A versatile and very low-cost programmable pulse generator for nuclear magnetic resonance is reported. The apparatus consists of basic transistor–transistor logic devices, and is equipped with independent 16 channel outputs. Each of the pulse widths and intervals are adjustable in 0.1 &mgr;s resolution. The pulse sequence is made on a 32 bit personal computer, and transferred to the pulse generator hardware through the Centronics printer interface. No additional interface is necessary for a standard personal computer. The pulse data are initially stored in static random access memories, and then read out to construct 16 channel pulse arrays. The apparatus was used for pulsed field gradient spin-echo nuclear magnetic resonance experiments combined with rotation of a quadrupole coil. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.