F_CLOXZ

CLOXZ – Fractional Clock & Rhythm Engine

CLOXZ is a flexible clock and rhythm engine designed to generate straight, swung, syncopated, polyrhythmic and probabilistic trigger patterns. It combines an internal or external master clock with four independent clock lanes, each featuring fractional division and probability control, plus two additional rhythm utilities: BURST and RANDOM. CLOXZ is intended as a central timing and variation source for modular patches rather than a traditional step sequencer.

Clock Sources and Global Control

CLOXZ can run from its internal clock or be driven by an external clock signal. When no external clock is connected to the CLK input, the internal BPM control defines the master tempo. When an external clock is connected, CLOXZ automatically follows incoming rising edges and ignores the BPM control. The RST input resets the internal clock phase, all divider phases and internal schedulers, allowing rhythmic patterns to be re-synchronized at any time. A manual RESET button performs the same function and allows re-synchronization directly from the panel. The RUN input acts as a gate-controlled run/stop function: when RUN is not connected, CLOXZ always runs; when connected, a voltage above 1V enables the clock and 0V pauses it. The SWNG input modulates the global swing amount and is added to the SWING knob value.

BPM, Swing and Global Probability

The BPM knob sets the internal tempo when no external clock is present. Swing applies rhythmic offset to the master clock, creating a shuffled or grooved feel by delaying alternating clock steps. Swing always operates at the master clock level and affects all derived timing equally. The PROB knob defines a global probability factor that influences all probabilistic events in the module. It acts as an overall density control and is multiplied with per-output probability settings.

Clock Outputs A–D

CLOXZ provides four independent clock outputs labeled A, B, C and D. Each output has its own DIV and PROB controls. The DIV control sets the clock division factor relative to the master clock and supports fractional values such as 0.5, 1.5 or 2.5. A DIV value of 1 outputs a clock identical to the master clock, values greater than 1 slow the output clock by skipping ticks, and values below 1 generate multiple evenly spaced pulses within a single master clock interval. This allows for double-time clocks, ratcheting effects and syncopated or shifting rhythms. The PROB control for each output defines the probability that a clock event will occur on that output and is multiplied with the global PROB value, allowing both global and per-lane density control.

TRIG / GATE Mode

CLOXZ features a global TRIG / GATE mode switch that defines how clock outputs A–D behave. In TRIG mode, clock outputs generate short trigger pulses suitable for drum modules, logic processors and sequencers. In GATE mode, clock outputs generate longer gates intended for envelopes, VCAs and filters. Gate length is internally derived from the master clock interval and is intentionally shorter than a full clock step to preserve clear rising edges, even when using fast or fractional divisions such as DIV 0.5. The TRIG / GATE switch affects only outputs A–D. The BURST and RANDOM outputs always operate in TRIG mode.

Fractional Division Behavior

Fractional DIV values are handled using internal phase accumulators. This means that divisions such as 1.5 or 0.5 produce musically consistent, time-accurate results rather than simple modulo-based skipping. When DIV is below 1, multiple pulses are generated per master clock step and are evenly distributed across the clock interval, ensuring stable timing and predictable groove behavior.

BURST

The BURST section provides a deterministic event multiplier. Whenever output A produces a clock event after its DIV and PROB settings are applied, the BURST engine can generate multiple rapid trigger pulses within the same master clock interval. The BURST knob sets how many pulses are generated. These pulses are evenly spaced and do not use probability. The BURST output is therefore ideal for ratchets, flams, rolls or stutter-style trigger effects. BURST is intentionally tied to output A, making A the rhythmic reference lane for burst generation.

RANDOM

The RANDOM output is an independent random trigger generator. On every master clock tick, RANDOM has a chance to fire based solely on the global PROB setting. RANDOM is not influenced by DIV, per-output probabilities, TRIG / GATE mode or BURST, and always follows the master clock timing including swing. This makes it useful for random accents, occasional fills, stochastic resets or any situation where controlled unpredictability is desired.

Design Philosophy

CLOXZ is designed around a clear separation of roles. Outputs A–D are structured clock lanes with deterministic timing and optional probability, optionally behaving as triggers or gates. BURST is a deterministic modifier that multiplies an existing rhythmic event, while RANDOM is an autonomous variation source. This intentional asymmetry keeps the module powerful yet understandable, encourages creative patching and avoids unnecessary complexity.

Typical Use Cases

Use CLOXZ as a master clock hub, a polyrhythmic generator, a swing-aware ratcheting engine or a controlled randomness source. Drive drum modules, envelopes, sequencers or logic processors, or combine multiple outputs to create evolving rhythmic structures that stay locked to a common groove.

Summary

CLOXZ is not just a clock divider, but a rhythm engine that combines precise timing, fractional divisions, probability, trigger and gate generation and event multiplication. It is designed to stay predictable where it matters and unpredictable where it inspires, making it a powerful foundation for rhythmic patching in Voltage Modular.