4ms Rotating Clock Divider User Manual PDF (via 4ms company)
The 4ms Rotating Clock Divider is a highly flexible module that can serve as the rhythmic heart of a Eurorack system. Its unique clock division, rotation, reset, and spread features open it up to a huge range of creative clocking techniques, sequencing manipulation, and generative rhythms. Here are some patch ideas and module combinations to get the most out of the RCD:
Patch Concept: Use the multiple divided outputs to create complex rhythms.
How:
Patch different RCD outputs (/3, /5, /6, etc.) directly into drum module trigger ins. This generates overlapping, evolving polyrhythms out of a single master clock. Fiddle with the "Rotate" CV (perhaps with an LFO, random generator, or sequencer) to shift all rhythms in real time! Patch one divided output to a sequencer’s clock in and another to a kick, for shifting groove relationships.
Patch Concept: Add controlled randomness for generative music.
How:
Use one or more RCD outputs to drive probabilities in a module like Branches (e.g., /7 or /8), so events only fire on certain steps. Rotate CV input can be sequenced or randomly modulated for evolving rhythmic probabilities. You can even reset the RCD with another divided output for generative rhythm cycles.
Patch Concept: Trigger multiple envelopes or LFO syncs for coordinated modulation.
How:
Send RCD outs to envelope/LFO trigger ins. The diverse clock divisions create movement in filter cutoff, pitch, or amplitude that’s still musically tied to the master clock. Rotating or resetting brings instant variation while staying tight to the tempo.
Patch Concept: Clock several sequences with shifting offsets.
How:
Drive multiple external sequencers or delay/sync inputs with different divisions. Rotate CV shifts all sequences’ placement instantly, causing abrupt rhythmic remixes.
Patch Concept: Insert the RCD before a drum sequencer for glitchy, chopped, or evolving beats.
How:
Drive the sequencer’s clock with a nonstandard divided output, rotating for groove variation, or reset from a longer clock to induce bucked, swung, or chopped feel in the beats.
Patch Concept: Create spaced, musical divisions via Spread mode.
How:
Turn on Spread mode and clock drums or accent triggers with musically useful divisions (e.g., /4, /8, /12, /16). Rotate to explore tightly grouped or widely spaced steps. Perfect for minimal techno and IDM grooves.
Patch Concept: Use high-frequency clock input and abuse RCD as a subharmonic generator.
How:
Feed a square wave VCO to the RCD's clock input. The outputs provide stepped-down subharmonic square waves (octaves and divisions of the original frequency). Can be used as audio-rate clocking for Karplus-Strong, pseudo-chord creation, or gritty drone textures.
Patch Concept: Keep a patch in sync with regular global resets.
How:
Patch a divided RCD output (like /16 or /32) to the reset inputs of sequencers or clocked effect modules so all sync to the same “downbeat” or phase point as the global clock. Use CV Reset input for more controlled, performative global resetting.