Sync with other gear

To synchronize the PolyPulse with external gear it can send/receive MIDI clock signals and can send/receive 5V clock signals at various PPQN settings.

Hint

The PPQN (Pulses Per Quarter Note) value sets how many pulses are sent per beat / quarter note. The PolyPulse can be configured to work with any PPQN value between 1 and 96, but commonly used values are 1, 2, 4, 24 and 48.

Syncing to an external clock

The PolyPulse has an internal main clock that drives all of the machines sequencers. The main clock can run on its own or follow external sequencers by setting the clock source parameter to sync in or MIDI in. When following an external sequencer the BPM parameter is continuously adjusted to keep in sync with the external clock source.

../_images/clock-sync-in.png

The PolyPulse settings configured to sync to an external 24 PPQN clock

Hint

External clock signals can be unstable and have jitter. Especially MIDI clock signals generated by computers are often quite unstable and jittery so the PolyPulse employs smoothing to stabilize the main clock. This improves syncing to unstable clocks but also means that the PolyPulse reacts a bit slow when the tempo of the exteral clock changes.

MIDI in

To sync the PolyPulse to an external sequencer that sends MIDI sync signals:

  • If the PolyPulse main clock is running, stop it by pressing clock.

  • Connect an external sequencer to the ↓ MIDI (input) connector.

  • Press settings to open the PolyPulse settings.

  • Scroll down to the clock section.

  • Set clock source to MIDI in.

  • Set MIDI start/stop to true.

Sync in

To sync the PolyPulse to an external sequencer that sends analog sync pulses such as (semi) modular sequencers:

  • If the PolyPulse main clock is running, stop it by pressing clock.

  • Connect a clock signal from an external sequencer to clock in.

  • (optional) Connect a reset signal from an external sequencer to reset in.

  • Press settings to open the PolyPulse settings.

  • Scroll down to the clock section.

  • Set clock source to sync in.

  • Set sync in PPQN to match the PPQN of the external clock source.

Sending clock signals to external devices

The PolyPulse can generate MIDI and analog clock signals to sync external sequencers to the PolyPulse. These signals are derived from the main clock and also work when the PolyPulse itself is synced to an external clock source.

../_images/clock-sync-out.png

The PolyPulse settings configured to send both MIDI sync and a 24 PPQN clock signal

MIDI out

  • Connect the MIDI ↑ (output) connector to your external sequencer.

  • Press settings to open the PolyPulse settings.

  • Scroll down to the clock section.

  • Set MIDI clock out to true.

Sync out

  • Connect the pulse output of track 1 to the clock input of the external sequencer.

  • Connect the pulse output of track 2 to the reset input of the external sequencer.

  • Press settings to open the PolyPulse settings.

  • Scroll down to the clock section.

  • Set sync out to true.

  • Set sync out PPQN to a value that matches what the external sequencer expects.