alm-busy-circuits/pamelas-new-workout

Pamela's NEW Workout

ALM Busy Circuits

Compact programmable clocked modulation source providing 8 highly editable outputs producing various control voltage signals correlated and synced to a BPM based master clock.518

Capabilities 4

Clock Sourceclock-source
8-output BPM-based master clock with tempo 10–300 BPM, divisors/multipliers from /512 to x48, and external clock sync at 1–48 PPQN.518
Euclidean Sequencereuclidean-sequencer
Each output can apply Euclidean rhythm patterns with configurable step count, hit count, and rotation.518
LFOlfo
Each of 8 outputs can produce Gate, Triangle, Sine, Envelope, Random, or Smooth Random waveforms synced to clock, with adjustable level, width, phase, delay, and CV assignment.518
Quantizerquantizer
Per-output quantization of output voltage to 1V/oct musical scales including Major, Minor, Harmonic Minor, Pentatonic, Lydian, Phrygian, Japanese, chord scales, and chromatic. Limited to 10-bit resolution across 5 octaves.518

Jacks 12 — 4 in / 8 out

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (4)
CLKclock≥0.7VExternal clock input; rising edge minimum 700mV. Used to sync Pamela to an external clock at 1 to 48 PPQN.518
CV 1cv0V to 5VCV input 1; responds to 0–5V. Can be assigned to control output parameters with individual attenuation and offset. Only responds to positive voltages.518
CV 2cv-5V to 5VCV input 2; responds to -5V to +5V (0V is 50%). Can be assigned to control output parameters with individual attenuation and offset. Supports attenuversion.518
Rungate≥0.7VRun/reset input; expects gate-like signals. By default used for external sync start/stop; assignable to Reset, Load Sequenced Bank, Rotate Outputs, or Load CV Bank.518
Outputs (8)
OUT1mixed0V to 5V518
OUT2mixed0V to 5V518
OUT3mixed0V to 5V518
OUT4mixed0V to 5V518
OUT5mixed0V to 5V518
OUT6mixed0V to 5V518
OUT7mixed0V to 5V518
OUT8mixed0V to 5V518

Parameters 22

NameTypeRangeBehavior
BPMmenu_setting10BPM – 300BPM518
Delaymenu_settingPercentage of total step time before waveform generation starts; output is 0 during the delay period and the waveform end is clipped. Requires delay divisor to be set.518
Dly /menu_settingSets which steps the delay parameter alters. Divisor of 1 delays every step, 2 every other step, 3 every third, etc. A divisor of 2 creates a classic swing effect.518
ERotmenu_settingRotates the defined Euclidean pattern by the specified number of steps.518
EStepmenu_settingSets the number of steps used for a full Euclidean pattern.518
Levelmenu_setting0% – 100%Sets the voltage output level as a percentage of maximum 5V output.518
Loadmenu_setting518
Logicmenu_settingSelects one of 3 logic operations (AND, OR, XOR) to combine the edited channel's output with one of the 7 other channels' outputs. NO = no logic operation.518
Modifiermenu_settingSets the clock divisor or multiplier for the output, ranging from /512 to x48 including non-integer factors. Special utility types include constant on/off gates, a single start pulse, and a single stop pulse.518
Mutemenu_settingMutes and un-mutes an output. The output can still be edited while muted. Mute state can be quickly toggled by holding the program knob and clicking the start/stop button.518
Offsetmenu_setting0% – 100%Adds a vertical offset voltage to the output. Signals over 5V are clipped at 5V maximum.518
Phasemenu_settingReferences the start point on the chosen output waveform; e.g. starting a triangle at 50% phase starts it midway through the cycle.518
PPQNmenu_setting1PPQN – 48PPQNSets the Pulses Per Quarter Note ratio for external clock sync. Default is 24 PPQN (DIN Sync). Can also be assigned to 'CV' where a voltage level on CV1 controls tempo.518
Program KnobknobMain navigation and selection control. Click to select/highlight items, twist to adjust values or cycle through outputs/parameters. Push and hold for over 1 second to access extended parameters. Used for all menu navigation.518
Quantmenu_settingQuantises the final output value to fit in a selected musical scale or mode using the 1V/octave standard. Available scales: NO, MA (Major), mi (Minor), Hm (Harmonic Minor), PM (Pentatonic Major), Pm (Pentatonic Minor), Ly (Lydian), Ph (Phrygian), Jp (Japanese), C5 (VI Chord), C4 (IV Chord), Ch (12-tone chromatic).518
Resetmenu_setting518
RSkipmenu_settingPercentage likelihood of a step being completely skipped. Together with the loop parameter, used to build rhythmic loops.518
Savemenu_setting518
Slopmenu_settingPercentage indicating the likelihood of timing errors being introduced; humanises the output timing.518
Start/Stop ButtonbuttonStarts and stops the master clock. Also used in combination with the program knob hold to quickly toggle mute state of a selected output.518
Wavemenu_settingSelects the output waveform shape: Gate, Triangle, Sine, Envelope, Random, or Smooth Random. A full cycle covers a single step.518
Widthmenu_settingPercentage width relative to step time; behavior varies by wave type: Gate = duty cycle, Triangle/Sine = skew (50% is symmetric triangle, 100% is saw), Envelope = release time percentage, Random = no effect, Smooth Random = peak shape from sharp (0%) to rounded (100%).518

Firmware history 18 versions

VersionReleasedNotes
207Tweak to logic handling to avoid potential short ghost triggers based on logic ordering.520
206Fix minor issue with step-up output type getting rendered incorrectly.520
205Added Smooth Random waveform type; added Logic parameter (AND/OR/XOR channel combining); fixed small output blip when rotating outputs.520
204Added sample-and-hold behavior to quantised random waveform when rhythmic patterns (rskip, euclidean) are applied; updated manual.520
2032020-04Renamed scales to new notation; added Phrygian scale; fixed issue where special modifier types were not saving correctly.520
2022020-04Added QUANT quantizer with basic scales; added new run type for bank selection via voltage; fixed PPQN screen value change on activation; fixed CV reset of random seed; fixed CV modifier auto-assignment bug; fixed full reset not resetting mute states.520
2012018-11Added support for improved BPM representation requiring Rev 063 board; with Rev 063, internal clock calibration is no longer supported. No improvement over v200 on Rev 062 hardware.520
2002018-06Tweaked version of 199 to support Rev 062 hardware with a different (same spec) DAC chip. Functionality identical to 199. Only for Rev 062 units; will not work on older hardware.520
1992018-01-16Fixed BPM change lag on clock start; improved random seed distribution across outputs; fixed expander sync when slaved to external clock; fixed outputs starting with phase offset in some situations.520
1982017-10-25Fixed output end pulse type not firing; fixed CV looping bug; corrected bank load direction when CV1 is low (loads next, not previous); allowed external clock with new run options; extended screensaver timeout to 15 minutes.520
197-BETA-22017-09-14Improved voltage control of tempo.520
197-BETA2017-08-17Various bug fixes and tweaks to run input and rotation; added single-row (upper 4 outputs) rotation mode.520
196Further tweaks to make Slop behavior more predictable/natural.520
195Tweaked program knob push-twist handling; fixed voltage control of Euclidean parameters; improved clock calibration resolution (now 0–100 scale); added basic OLED screensaver dimming after 10 minutes of inactivity.520
192Fixed run input not working when external clock is not patched.520
191Fixed Slop parameter so that de-slopped outputs fall back into sync.520
189Added output muting; added vertical offset parameter; improved expander MIDI compatibility; increased CV handling precision; fixed CV2 attenuversion (now inverts and treats midpoint as 0); fixed work bank sync across power cycles; fixed expander run signal left high on stop; fixed Euclidean output reset; allowed utility modifier outputs to be saved and recalled.520
177Original release firmware.520

References 3

  1. [518]
    ALM-017 'Pamela's NEW Workout' Operation Manual v0.7 (firmware 206)manual
    verified 2026-05-19
  2. [519]
    ALM Pamela's NEW Workout product pageproduct_page
    verified 2026-05-19
  3. [520]
    ALM-017 Firmware History (ChangeLog.txt)firmware_notes
    verified 2026-05-19