I’m looking for something with interesting features that breathes unique life into sequences. What else is out there?
Zaquencer is appealing to me, as it provides a couple CC#s per track for “p-locks”, chords, scales, some fun running modes.
Future Retro Zillion with its various algorithms seems to be another good contender.
On the software end, I’ve been using “Rozzer” from M4L and Live’s midi scale plugin to generate some unique melodic sequences. There are a couple other M4L sequencers that mimic famous eurorack sequencers that I’m going to try out. And for iPad the Xynthesizr’s lifeforms options are wonderful.
But is there anything in the hardware, MIDI, non-Eurorack realm that can do a little bit of everything ?
The Squarp Pyramid looks to be pretty incredible and has all kinds of features including p locks and midi FX. It looks like the most comprehensive sequencer out there besides the Cirklon. Sold out for the minute but I’ve heard they will be taking more orders soon.
Beatstep Pro and the Social Entropy Engine also look servicable but they don’t p lock midi data like the Squarp does.
Have you checked out some of the DIY boxes available? The big daddy is the midibox seq v4, but it’s quite complex and expensive… I prefer the look of the midisizer midialf, it only has 8 steps but stores several patterns and has lots of interesting features for modifying the sequence on the fly like probability, step jumps, etc… Can also send CCs and LFOs and has a CV addon. There aren’t many videos out there but this one is my fav: http://youtu.be/SK3cQTO_m9Y
I have a cirklon, and love it but if I was looking to buy now I’d look into the squarp as well. Both seem great in their own ways, Cirklon is great if you like to play in parts (CK patterns) want to program lots of algorithmic variety into your step sequences, have lots of gear you want to integrate (lots of MIDI I/O, CV, Trigger Interface).
What I recall looking really interesting in the Squarp is the chord based step sequencing, and MIDI plugins. There are feature requests to add some of that to the Cirklon, but currently it’s strengths are more in line with what I listed above.
Both sequencers seem awesome in their own way, I love the Cirklon and have more gear than I could control with just the Squarp anyway so I’m not having all that much fomo.
Btw, there are a bunch of cool sequencers for iPad as well, including this brand new one that I just bought, and is super fun:
Have a look at Social Entropy’s brand new Engine sequencer (released on Friday)! It has quite a few cool features that I wish Elektron would implement in their OSes. The workflow on it seems to be super efficient and powerful, and it is not relying on a screen.
R7, the Squarp Pyramid looks ideal on paper but I haven’t seen enough to know it is what I am looking for. I hope US availability comes soon.
Anfim, I don’t typically look into the DIY world as I have a health condition that gives my hands tremors. I tried DIY in the past but always screwed things up with my shaky and sloppy soldering.
ZazRemark, The Criklon looks wonderful but is a bit out of my price range.
I may have to rely on the iPad here, . ModStep looks wonderful but is still in Beta. The Fugue Machine is also appealing but I’d like to see it updated to allow for the playheads to send on independent MIDI channels.
Some probability features atop the Monomachine sequencer is really what I am looking for.
There are lots of builders who would do one for a small fee! Sorry to hear about your hands. To be honest it seems like neither of my suggestions truly fits what you’re looking for though… Probably a good plan to stick with computers until something clear emerges. Also eagerly awaiting modstep. Check put Patterning too, very nice app and I believe it does step probability.