# Some questions about powering modules, and sequencing **URL:** \ **Category:** DIY STUFF\ **Created:** [May 8, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845 "2020-05-08T17:46:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ranch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/ranch/32/2384_2.png) [@Ranch](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Ranch)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/1 "2020-05-08T17:46:09Z")
Hi! first time posting here. I’m trying to make a modular synth in the KOSMO format. I have almost everything needed for the simple VCO, VCF and EG(from stripboard layouts). I plan on making these modules and then adding to the synth with his new modules. I am new to electronics and stuff, so I have a couple of questions. I have the FC microbus and I can’t figure out how I must power the modules. As I understand I need to get the 4 way terminal headears, bur I’m not sure. Can somenone please explain to a newbie how to connect the modules to power? Also I have questions about sequencing the synth, I was thinking of the beatstep pro or the keystep. Do I have to build the sequencer Sam has a video about? In his envelope generator video he had a simple setup with the drumbrute impact i want something similar. Can I sequence the synth with only the sequencer or do i need a clock input? thanks ---
**Author:** ![Caustic](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/caustic/32/15588_2.png) [@Caustic](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Caustic)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 6:04pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/2 "2020-05-08T18:04:04Z")
Hey, welcome! Check out this thread about the microbus: > [@FREQUENCY CENTRAL Microbus (Power Supply) \[BOM\]](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/frequency-central-microbus-power-supply-bom/151): > > Hey everyone, This is to detail what you need to build the Microbus. The build doc’s BOM is nearly identical to what i will provide, and @lookmumnocomputer has a wonderful build video that covers the process. There is also a builders livestream as well. The video shows the smaller version, but its basically the same thing, only a bit more to do. Sam’s Video: Builder Livestream: [https://www.patreon.com/posts/fc-power-diy-27556693](https://www.patreon.com/posts/fc-power-diy-27556693) Here is the build doc from the frequency central website: … What i do is i get connect em up with IDC socket connectors and ribbon cables. Links in there show you where you can buy em. The microbus has 2x8 (16pin) connections, but kosmo modules and most eurorack uses only the 10 pins. What i do: I put this on the microbus: > **[16 Pin Box Header Connector 2.54mm 2\*8pin](https://www.taydaelectronics.com/connectors-sockets/box-header-connectors/16-pin-box-header-connector-2-54mm.html)** > > GTK - Get It Fast - Same Day Shipping I put this on the modules: > **[10 Pin Box Header Connector 2.54mm 2\*5pin](https://www.taydaelectronics.com/10-pin-box-header-connector-2-54mm.html)** > > ULO Group - Get It Fast - Same Day Shipping Grab some of these: > **[IDC Socket Connector 2.54mm 2\*8 Pin Double Contact](https://www.taydaelectronics.com/connectors-sockets/box-header-connectors/idc-socket-connector-2-54mm-2-8-pin.html)** > > GTK - Get It Fast - Same Day Shipping And these: > **[IDC Socket Connector 2.54mm 2\*5 Pin](https://www.taydaelectronics.com/idc-socket-connector-2-54mm-2-5-pin.html)** > > GTK - Get It Fast - Same Day Shipping And several feet of 10 conductor ribbon cables: > **[10 Conductor AWG 28 Flat Ribbon Cable 1FT (30cm)](https://www.taydaelectronics.com/awg-28-10-conductor-flat-ribbon-cable-1ft-30cm.html)** > > Get It Fast - Same Day Shipping Then, you make a ribbon cable with one end is 16 pin, and the other is 10 pin. making sure the orientation matches what you expect to plug into. here is a reference for the pins: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/8/88c5473fc6327bb9964bedf6a0fb82c5bf8f0de1.png) Basically, just make sure you know where the +12v and -12v are going to be. You can make your own sequencer, you can buy a beatstep, keystep, or keystep pro, all those will work for you. I recommend the beatstep or keystep pro. The OG Keystep isnt a bad option either. All those have an internal clock so you good. ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 6:56pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/3 "2020-05-08T18:56:22Z")
If you’d rather not build power cables you can buy them ready made too: > **[eurorack ribbon power cables](https://synthcube.com/cart/eurorack-ribbon-power-cables)** > > eurorack ribbon power cablesclean up up your eurorack rig- eliminate excess power cable lengths that take up space and create excess signal noise!six lengths available-- 10cm, 15cm, 20cm, 25cm (standard length), 30cm and 50cmespecially useful for... [https://modularaddict.com/parts/cables/eurorack-power-cables-1613](https://modularaddict.com/parts/cables/eurorack-power-cables-1613) ---
**Author:** ![Ranch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/ranch/32/2384_2.png) [@Ranch](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Ranch)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/4 "2020-05-08T20:02:39Z")
Thanks man this really helps! ---
**Author:** ![Caustic](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/caustic/32/15588_2.png) [@Caustic](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Caustic)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 8:14pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/5 "2020-05-08T20:14:10Z")
do they have 16 to 10 varieties? ---
**Author:** ![twinturbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@twinturbo](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/twinturbo)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/6 "2020-05-08T20:19:03Z")
For simple sequencing you can start of with a strip board “baby 8” , if you double up the POTS and have 2 CV, you can send one to the VCO and one to a VCA so that you can control the Frequency and Amplitude of each step… For me that’s going to be my route, although I keep deviating… If you can, build everything with IC sockets. plug in the power without the IC’s and check the sockets have the right power against the chip data sheet… Good luck Rob ---
**Author:** ![Caustic](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/caustic/32/15588_2.png) [@Caustic](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Caustic)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/7 "2020-05-08T20:26:30Z")
Very much this. Socket all of your Integrated Chips. You wont regret it. ---
**Author:** ![Ranch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/ranch/32/2384_2.png) [@Ranch](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Ranch)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 8:37pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/8 "2020-05-08T20:37:06Z")
I will already have the sockets ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2020, 12:35am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/9 "2020-05-09T00:35:41Z")
Yes, in fact that appears to be all SynthCube has. Modular Addict has 16 to 10 and 16 to 16. ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 1:45pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/10 "2020-05-10T13:45:56Z")
And in fact they both seem to be out of stock on a lot of lengths, so maybe I do need to order some cable making supplies next Tayda order. ---
**Author:** ![ChristianBloch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/christianbloch/32/56_2.png) [@ChristianBloch](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/ChristianBloch)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/11 "2020-05-10T17:00:41Z")
With a vice, making them is really pretty easy and reliable. ---
**Author:** ![Maxhirez](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/maxhirez/32/42_2.png) [@Maxhirez](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Maxhirez)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 5:48pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/12 "2020-05-10T17:48:53Z")
[mpja.com](http://mpja.com) usually has 16-16 ribbons and box headers, but they’re usually in the longer ranges. ---
**Author:** ![Caustic](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/caustic/32/15588_2.png) [@Caustic](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Caustic)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/13 "2020-05-10T17:59:26Z")
That said, get more than you need. I’ve crunched many out of zeal. ---
**Author:** ![dirty\_g](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@dirty\_g](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/dirty_g)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:42am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/14 "2020-05-18T01:42:34Z")
> [@twinturbo](#): > > For simple sequencing you can start of with a strip board “baby 8” , if you double up the POTS and have 2 CV, you can send one to the VCO and one to a VCA so that you can control the Frequency and Amplitude of each step… Is there a limit to how many outs/pots you could trigger on the same step? I have a maybe stupid idea to do this with 4 outs on each step, so I could control a kick, snare, hi-hat, and note all triggered from the same sequencer. Is this feasible? ---
**Author:** ![Caustic](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/caustic/32/15588_2.png) [@Caustic](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Caustic)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:55am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/15 "2020-05-18T01:55:39Z")
Im thinking if you go nuts you might be limited by current, but i dont think there would be a problem with this if you dont add too many. I would wait for another to confirm. I have never built this sequencer. ---
**Author:** ![dirty\_g](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@dirty\_g](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/dirty_g)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:57am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/16 "2020-05-18T01:57:41Z")
This is my just-so-crazy-it-might-work idea for each step… ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/7/7a7dc4f23de1092c5ddf8221f5f04ce39cafb6ea.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/17 "2020-05-18T03:19:29Z")
A Baby 8 normally puts out control voltages, usually to control oscillators. You can make a sequencer that puts out triggers or gates to control drums, but that’s a somewhat different circuit. (Pretty much it involves using switches in place of pots.) ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 9:30am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/18 "2020-05-18T09:30:19Z")
i have made some Baby 8 and 16 but never with several outings per stage but maybe this sort of schem can be help you ![CasperSQ Mod N](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/b/b51d497d83a079665165c8fbd1a1628f5756bcbf.jpeg) ![schem](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/8/8723d03dd28252257a7d2bab44942fc31d0eb2e3.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![twinturbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@twinturbo](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/twinturbo)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 12:08pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/19 "2020-05-18T12:08:00Z")
So yeah The standard Sequencer Is CV out, not right for triggering a Drum. But in essence you can probably feed a small number of CV out without a problem or use a driver circuit like DUD shows. Your probably realy after the GATE output that is used to signal the start of each note to the Envelope Generator. This could be used to trigger your drums. Rob ---
**Author:** ![dirty\_g](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@dirty\_g](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/dirty_g)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:04pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845/20 "2020-05-18T13:04:43Z")
Last night I realized having all those outs isn’t so useful as I had briefly imagined. [Next page](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/some-questions-about-powering-modules-and-sequencing/845.md?page=2)