Rodec M-110 Sidestepper Ducker/Gater

The Rodec M-110 Sidestepper is a powerful stereo gater and ducker designed to sculpt silence as creatively as you shape sound. Combining a fully analogue VCA signal path with a digitally controlled step sequencer sidechain, it lets you carve rhythmic patterns, pumping grooves and intricate gating effects that lock perfectly to your track or live rig.

At its core, the M-110 is all about dynamic pattern sequencing. Instead of relying on a simple envelope follower, you can programme detailed step sequences that control how your audio is ducked or gated. With up to 16 steps per pattern, multiple pattern banks and extensive humanise options, it becomes a performance tool as much as a utility processor, ideal for electronic producers, mix engineers and live performers who want tight, musical movement in their mixes.

The audio path itself remains resolutely analogue. A high-headroom VCA circuit handles the actual gain shaping, with dedicated controls for Attack, Decay, Threshold and Depth. This gives you the familiar feel of classic studio duckers and noise gates, but with far more creative control. You can trigger the circuit from the internal sequencer, an external analogue sidechain, or even from the main audio, with an integrated filter on the sidechain input so you can key the effect from specific frequency ranges such as kick or snare.

For modern setups, the M-110 offers flexible sync and routing options. The sequencer can follow MIDI clock or audio PPQN, keeping your patterns locked to DAWs, drum machines or modular systems. A one-shot mode lets the sequence run through a single cycle only when an incoming signal crosses your chosen threshold, perfect for responsive fills and accents. A dedicated Mix function allows you to sum the sidechain trigger and main audio at the output, making it easy to check timing or build layered, evolving textures without re-patching.

Dynamic Step Sequencer Sidechain

The built-in digital step sequencer transforms the M-110 from a simple utility into a creative rhythm engine. With pattern lengths from 1 to 16 steps and multiple pattern banks, you can design anything from straightforward four-on-the-floor pumping to intricate, evolving sequences that drive your ducking and gating in time with your music.

Fully Analogue VCA Signal Path

While the sequencing is digital, the actual audio path remains fully analogue for maximum warmth and headroom. Attack, Decay, Threshold and Depth controls give you precise control over how the gate or ducker responds, whether you are tightening up a noisy signal, adding classic sidechain pump to pads, or carving space for drums in a dense mix.

Flexible Sidechain and Sync Options

The M-110 can be triggered by its internal sequencer, an external analogue sidechain, or the main audio itself, with an integrated filter on the sidechain input so you can focus the response on specific frequencies. Sync via MIDI clock or audio PPQN keeps everything locked to your DAW, drum machine or modular clock, making it easy to integrate into any modern studio or live setup.

Human Feel and Performance Control

Humanise tools including variable step length, shuffle and a randomiser function let you move beyond rigid grids into more organic, evolving patterns. One-shot sequencing and the Mix function at the output give you additional performance control, allowing you to trigger single pattern passes and blend sidechain and main audio for quick timing checks or creative layered soundscapes.

• Integrated 1–16 Step Sequencer - Programme custom rhythmic patterns that directly control the analogue ducking and gating circuits, from simple four-step pulses to complex 16-step polyrhythms that add movement and groove to any source.
• Pure Analogue VCA Processing - Enjoy the warmth and precision of a fully analogue VCA path, with dedicated Attack, Decay, Threshold and Depth controls so you can dial in anything from subtle level riding to aggressive chopping effects.
• Versatile Sidechain and Sync - Trigger the effect from the internal sequencer, an external analogue sidechain with integrated filter, or the main audio, and keep everything in time via MIDI clock or audio PPQN for seamless integration with DAWs and hardware.
• Humanise, Shuffle and Randomiser - Add feel and variation with per-step length control, shuffle and a built-in randomiser, plus one-shot operation and a Mix button that lets you sum sidechain and main audio for creative layering and easy timing checks.

Sequencer

• Type: Digital step sequencer sidechain programmer
• Steps: 1 to 16 steps per pattern
• Pattern Storage: Multiple pattern banks
• Humanise Functions: Variable step length
• Groove Tools: Shuffle
• Variation: Built-in randomiser
• Modes: Continuous and one-shot operation

Signal Path and Control

• Audio Path: Fully analogue VCA circuit
• Operation Modes: Gater and ducker
• Controls: Attack, Decay, Threshold, Depth
• Trigger Sources: Internal sequencer, external analogue sidechain, main audio
• Sidechain Processing: Integrated filter on external sidechain input

Sync and Connectivity

• Sync Options: MIDI clock
• Additional Sync: Audio PPQN
• Output Function: Dedicated Mix button to blend sidechain trigger and main audio