Frap Tools Usta
4-track programmable sequencer with variable stage duration
36 HP Eurorack module
USTA is a 4x4-tracks sequencer for voltages and gates with variable stage duration. Each of the 16 stages can store two CVs and two gates across four independent tracks, totaling 8 CV and 8 gate outputs with 16-bit resolution. Its oval encoder layout with RGB LED feedback enables hands-on editing of pitch, gate length, variation probability, and stage colors (slide, ratchet, skip). Flexible clock division/multiplication per track, built-in quantization with custom scales and temperaments, Stage Loop for cross-pattern looping, Song Mode for pattern arrangement, and Composition Mode for offline editing make it a deeply programmable performance sequencer.
Features
- 4 independent tracks with 2 CV + 2 gate outputs each (8 CV, 8 gates total)
- 16 stages per pattern with variable duration (0-16 units per stage)
- 16-bit DAC resolution on all CV outputs
- Clock division (24:1 to 2:1) and multiplication (1:2 to 1:8) per track
- Three CV stage colors: nominal, slide (portamento), and skip (freeze)
- Three gate stage colors: gate length, ratcheting (gate number), and gate skip
- Three variation layers per channel: value, probability index, and bipolar range
- Quantization with 12-TET, custom scales, and alternative temperaments (15/19/22/24 TET)
- 32 patterns per track, arrangeable in Song Mode (64 slots)
- Stage Loop for parallel cross-pattern sub-loops with configurable length and repeats
- Composition Mode for offline sequence scrubbing and monitoring
- Two CV inputs with 7 modulation targets (pitch/gate/stage/vari/root/phase/pattern shift)
Controls & Jacks (55)
- Clock In
- Reset / Play In
- Stage 1
- Stage 2
- Stage 3
- Stage 4
- Stage 5
- Stage 6
- Stage 7
- Stage 8
- Stage 9
- Stage 10
- Stage 11
- Stage 12
- Stage 13
- Stage 14
- Stage 15
- Nav / Menu
- Set All
- Shift All
- Coarse / Fine
- Esc
- Stage Loop LED
- From / All LED
- Stage Loop
- Pencil
- CV A
- CV B
- Length
- Gate A
- Gate B
- Track 1
- Track 2
- Track 3
- Track 4
- Play / Pause
- Play LED
- OLED Display
- Pattern LED
- Track 1 CV A Out
- Track 1 Gate A Out
- Track 1 CV B Out
- Track 1 Gate B Out
- Track 2 CV A Out
- Track 2 Gate A Out
- Track 2 CV B Out
- Track 2 Gate B Out
- Track 3 CV A Out
- Track 3 Gate A Out
- Track 3 CV B Out
- Track 3 Gate B Out
- Track 4 CV A Out
- Track 4 Gate A Out
- Track 4 CV B Out
- Track 4 Gate B Out
How-To Guides
- Basic Melodic Sequence
- Polyrhythmic Two-Track Patch
- Generative Variation Patch
- Ratcheting Drum Pattern
- External CV Modulation with Pattern Shift
- Structured Song with Pattern Arrangement
Explore the interactive Usta panel on BleepDex — tap any control to learn what it does.
