Which is it in ur opinions?
To be able to record as many measures as possible, to sequence at least 16 tracks, with more than one midi note per channel(at least 3).
To have all types of recording: step, xox and live play from the ext keyboard.
Cirklon in my opinion
for $1700 it better be
never used one but it looks awesome
my favorite “cheapo” unit is RS7000
hardware mpc
+1 Cirklon
I haven’t tried it yet, so it’s not my opinion but more of a qualified guess, but I think that the E-MU Command Station is up there some place. Does all three recording types, supports grid recording while playing back etc.
Interface seems a joy, with separate buttons for trig input and playing (think Analog Four). And regarding playing: the pads transmit velocity and aftertouch! Also there are 16 knobs that can correspond to the 16 steps of a sequence, to edit things like velocity and gate time (they are also used to edit onboard synth patches, and can also be assigned to transmit any MIDI CC#s).
All it seems to lack from what I’ve read (as far as my not-too-exotic requirements go), is the ability to transpose tracks live (like you can on the Analog Four, RM1x etc), though there might be a workaround to at least be able to do one interval using the touch strip.
They are cheap too, and as a nice bonus they include a quite sophisticated ROMpler engine.
i chime in just to say i’m actually selling a just builded midibox seq 4, i don’t know the cirklon but think they are comparable…do way more than the things you ask…
Sonic Potions LXR has a pretty decent sequencer, with new features being added, like here http://youtu.be/4EEHB_qYQ9E
http://forum.sonic-potions.com/discussion/262/new-customized-firmware-modifications
Also has CV output expansion http://forum.sonic-potions.com/discussion/74/trigger-outs
And is fun with midi switcher http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiCg62Wt0s0
Some talk on the forum of adding extra sequencer tracks, besides those for the LXR drum synths.
MTRX-8 also looks interesting
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2014/01/review-mtrx-8-hardware-sequencer-can-reprogram/
If you want a hardware sequencer you may want to consider a MIDIbox SEQV4… I have started my build with the cv/gate option and can’t wait till it is finished… I can’t comment on how easy it is to use as I am still building it… From what I can tell it is basically a Sequentix Cirklon but DIY…
LFO - Why are you selling your SEQV4?
Look under the side bar for SEQV4 there is no direct link…
Features
[ul]
[li]optimized for live playing and editing[/li]
[li]intuitive user interface with flat menu hierarchy, wide screen display (2 * 2x40 = 160 characters) and 16+1 rotary encoders with menu page dependent “soft function”.[/li]
[li]multiple MIDI Out ports (up to 12) for reduced MIDI latency[/li]
[li]3 MIDI In ports (e.g. for separated MIDI clock and MIDI keyboard inputs)[/li]
[li]USB interface which supports USB MIDI protocol to send events more than 100 times faster[/li]
[li]optional Ethernet interface for sending/receiving OSC packets (or MIDI events embedded into OSC packets)[/li]
[li]every parameter can be modified in realtime w/o affecting the sequencer timings[/li]
[li]one sequencer pattern consists of 4 independent tracks[/li]
[li]four patterns can be played at the same time -> makes 16 tracks[/li]
[li]each track consists of up to 16 layers which can be assigned to various parameters (e.g. Note/Velcity/Gatelength/Chords/CC/PitchBender/Delay/Probability/Roll)[/li]
[li]Transpose and Arpeggiator function[/li]
[li]Force-to-Scale function with 166 predefined scales[/li]
[li]Track directions: Forward/Backward/PingPong/Pendulum/Random Dir/Random Step[/li]
[li]Track direction progressive parameters (Step Forward, Jump Back, Repeat, Interval, Skip, Repeat)[/li]
[li]free adjustable clock divider for each track. Supported timebases 1…256, normal and tripled[/li]
[li]available length for every track: 1-256 steps[/li]
[li]with 384ppqn resolution, 256th notes can be played[/li]
[li]loop point within track[/li]
[li]step events can be triggered multiple times (up to 4 times per step) with a delay value of 1-31 to realize drumrolls, ratterbeats, flams…[/li]
[li]8 trigger layers for Gate/Skip/Accent/Glide/Roll/Random Gate/Random Value/No Fx[/li]
[li]various Groove styles (shuffle/inverted shuffle/…) + customizable Groove Templates (Delay/Length/Velocity)[/li]
[li]Humanizer function (random modification of note/velocity/gatelength)[/li]
[li]Pattern Morphing, controllable in 128 steps with a Modulation Wheel[/li]
[li]Echo Fx with Repeat/Delay/Feedback/Note increment/Gatelength/Delay parameters[/li]
[li]LFO Fx with different waveforms, synchronized period length, adjustable reset point, phase, OneShot mode. Assignable to Note/Velocity/Length/CC[/li]
[li]Note Limiter Fx[/li]
[li]Manual step triggering[/li]
[li]Step and Realtime Record function[/li]
[li]Copy/Paste/Clear function[/li]
[li]Scroll and Step Move function[/li]
[li]Random and Euclidean pattern generator[/li]
[li]Undo function[/li]
[li]parameters of multiple steps can be changed relatively and absolutely with a single rotary encoder[/li]
[li]parameters of multiple tracks can be changed the same time with a single rotary encoder[/li]
[li]Tracks and parameter layers can be muted[/li]
[li]Accent/Slide/CC sequences[/li]
[li]inbuilt MIDI mixer/controller with 128 free definable mixer maps[/li]
[li]inbuilt MIDI router[/li]
[li]virtual “Loopback port” for Master/Slave tracks[/li]
[li]split function for Transposer/Arpeggiator[/li]
[li]8 optional CV outputs and gates for analog gear[/li]
[li]CV outputs can also be accessed from MIDI In (-> replaces a CV interface)[/li]
[li]64 optional 1 mS drum trigger outputs[/li]
[li]8*128 patterns are stored on SD Card[/li]
[li]128 mixer maps are stored on SD Card[/li]
[li]pattern sets can be looped and chained in song mode[/li]
[li]phrase mode which allows to switch between the 16 predefined pattern sets (for fills/breaks/chorus, etc…)[/li]
[li]pattern switching can be synchronized to the measure[/li]
[li]MIDI Remote functions[/li]
[li]2.5-300 BPM (MIDI clock master)[/li]
[li]external sync (MIDI clock slave)[/li]
[li]DIN sync output for controlling vintage sequencers[/li]
[li]works with 16x MIDI clock resolution (384 ppqn)[/li]
[li]several hardware options (e.g. a 64 Button/Duo-LED matrix)[/li]
[li]details and demo samples in the User Manual[/li]
[li]DIY ONLY!!! (commercial release neither planned, nor allowed!)[/li]
[/ul]
I’m 1/2 way through building mine! Have the wilba pcb … but considering also doing a few custom bits.
Just a tip on the Wilba control surface pcb… Make sure to solder your header pins to the back side of the pcb or you wont have room for your connections… I made this mistake and it was a pain to desolder those pins… Another mention is to socket the resistors for the led’s as you may have to change the resistors to match the brightness of the led’s…
appreciate the tip. Too many ugly experiences trying to desolder mistakes!
All nice options
How about a Fantom G??
Sold my XL-7 to help fund my MD a few years back. It had great power and flexibility. I liked the grid and live sequencing modes, not so much the step mode. Overall, too much need to read a tiny screen and way way too much use of the big knob. It was a fun sucker. I missed many features when I switched to the MD, but was more productive and more satisfied with the end product.
There’s the Genoqs Octopus and Nemo which are impressive looking units that are great for step sequencing with some great randomization and direction features. Expensive and impractical but I still think it’s cool.
The Cirklon is great, feature rich and tight as hell, but in the end, I think its display lets it down a bit. It’s a bit too small, and some of the design decisions regarding how it shows information isn’t all that great, in my opinion. I ended up selling mine because of it.
I have to say, if someone comes up with a hardware only version of the Push - that’s going to blow the other ones out of the water. The Push is so intuitive and fun to use, but unfortunately, you have to use it with Live and a computer.
I’ve spent the last year looking for the “master sequencer”, but have ended up selling them all (Maschine MK1, Sequentix Cirklon, Maschine Studio, Ableton Push), and have now just settled on using the Octatrack as the brain, and I quite enjoy it so far.
For the features you mention, for the money, some nifty tricks and great fun to use…hands down the Yamaha RM1X
Always boils down to needs and personal opinion.
I think the Yamaha QY700 has been my all time favourite with the Akai ASQ10 running a very close second on a straight up sequencing front. Always preferred the RS7000 over the RM1x.
I really something like the QY700 with 4 midi outs / CV gate outs / 64 midi channels and a configurable controller interface - some 20 odd knobs and realtime pattern switching on the fly would be my ideal in many respects.
Love the look of the Cirklon and have always wanted to try a Genoq’s Octo[pus but spent many a year with the Alesis MMT and was quite happy (well happier than I was on an Atari 1040 running Pro 24).
No experience with the RS7000, but sounds like a souped up RM1X which can only be a good thing