Looking to buy a new hardware sequencer

The Lounge Other Gear
41

Iv’e been waiting since July 2018 so I give up I’ll get something else

42

I’m seriously thinking about the Akai Mpc Live or X
I don’t have any modular gear BUT I may have to invest in future. Been watching some videos lately and I feel it could suit my needs. Had the OT v1 it was great but I need a poly sequencer

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43

I think I would have done the same. That’s the way.
In this case the Squid remind me the use I made with two other sequencers. I have used the Zillion with the Pyramid. The former brings its ability to generate pattern and paradigms of it and them Pyramid record and rearrange the whole plus it’s orchestral conductor ability.
I really like play with differents sequencers. That’s my kind of modular sequencer set. Real fun to mix/add/interract several sequencers. For me, that’s the real sens of electronic music.

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44

Thanks to have showed this little thing.
Ilovit:heart_eyes:
Makes me think to the Cirklon.
Any users here ?

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45

Absolutely!!! I have twelve hardware sequencers half are eurorack. I mix and match everything and each sequencer gives me a different feel.

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46

yes, I use the midibox and its absolutely stunning :slight_smile:

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47

Me too, I built a V4 a while back. Swapped in yellow OLED displays to match the current Elektron lineup.

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48

The same is true for the DT too. It completely sucks as a poly sequencer because all notes have to start at the same time / have the same velocity and don’t forget it doesn’t record mod wheel, cc etc.

I got a Pyramid to address these shortcomings and I really like it. It does have a max of 10000 events per song which could be a problem if you use a lot of cc, pitch bend etc

49

I’ve been eyeballing the Pyramid for quite some time. I really want to give it a try. How easy is it to move notes around, like micro timing edits?

50

I’ve been on wait list for Cirk for over a year. But it’s the only HW seq i’d spend a penny on at this point!

51

Any sexy videos out there on YT to pump up some gas for Cirklon?

52

need vids. its been a long wait an will prob be another year lol

53

I cant recommend the pyramid anymore. I used to be a happy owner, but it has its shortcomings.

The worst thing is that it lags sometimes, like the latest fw is packed with more than the processor can handle… But even in relatively simple arrangements I mostly create and rely on the pyramid lagged…

Even the kilpatrick carbon is a much simpler but way better sequencer. This one filled the gap until I had the Midibox which is really easy to use and which does a really solid job.

Just my 2c

54

Did you build your own MIDIbox? If so what’s the difficulty level and how long did it take you?

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55

Nope, did not build it myself, was lucky to find someone who did it for me…

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56

I don’t know much about the MIDIbox. I’ll have to do some research. I like all the i/o. Looks like a Cirklon.

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57

http://www.ucapps.de/index.html?page=midibox_seq.html

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58

What’s the build like? How long did it take?

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59

Having used MIDI sequencers since the 80s…I’ll say it really comes down to what you want to do and what you are OK with not being able to do. The market is so rich and laden with products that it’s easy to get stuck in “Feature FOMO” and endless switching platforms and waiting for NAMM, Messe, and SuperBooth…but honestly, finding a product that gets you 80% there will be sufficient and will YIELD MORE as you develop muscle-memory with it.

I used a Yamaha RS7000 for 10+ years because:

  1. True polyphonic sequencing
  2. Pattern switching quantized to your clock
  3. No 4-bar length limit!!
  4. 2 discrete MIDI outs
  5. Real-time MIDI effects are very useful live
  6. disk-based storage (good for backup)

I bought a Squarp Pyramid a few years back to replace it, and honestly, the screen is just too damned small for me…the MIDI effects are killer, but pattern switching the way I and many people want to handle it is too clunky.

I love Octatrack, but for all those delicious polyphonic sound sources, you’re hacking your legs off at the knees, MIDI-wise.

Now, Toraiz Squid, the current limitations are something to seriously consider, specifically the 4-bar length limitation, lack of real time recording of mod and pitch info, and the effects occurring on a single track at a time…
But the strenghts, oh my, they are REAL.

  1. Great build quality. It’s light, but durable.
  2. THE INTERACTIVITY with your sequence data is a game-changer for hardware. So so so cool, and FUN, and seriously M U S I C A L
  3. Two discrete MIDI outs, USB MIDI out, 2 DIN ports (in/out selectable on one), analog 1/8" sync IN and OUT, 2 discrete channels of CV+GATE out!
  4. brain-dead EASY drag and drop MIDI file management over USB. Totally permeable with your DAW…so handy.
  5. New firmware update on the way
  6. Value for money is nutso-pants. Whatever you end-up using, you should drive at least one or two of your synths or drum machines with it. It’s a JOY machine.
    (Disclaimer: I am employed by Pioneer to demo the SQUID, because frankly, I want more people to discover this bundle of fun and power)
4 Likes
60

you just should get the OP-Z it covers all your needs and if you think meh there’s no midi port, check this out: