So I sold the last piece of gear in my studio that had a step sequencer a while ago and I totally didn’t realize how much I would miss having a good step sequencer. I do have some things that kind of have a step sequencer (MPC Live II and S2400 and sp404 mkII), but it is not their main focus and it is not working for me. So I am looking for a dedicated step sequencer (for example a cirklon would be perfect, so if anyone has one for sale send me a PM please 
) or a piece of gear where the step sequencer is a main feature (I’ve been thinking about an octatrack for forever but haven’t ever pulled the trigger). What are your favorites?
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If I were to start a Studio, I would strongly consider the Hapax. Never tried it but it looks like the real deal.
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Ableton is tight
Has to be a physical hardware step sequencer that I can use without a daw.
I can recommend the Zaquencer (custom firmware for BCR2000). Cheap option with many features + lots of fun. 4 tracks x 32 steps with 16 x 10 (I think) patterns that store on the unit. Got a handy drum mode too for multi-channel drum sequencing, but I use it for melodic part generation and inspiration. https://zaqaudio.com/
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obviously a digigodkt
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Squarp Hapax is pretty dope
Digitakt is good option. They’re selling for a good price second hand and you get an added bonus of 8 more sample tracks. The Digitakt is probably my favorite midi sequencer from Elektron.
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The OP-Z is the best one I have used.
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Korg SQ64 is pretty dope, it has quite a lot of interesting functions like trig conditions, slides, ratchets, direction etc.
Toraiz Squid also looks very interesting, with some great features, never tried one though.
Squarp pyramid is very nice, it has a lot of cool midi fx and is highly efficient to use.
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Pyramid
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I’d recommend the DirtyWave M8 as a standalone sequencer.
I had no idea it was this useful, in terms of slimming down the total bulk of gear, until I got one and started using it the same way I use the OT - as a general MIDI Sequencer.
The mini synth engines inside are also nice, since you can program in a little riff, then switch over to MIDI Mode and trigger an actual synth with the same sequence.
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Personally, I use a Digitakt, Digitone, and a Circuit Rhythm.
If all I wanted to do was sequence notes, I prefer the Circuit. Just having my notes and my steps on the same page makes things a lot easier. There’s also the fact that the patterns for each track are independent from one another, which would allow you some more flexibility when you’re controlling multiple instruments.
The Circuit Rhythm isn’t really made to be a MIDI sequencer though. So I would take a look at the Launchpad Pro mk3 or the Circuit Tracks.
Novation’s way of handling parameter locks is kind of clunky though. And I’m not sure you can even do them over MIDI. (On the Rhythm, you can only send them over USB.)
If you want to do more stuff with ccs then I’d recommend the Digitakt of the Digitone. The Digitone is better suited for a lot of melodic stuff just because you have scales and can transpose sequences. The way you enter notes and chords is also a lot faster. And you get 8 note polyphony as opposed to 4. But that comes at the expense of having only 4 MIDI tracks to the Digitakt’s 8. Either way you can send ccs and other automation like channel aftertouch and program changes on a per step basis.
All that being said, I would take a look at the Launchpad Pro first just because it’s the cheapest option that might be able to do what you want.
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i have to agree…
great choice
The Pioneer DJ Toraiz SQUID is a good option, if song mode is not a requirement.
The step sequencing workflow is straight forward, and includes lots of ways to mangle the recorded tracks afterwards. New units are still available on the market, but do not expect further updates.
Cirklon for me
Yes, Novation is amazing! Just bought a Launchkey for my Analog Four.
I assign the knobs in the Components software to the appropiate CCs and I then have up to 8 knobs to change any paramter of each Trig. Those Trigs can also be copied and pasted with just two fingers.
Tried with DFAM, Volcas, …
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…if ot is on ur mind for so long, i’d say give it a try…finaleeee…
a used mk1 can be urs for 5 to 6hundred bux…and speaks stepsequencer full on…
in midi as in all kinds of audio mangling…
plus audio hub,
plus 8 dj decks,
plus song arranger,
plocking all over…
the list is endless…
after years and years with all the other options out there, that was my very first contact with the oldschool hw tracker meets steppersequencerconcept…and it will be my last one…
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I think probability is pretty important for me, i would ask myself the question which feature is most important, for you. I realized that polymeter is already on place two so i would go from there.
I use Abelton currently, and use the newly buildin tools when not using elektron stuff. (i record often one shots from syntakt to avoid dealing with jitter etc.) Microtiming is probably also very important for me, as i shift transients around to avoid clipping with a compressor etc…) Octatrack probability menu is hidden behind a button combo, its good to have it, but it irritates me here and there.) I would love to try the hapax.
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I currently have these for sequencing, yes they’re modular but with fab features.
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