages, its unique stage control modes allowto create impressive patterns.

Each stage is equipped with a 4 step slider switch for the gate mode and an uncommon 8 step slider for the length. The 8 step Stage Count Control determines the length of each stage from 1 to 8 clock pulses. With the Stage Gate Mode above, you select how the stage should be performed:

Position 1 ( 0 ) is kind of a mute mode. The stage time will be considered, but the gate output will not activate.

Position 2 ( I ) is the single gate mode. We get just a single trigger for this stage Technical, the gate output will go high on the first clock pulse of the stage, and remain low for any remaining clock pulses on thestage.

Position 3 ( II )is the repeat gate mode. You will have the most fun in this position. The sequencer will trigger the same note N times, the count of repeats is determined by the Stage Count Control. You can mute some of the steps by adjusting the Step Subdivision control. In this mode the gate output will go high on every clock pulse for this stage, except where the Step Subdivision is set to a value larger than 1.

Position 4, labeled ( I- ) is the legato mode which ties all steps. Instead of a repeating pattern this will result in a change of note length. The gate output will go high on the first clockpulse of the stage, and remain high until just before the end of the stage.