So . . . as always, if this is posted somewhere else with pertinent answers, call me lazy and point me there. Thanks in advance.
I’m waiting patiently for the awesome Squarp sequencer (http://squarp.net/) to use with my OT, A4, and Prophet 12 setup, but unfortunately us American pigdogs aren’t going to get it on our shores until:
A) Q4 2015
or
B) Someone in the EU gets their hands on one, dislikes it, and is willing to sell and ship it to my dumbass.
B is not a scenario I’m holding my breath for.
In the meantime, can any of you recommend a decent hardware sequencer that will do some of the same things?
I don’t need something crazy expensive like a Cirklon, just something that will allow me to create linear performances (IE longer than 8-16 bars) that don’t involve chains or me having to wrestle with the OT for greater polyphony with my P12.
Preferably something that will do some sort of CC message recording as well, but even that’s not a dealbreaker at this point.
I’ve been using Genome on my iPad with a iConnectivity 4+, which works okay, but I’d really like the peace of mind of using something with a stronger clock/sync that doesn’t require a lot of playing around with latency compensation settings, etc.
I refuse to use a computer for sequencing and it makes my life kind of hard. #firstworldproblems
Thanks for the response . . . . whoah.
That may be way too big for my needs.
I’m thinking a tiny guy like the Roland MC-50 or Yamaha QY-(X) . . .
That looks bigger than any other piece of gear I own.
If your a DIY’r Midibox SEQV4 is up there with the Cirklon and it is open source… I built one and love it… You can mix in new tracks without having to stop the sequencer which is a bonus…
The Midibox looks sweet; I successfully built one of the first lot of Shruthi models, so I may be able to pull it off.
Is it a difficult build?
How much was yours to build total in USD?
Is there a polyphony limit per track?
About how long a sequence, time-wise, can you get per track?
I’m assuming at 256 steps at, say, 120 bpm would be around a minute, if I’m reading right?
That might be just the ticket.
Is it a difficult build? - If you build the basic unit w/o the cv/gate module it is fairly easy and get the front panel from JulianF on the midibox forum… I made my own case from aluminum it was a bit of work but it turned out well…
How much was yours to build total in USD? - I figure I put about $600-700 candian into it…
Is there a polyphony limit per track? - Not really there all kinds of chords you can use that are pre programmed… If you want to make your own it is limited by track length… 256 step - 4 note poly 128 step - 8 note 64 step - 16
also note this can be combined with cc as well… About how long a sequence, time-wise, can you get per track?
Anywhere form 1 step to 256… Longer the length less cc and note
Best to read the manual…
I wanted a Cirklon but just couldn’t justify the cash and having built a StereoSID figured the SEQV4 couldn’t be any harder to build…
Thanks for the in depth info.
Damn, if I can pull of the build this would save me a good bit of cash.
I may just have to dust off the old soldering gear.
It’s either that or buy an old ass Roland sequencer.
The Cirklon is bit too expensive for what it does.
Forgot to mention… I also had to source a expensive power supply as I installed the cv/gate board… If you opt out from that it will power with the USB connection 5v…
Yeah, I’ve been thinking about maybe getting an MPC just to use JJOS again.
I love the stuff that can do.
Having an extra rhythm track wouldn’t hurt either.
Unfortunately, the Pyramid’s “Live” mode is also only 64-steps, so that too is off the table.
At this point it looks like Cirklon or using an Innerclock unit with a computer sequencer.
Just the thought of using a computer bums me out.
All these propositions are good IMHO, with their limitation, but if you look to have a answer to your wish setup, you’ll have to wait until you get a Pyramid or an Engine (Social Entropy).
You want a standalone sequencer that permit you to create on the fly, with multitrack abilities and more than 4 bars. The all with miscellaneous functions. This sequencer will permit you to construct complete live sessions on wich you’ll be hable to work the day after and later if you want (thanks to the memory). A kind of abletonish hardware midi full option.
I really understand that. I’m looking desesperatly for this piece of gear.
The best advise I can give you is wait few months and you will have it, or near to it. Save your cash and prepare the venue of your sequencer with your actual setup. A right and free option is to use momentarily your song mod builtin capacity (on Elektron gear).
I practice it for few weeks and it usefully permit me to wait and keep works from sessions.
After heavy consideration and reading I’ve decided to go with an MPC1000 with JJ OS2XL.
If it’s good enough for Autechre, right?
Mainly, it wins due to it having pads to make rhythms and linear sequencing, which is what I’m really looking for to begin with.
I can run the P12 and A4 through the Octatrack and the MPC through the A4 and add some awesome analog filters to it and record into the OT.
All of those will run MIDI through my Iconnectivity 4+, easy peasy.
Quick off-†opic question: does anyone know if the MPC1000 with JJOS does chromatic polyphony with samples ala rackmounted Akai/EMU samplers.
Good choice. I’m still very much a n00b with it, but I’m finding the MPC 1000 with JJOS2XL is a very nice compliment to my rig and does things I cannot do with the OT or MDUW.
RE: Chromatic polyphony-I believe it does, based on a quick Google search, but I’m not far along with the machine to have tested it myself.
Hi there. I’m currently away from my OT and it’s being used by my GF. Can you expand on what the 1000 with JJOS can do that the two Elektron boxes cannot??
