Mimetic Digitalis#

XY step sequencer optimized for live use

Overview#

Mimetic Digitalis is a 10HP step sequencer optimized for live use. Mimetic Digitalis includes four individually editable CV outputs and a trigger out. Each step can be manually programmed or use Mimetic Digitalis to live record CV sequences using the encoder. The zero button mutes the CV at a step and shred randomizes the voltage. Save and load up to 16 patterns. Edit a pattern and use undo to return to the unedited version.

• Type: XY CV sequencer
• Size: 10HP Eurorack
• Depth: .8 inch
• Power: 2x5 Eurorack
• +12 V: 58 mA
• -12 V: 22 mA

Etymology#

Mimetic -- from Latin: "pertaining to mimes"

Digitalis -- from Latin: "belonging to a finger"

"Finger mime of death"

Input & output voltages#

Mimetic Digitalis will trigger on the rising edge of a signal above about 2.2 V and responds to CVs from 0 V to 5 V. It outputs triggers at about 6 V and CV signals from 0 V to 5 V.

Power#

To power your Noise Engineering module, turn off your case. Plug one end of your ribbon cable into your power board so that the red stripe on the ribbon cable is aligned to the side that says -12 V and each pin on the power header is plugged into the connector on the ribbon. Make sure no pins are overhanging the connector! If they are, unplug it and realign.

Line up the red stripe on the ribbon cable so that it matches the white stripe and/or -12 V indication on the board and plug in the connector.

Screw your module into your case before powering on the module. You risk bumping the module's PCB against something metallic and damaging it if it's not properly secured when powered on.

You should be good to go if you followed these instructions. Now go make some noise!

A final note. Some modules have other headers -- they may have a different number of pins or may say "not power". In general, unless a manual tells you otherwise, do not connect those to power.

Interface#

Step display

the 4x4 grid shows the step position.

Outputs

T: Outputs a trigger each time Mimetic Digitalis advances a step.

1-4: Four selectable, individually editable CV outputs.

Trigger inputs

Mimetic Digitalis has a variety of trigger inputs to allow control over the Cartesian coordinates of the steps. Use as many inputs as you like or simply use the manual trigger buttons below.

N: Advances to the next step in the full 16-step progression.

X: Advances to the next step in the current row, but will only move horizontally.

Y: Advances to the next step in the current column, but will only move vertically.

R: Advances to a random step

O: Advances to the origin (step 1)

CV In

Three inputs allow CV control over step position. CV N will vary across the entire 16-step range. CV X will only vary within a given row, while CV Y will control across a column.

Stop/Run

In Stop mode, Mimetic Digitalis will pause on a step so that each step can be tuned to the desired tone or value. Use the encoder (Edit) to set the value. Use the Step Selectors (see below) to advance steps to continue programming. Mimetic Digitalis will continue to track the clock input; when Run mode is resumed, it will continue in the appropriate place.

In Run mode, Mimetic Digitalis advances a step each time it receives a trigger. It live records edits made to values while in Run mode.

Edit

An encoder to set CV values for the selected channel(s). The default is fine. Push and turn for coarse values. The encoder is detented to assist with tuning. For live editing, simple select the channel(s) you want to edit, and push and turn. All changes are recorded on the fly. Outputs are not quantized.

Channel Selectors 1-4

Toggle buttons to select or deselect the channel to be edited. Double tapping a button will deselect all other channels (channel solo). If no channel is selected, turning the Edit encoder will not affect any outputs.

Undo

Reverts all changes made with the encoder to the last pattern that was loaded (this is the same as loading the most recently loaded pattern).

Step Selectors (Next, X, Y, Rand, Origin)

Manual buttons to advance Mimetic Digitalis in specific directions. Buttons work in both Run and Stop mode. If no trigger input is used, use buttons to advance steps manually.

Load / Save

Mimetic Digitalis can store up to 16 sets of CVs (all 4 outputs are stored together). The 16 save slots correspond to the steps on the Step Display. To load or save, hold the button down and use the encoder to dial to the slot you want to load from or save to. Tap the encoder to select which slot and save. After power cycle, Mimetic Digitalis will load the last saved state.

Zero

Zeros the value for the current step. Hold down to zero multiple steps.

Shred

Press to assign a random value to a step. Hold down to shred multiple steps.

Combo moves#

We've also added a few quick, stealthy combo moves for things we think you'll use a lot. Things we use a lot:

Load + Shred

Instantly shred of all 16 steps

Load + Zero

Instantly zero of all 16 steps

Zero + Shred

Pitch Shred. Shred current step but restrict the voltages to one octave.

Load + Zero + Shred

Pitch shred entire pattern.

In addition, the first 8 patterns can be quick saved/loaded through combo moves. These are mapped to the buttons on Mimetic Digitalis:

Save/Load + 1

fast save/load pattern 1

Save/Load + 2

fast save/load pattern 2

Save/Load + 3

fast save/load pattern 3

Save/Load + 4

fast save/load pattern 4

Save/Load + Next

save/load pattern 5

Save/Load + X

fast save/load pattern 6

Save/Load + Y

fast save/load pattern 7

Save/Load + Rand

fast save/load pattern 8

Finally, there's a combo move for sliding sequences:

Sliding sequence

If you want to line a certain sequence up to start at a different point, activate the channel(s) you want to shift, press and hold the Origin button, and turn the encoder to move the steps around.

Patch tutorial#

First patch

Patch a trigger source to the N input. Patch any number of CV outputs to CV inputs of an oscillator. If it is a triggered oscillator, patch the T out to the trigger input of the oscillator. Switch Mimetic Digitalis to Run and use the Channel Selector buttons to select the output(s) you are using and Edit them with the encoder.

Advanced patch

Patch at least one trigger source into the trigger inputs. Patch outputs to CV inputs on an oscillator. Add LFOs to the CV inputs. Edit channels and have fun.

Design notes#

Mimetic Digitalis started life as a completely different module, as so many ideas do. Although MD was always intended to be a small CV sequencer, the look, feel, and functionality could not have changed more. We like to think that it got better with each round. The first version included four CV outputs, but had minimal control over how you could engage with them, and the controls we did try were less compelling. Within a few revisions and with some input from friends, we came up with the basic idea for the current version, but all the jacks were on the bottom. We were close to going into production, but the more we played with it in our own cases, the more we were convinced that we wanted the jacks on the top so we could pull the cables up and out of the way as we route them; that way we're not working over cables while we program the Mimetic Digitalis. Cue another hardware revision! Once we had that, we knew we finally had the product we wanted.

Warranty#

We will repair or replace (at our discretion) any product that we manufactured as long as we are in business and are able to get the parts to do so. We aim to support modules that have been discontinued for as long as possible. This warranty does not apply to normal wear and tear, including art/panel wear, or any products that have been modified, abused, or misused. Our warranty is limited to manufacturing defects.

Warranty repairs/replacements are free. Repairs due to user modification or other damage are charged at an affordable rate. Customers are responsible for the cost of shipping to Noise Engineering for repair.

All returns must be coordinated through Noise Engineering; returns without a Return Authorization will be refused and returned to sender.

Please contact us if you think one of your modules needs a repair.

Special thanks#

• Shawn Jimmerson
• Patrick O'Brien
• Matt Lange
• Derrick Baseck
• Skyler "Kittyspit" King