Model 700 Programmer – Operations Manual
© Sequential Circuits Inc. 1979 PDF Version by the Emulator Archive 2002 Page 3
There are many different signals that can be used to increment the program to
generate interesting effects. A keyboard gate can be used, which would change
the program on each new key hit. Sequencers (such as the Sequential Circuits
Co. Model 800) can be used to advance the program at the end of a sequence
(the Model 800 requires the use of a special cable, # 830, to connect to the
programmer). The gate output of a sequencer could also be used to cause more
changes. An LFO could be connected to the PROGRAM INCREMENT, which
would cause the programmer to act as a 3 x 8 sequence with envelopes (try it
some time).
1.2 Mode Selection
The current mode of the programmer is selected by the RECORD
/
VARIABLE /
PLAYBACK
switch. When in VARIABLE, the front panel controls on the
programmer are active. When in PLAYBACK, the front panel controls are
ignored, and the programmer is controlled from memory. RECORD is a
momentary position used to store the current panel settings into the currently
selected MEMORY BANK and PROGRAM SELECT memory position. The
RECORD position was designed to be hard to push to avoid accidental erasing
of programs. Remember that whenever the RECORD switch is pushed, the
current program will be erased and re-programmed with the current front panel
settings. Be careful not to destroy the wrong program.
The memory in the programmer is non-volatile, meaning that it retains its
information even when power is removed. This means that once a program is
stored, it will always be there, no matter what happens to the programmer. There
are three penlight batteries that keep the memory active when AC power is
removed. The life of these batteries is equal to the shelf life, meaning that they
should last a year or two. We recommend that you replace them yearly, rather
than waiting for the memory to start failing. To replace the batteries, remove the
four screws holding the back plate on the programmer. The three batteries are in
plain view in a battery holder. Replace the three batteries with alkaline batteries
for better performance, and tape them down in the same manner to avoid loose
batteries. They can be replaced with the AC power connected and turned on to
avoid losing the current content of the memory. If you do this, be extremely
careful of the AC power present above the battery holder by the transformer,
power switch, and fuse holder.
1.3 Envelopes
The two envelope generators in the Model 700 Programmer have more functions
than most synthesizers offer, which expands the capability of your synthesizer.
Each envelope consists of five controls: DELAY, ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN,
AND RELEASE. The envelopes are initiated by the particular gate, gate-trigger,
or switch trigger system being used. The following page shows graphically the
