CV Input Signal Types #17 — Sequence CV (Stepped)

Description

Sequence CV is a stepped signal from a step sequencer. Each step has a defined voltage value that remains constant for the duration of that step. Transitions between steps are hard jumps (or smoothed via glide/portamento — but by the sequencer, not the receiving module).

Electrically identical to generic CV. The difference lies in firmware treatment: step transitions must be preserved.

Use Cases

• Melody sequences (stepped V/Oct → oscillator)
• Parameter sequences (filter cutoff, effect parameter per step)
• Rhythmic parameter variation

Eurorack Examples

• Sequencer outputs (Doepfer A-155, Malekko Voltage Block, Intellijel Metropolix)
• Mutable Instruments Marbles: Generates stepped random sequences

Hardware Implementation

Identical to generic bipolar CV (bipolar) or envelope CV (unipolar).

Firmware Requirements

• NO linear smoothing: Preserve step transitions exactly. Median filter (3 samples) as with random/S&H CV is permitted.
• Caution with hysteresis: With continuous but stepped CV (like V/Oct melodies), raw hysteresis leads to intonation errors — notes "lag behind" depending on direction (rising/falling). Hysteresis may only be applied if the signal is internally quantized to musical scales anyway (quantizer block). For pure pitch tracking, use median filter instead.
• Optional: If the receiving module implements glide/portamento itself, the stepped CV is deliberately smoothed (but as a parameter, not as filtering)