4ms Dual Looping Clock Divider (2009–2018)
Two independent clock dividers that bend time, loop it, and reset it on a whim.
Overview
The 4ms Dual Looping Clock Divider (DLCD) doesn't generate clocks. It reworks them. It showed up in the early days of Eurorack expansion, when clock manipulation was still mostly binary division and reset triggers. It doesn't just divide your clock signal by 2, 4, or 8. Each of its two channels counts up to a user-defined maximum, then loops back, which gives polyrhythmic sequences that stutter and shift.
Standard dividers endlessly halve incoming pulses. The DLCD lets you set a custom count length - say, divide by 5, then reset. Or 7. Or 13. Each channel has its own independent count range, reset control, and CV input for modulation. One side can pulse in a tight 3/4 waltz while the other crawls through a 17-step cycle, both synced to the same master clock. Because the reset point is voltage-controllable, you can modulate the loop length in real time and get sequences that evolve.
It sits between the simpler 4ms Rotating Clock Divider (RCD) and the more complex QCD (Quad Clock Divider). It's more flexible than basic dividers and less complex than quad units, with a looping architecture that no other module offered at the time. It wasn't built for the most channels or the fastest response. It was built to be the most musical. The front panel is sparse: two identical channels, each with a knob for setting division count, a reset button, CV input, and outputs for divided clock and reset pulse. There's no display, no menu diving, and no firmware updates needed to reach core functions.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | 4ms Company |
| Production Years | 2009–2018 |
| Original Price | $295 USD |
| Module Format | Eurorack |
| HP Size | 12HP |
| Depth | 40mm |
| Current Draw (+12V) | 80mA |
| Current Draw (-12V) | 20mA |
| Clock Input | 5V to 15V, rising edge triggered |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 3kHz |
| Division Range per Channel | 1 to 16 (adjustable) |
| Looping Function | Yes, user-defined count with auto-reset |
| Reset Input | Normalled to internal reset, accepts external trigger |
| CV Control | 1V/octave scaling for division count modulation |
| Outputs per Channel | Divided Clock, Reset Pulse |
| Normalization | Reset inputs normalled to internal reset logic |
| Firmware Updatable | No |
| Weight | 280g |
Key Features
Looping Division with Dynamic Reset
The defining trait of the DLCD is that it counts a set number of incoming clock pulses and then resets automatically. You can set one channel to output a pulse every 5 clocks, then reset, for a steady quintuplet pattern. Or modulate the count via CV to shift between 3 and 7, which gives irregular groupings. The reset pulse output is just as useful. Patch it to a sequencer's reset input, and your 8-step sequence restarts every 7 master clocks, creating a slow drift that never quite repeats.
Independent Dual Channels with Full CV Control
Each of the two channels runs completely independently, with its own division knob, CV input, and outputs. You can run two different rhythmic sub-systems from one master clock. One channel might divide by 4 to drive a bass sequence, while the other counts to 11 to trigger a sparse percussion pattern. The CV input responds to 1V/octave scaling, so a sequencer, LFO, or random source can change the division count on the fly. To get a rhythm that starts in 4/4 and gradually shifts into a 7-beat cycle, patch an LFO to the CV input and dial in the range. The response is smooth and musical, not stepped. And because the CV input affects the count length, not just the division ratio, it goes well beyond standard clock manipulation.
Reset Logic and External Sync
Each channel has a dedicated reset button and reset input, so external triggers can force a restart of the counting cycle. This matters when syncing to other sequencers or aligning multiple DLCDs across a system. The reset input is normalled to the internal reset logic, so if nothing is patched, the module resets automatically when it hits the set count. Patch in an external trigger, such as a bar-end pulse or a manual button, and you can override the loop at any time. That helps in live performance, where you might want to restart a looping pattern on the downbeat. The reset pulse output can also trigger other events - envelopes, sample-and-holds, or other clock dividers.
Historical Context
The DLCD emerged in 2009, as Eurorack was shifting from boutique curiosity to widespread adoption. At the time, clock management was still largely handled by basic dividers, often just /2, /4, /8 outputs with no modulation or reset control. Modules like the Doepfer A-160 series got the job done, but they were static. The DLCD, along with contemporaries like the Qu-Bit Turing Machine and the Intellijel Metropolis, represented a new wave of dynamic timing modules that treated rhythm as an expressive parameter rather than a fixed grid. 4ms Company, already known for the Dual Looping Delay, positioned the DLCD as a companion piece, a way to generate complex, evolving clock structures that could drive those long, textured delays.
It wasn’t the first to offer voltage-controlled division, but it was among the first to make looping counts intuitive and performable. Competitors like the ALM Busy Circuits Pam’s New Workout offered more complexity, but at a steeper learning curve. The DLCD struck a balance: deep enough for advanced users, simple enough for beginners to grasp immediately. It also arrived before the explosion of clock sequencers and Turing machines, giving it a window of uniqueness. By the mid-2010s, modules like the Mutable Instruments Marbles and the ALM Grids began offering similar generative timing, but the DLCD’s focus on looping counts—rather than probability or randomness—kept it distinct. It wasn’t trying to create chaos; it was trying to create structure—just not the kind you could write in 4/4.
Collectibility & Value
The DLCD is no longer in production. It was quietly discontinued around 2018. It remains sought after among Eurorack users who value hands-on, deterministic rhythm design. On the used market, prices range from $250 to $380 depending on condition and seller. Units with clean faceplates, responsive knobs, and no solder blemishes command the higher end, especially with original packaging or documentation. Because it contains no firmware, there are no update-related issues or bricking risks.
Mechanically, the DLCD is sturdy. It uses standard PCB-mounted jacks and sturdy potentiometers, and there are no known design flaws or recurring failures. The most common reported issue is intermittent contact on the reset buttons, usually from dust or wear, and contact cleaner fixes it. There are no electrolytic capacitors to dry out, no displays to fail, and no microcontrollers to crash - just discrete logic and passive components, which makes it one of the more reliable modules of its era. Because it's been out of production for several years, replacement parts are not officially supported, though the design is simple enough that experienced technicians can service it without difficulty.
When buying, check that both channels respond consistently to clock input across all division settings, and verify that the reset function works reliably, both manually and via the CV input. Some users have reported slight CV scaling drift over time, but this is rare and usually correctable with calibration. Avoid units with bent or loose jacks, as the PCB is not reinforced for heavy cable strain. Overall, the DLCD is a low-risk vintage purchase with no known hidden flaws. It won't appreciate like a vintage Roland, but it will hold its value among modular collectors who appreciate its niche.
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