Clock dividers and multipliers derive slower or faster tempo-locked pulse streams from a master clock

Once a master clock is running, a clock divider outputs a pulse every Nth clock tick (slower, e.g. /4 for a pulse each bar) and a clock multiplier outputs several pulses per tick (faster, e.g. x2 for eighth-notes). Because every derived stream stays phase-locked to the master, dividers and multipliers are how a modular builds polymetric and layered rhythms that all stay in time — one clock drives the kick, its /2 drives the snare, its x4 drives hats. Some modules also modulate the clock itself (skipping steps, adding bursts) for shuffle and fills.

Examples

Master clock -> divider: /4 output to a kick trigger, /3 output to a percussion trigger creates a 3-against-4 polyrhythm locked to tempo. Multiplier x2 output drives an eighth-note hi-hat.

Assessment

Explain the difference between a clock divider and a clock multiplier and why both outputs stay in time with the master. Design a two-division patch that produces a polyrhythm.