make-noise/rene

René

Make Noise

Capabilities 4

CV Quantizercv-quantizer
Each of the three channels (X, Y, C) has an independent per-channel quantizer with user-selectable 12-tone scale notes and 1-4 octave output range selection.238
Cartesian Sequencercartesian-sequencer
René is a three-channel Cartesian sequencer. X and Y channels follow 16-step snake patterns; C/Orange Cartesian channel uses X and Y clocks for independent horizontal/vertical movement through the 4x4 grid.238
Select Busselect-bus
René can lead or follow the Select Bus. As LEAD it transmits state changes, multi-paste, mesh, and store to following modules (TEMPI, Disting mk4, etc.). As FOLLOW it receives state commands from a leading René or other module.238
State Memorystate-memory
René stores up to 64 complete states in 4 banks of 16, addressable by Z-MOD gate, Z-CV voltage, or touch. The Z axis is the third dimension of the sequencer.238

Jacks 12 — 8 in / 4 out

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (8)
X-CLKclock≥2.5VClock input for X/Red Channel and Cartesian/Orange X-axis. Requires width greater than 2.5ms and amplitude greater than 2.5V.238
X-CVcv0V to 5VControl Voltage input for X/Red Channel and Cartesian/Orange X-axis, with CV Combo Pot (input attenuator with 5V normalization). Range 0-5V.238
X-MODgate≥2.5VMODifier gate input for X/Red Channel and Cartesian/Orange X-axis. Requires width greater than 2.5ms and amplitude greater than 2.5V.238
Y-CLKclock≥2.5VClock input for Y/Green Channel and Cartesian/Orange Y-axis. Requires width greater than 2.5ms and amplitude greater than 2.5V.238
Y-CVcv0V to 5V238
Y-MODgate≥2.5V238
Z-CVcv0V to 5VControl Voltage input for selecting Stored STATEs or Global Reset. Range 0-5V.238
Z-MODgate≥2.5VGate input for incrementing through Stored STATEs. Requires width greater than 2.5ms and amplitude greater than 2.5V.238
Outputs (4)
C-CVcvControl Voltage output for Cartesian/Orange channel. Range 0-4 octaves.238
C-Ggate0V to 8V238
X-Ggate0V to 8VGate output for X/Red channel. Outputs 0V or 8V.238
Y-Ggate0V to 8V238

Parameters 23

NameTypeRangeBehavior
ACCESSmenu_settingPer-channel page (red, green, orange) where each of 16 locations can be enabled or disabled. Enabled locations are visited by the sequencer; disabled locations are skipped or slept through depending on FUN.OP.SLEEP setting.238
CV Programming Grid (Knobs)knob16 illuminated knobs arranged in a 4x4 grid. Each knob sets the CV output value for the corresponding location on the currently selected channel. Changes are applied when the sequence reaches that location.238
FUN.CV.ADDmenu_settingAdds the channel's CV input to the current location value, then quantizes if quantizer is active. Not available on C/Orange channel. Mutually exclusive with FUN.CV.S&H.238
FUN.CV.LOCmenu_settingAllows CV input to directly address the channel's location along the active snake pattern. For C/Orange, CV range for addressing is 1/4 that of X/Y channels. CLK input still increments the sequence start point.238
FUN.CV.S&Hmenu_settingLike FUN.CV.ADD but CV addition is only updated on rising edge of MOD input (sample and hold). Not available on C/Orange. Mutually exclusive with FUN.CV.ADD.238
FUN.CV.SNAKEmenu_settingWhen enabled, CV input selects the snake pattern. Has no effect on C/Orange channel. When turned off, the currently selected snake pattern is retained.238
FUN.MOD.CLKmenu_settingCombines CLK and MOD inputs to drive the axis. CLK is read as variable-width gate; MOD is read as rising-edge trigger. When MOD is unpatched, button acts as manual clock advance.238
FUN.MOD.RESETmenu_settingResets channel to nearest access-enabled location to location 1 on rising edge of MOD input. When MOD is unpatched, button acts as manual reset toggle.238
FUN.MOD.RUNSTPmenu_settingChannel runs when MOD gate is high, stops when low. Mutually exclusive with FUN.MOD.DIR. When unpatched, button toggles run/stop manually.238
FUN.OP.SCANmenu_settingScans all 16 knobs and writes their current physical positions onto the current channel, instantly applying knob values.238
FUN.OP.SLEEPmenu_settingWhen SLEEP OFF: sequence skips past non-accessed locations (SEEK). When SLEEP ON: CV output rests for one clock at each non-accessed location before moving on.238
FUN.OP.TRIGmenu_settingOFF: gate output follows clock width. ON: gate output is a short trigger. As of V133 firmware, gate-tie behavior is added: locations with both Gate and Glide enabled stay high until a non-Glide-enabled location is reached.238
GATEmenu_settingPer-channel page enabling or disabling gate output per location. Gate width follows clock input width or outputs short trigger depending on FUN.OP.TRIG setting.238
GBL.BUSmenu_settingControls Select Bus behavior. FREE (default): ignores Select Bus. LEAD: transmits state changes, multi-paste, mesh, and store commands to following modules. FOLLOW: René changes state to match commands received on Select Bus.238
GBL.STOREbuttonStores all states and global settings to non-volatile memory. René stops sequencing during the 8-10 second store process. M-Paste and Latch settings are not stored. The active state at store time is loaded on next power-up.238
GBL.Z.RESETmenu_settingWhen ON, state changes via Z-MOD also reset all three channels (X, Y, C) to the access-enabled location nearest to location 1. Also applies to manual state selection on State Select page.238
GL.Z.ONmenu_settingWhen ON: Z-MOD and Z-CV select states globally from all pages. When OFF: Z-MOD and Z-CV only work on the State Select page.238
GLIDEmenu_settingPer-channel page enabling portamento per location. For X and Y channels glide time follows clock rate; for Cartesian channel glide time is a constant.238
Octave Range (QUANT top row)menu_setting1octave – 4octave238
QUANTmenu_settingPer-channel quantizer. Bottom three rows select notes from the 12-tone equal-tempered scale. Top row selects octave range (1-4 octaves). No octave range selected means maximum output range/resolution with no quantization.238
SNAKEmenu_settingAvailable for X and Y channels only (not C/Cartesian). Selects one of 16 snake patterns determining the path the sequence takes through the 4x4 grid. CV input can also select snake pattern when FUN.CV.SNAKE is enabled.238
X-CV Combo PotknobInput attenuator for X-CV jack with 5V normalization. When nothing is patched, acts as a panel control with the 5V normal allowing manual CV selection.238
Y-CV Combo PotknobInput attenuator for Y-CV jack with 5V normalization. When nothing is patched, acts as a panel control with the 5V normal allowing manual CV selection.238

Firmware history 1 version

VersionReleasedNotes
133Added gate tie behavior to FUN.OP.TRIG: locations with both Gate and Glide enabled cause the gate output to stay high until a non-Glide-enabled location is reached, enabling variable-length tied notes. Also includes bug fixes.238

References 2

  1. [238]
    René Manual (current; the post-Classic three-channel sequencer)manual
    verified 2026-05-06
  2. [239]
    Make Noise René product pageproduct_page
    ⚠ verified 2026-05-06 · manufacturer changed since last verified