Pyramid seems capable of linear recording.
http://squarp.net/pyramid
Mpc 1000 is pretty efficient too. I have to check Mpc 500 for CC recording.
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MPC 1000 is a great companion. MPC live doesn’t have automation lanes standalone (unless it’s had an update recently.) You can edit cc automation in detail on MPC1k
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I just convinced myself that there is no way around a Pyramid with elektron Gear. Also 64 Tracks … 3 MIDI outs (2 DIN + 1 USB - so 48 MIDI Channels - I guess that is enough for a starter) - wish it had 2 MIDI ins as well - that’d be the bomb! Imagine the possibilities! Endless possibilites!
I really dislike the style of those… they look sooo cheap in my eyes.
Always functionality first for me. With old mpcs it’s kind of up to you to make something of it. Mine is custom all black with all upgrades, there’s some really nice ones out there. Mines like the bottom one
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if i had a choice i’d probably use pyramid over engine (i’ve had them both).
purely because its more modern overall , multiple sequence types , easy to backup , an active forum / community , can be found more easily and more cheaply , has built in cv / gate , has a screen (allowing more complex sequencing and easier to edit).
if you want filter sweeps you could of course use lfo but it has limited lfo types (or use lfo designer on OT) , but it depends if you want to sequence it yourself (… i’m guessing you want to set a few values and have it glide between them? or just record your performance.) .
also be mindful of the synth you are using , something old like matrix1000 is limited to how smooth you can alter parameters (its better with the newer firmwares though).
i’m pretty sure pyramid can do main sequences at 30 and another one with a clock multiplyer or divider if you wanted higher resolution , you can have a few tracks on the same midi channel , one used for notes and the other for midi cc (and the fact it can use definition files can help with cc labels being displayed within the sequencer )
the engine is fine , xox box style sequencer but updates are very slow , support a bit limited , they’re a little tricky to get and quite expensive if you want cv .
both devices need a lot of button combo’s to get what you want out of them , pyramid screen helps but its a bit small .
In the end i stuck with elektron sequencing (OT / Digitakt etc) , mostly for the convenience of 1 box that can make sounds and sequence + potentially sequence external gear.
at a basic level , if you are running a normal pattern at 30 , you have 1 step to put data on (cc value) so i’d suggest looking at multiple pattern speeds/multipliers / polyrhythms or whatever they’re called.
or just record a big long sample of the synth/filter sweep and drop it into a static track on the octatrack… it’ll repeat , but makes things simple and you an always use octatrack filter over the top for some extra audible changes.
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hmh, some very good input. I was just one step away from submitting my order for the Pyramid - but they disappointed me right away by showing the price without taxes … instead of 619€ it is 742€ … I think this is forbidden here in Europe.
Thanks a lot @re5et - you put up some valid points here. I mean … my problem is with MIDI tracks - I could set the BPM to something higher and then use dividers/multipliers as needed - of course!! I will try that right away! Maybe what I need is a Multiclock! 
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You can paint or draw an automation with the Pyramid for a pattern with let’s say 368 bars but at the same time it will eat up the possible events on the Pyramid.
all i can think is that until you put in your shipping address they cant display what the taxes will be.
i bought mine 2nd hand , it was in very good condition ,… i think its the sort of device people buy and look after , if I were buying again i’d buy 2nd hand … preferable the v2 hardware (better case , touch pad) … just because they’re newer and likely to be under whatever warranty they have.
look through their forum too , get a sense of how things work on it , plus there are some nice youtube vids around.
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There is one thing you should give a thought, before you buy any of the above mentioned sequencers and this would be the time resolution ppqn (pulses per quarter note, which is “events” per quarter note).
Many hardware sequencer come with a time resolution of 96 ppqn. This is less than to guarantee that a recording or replaying will replicate typical human playing stiles fluidly. A resolution of 96 ppqn may cause unwanted quantisation, which is dependig of what shall be recorded or replayed of course.
Many common DAW sequencers record/replay at higher speeds (384 - 960 ppqn or even more).
It’s important to check out, which is the minimum ppqn for your particular use case.
AFAIK:
- MPC 500 is 96 ppqn
- MPC 1000 is 96 ppq
- Pyramid is 96 ppqn
- MPC 2500 is 96 ppqn
- MPC 4000 is 960 ppqn
- MPC 5000 is 960 ppqn
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And Octatrack resolution is…
…
96 ppqn! Or 192 ppqn with 2x scale (same as Cirklon). 
Limited to 1 trig per step, of course (except with Trig Counts in microtiming menu).
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just a note.
yamaha RM1x — 480 ppqn
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Very limited ! 
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Eh OK. Maybe that’s the reason I had so much fun recording pitch bend modulations for multiple drum tracks 
I guess the workaround is to use trig LFO for smooth curves, or simply tweak by hand and record. Not perfect but that’s life
Hello Sezare56!
I’ve never understood how Elektron’s 2x scale is different than doubling the tempo, could you shed any light on this? Does this mean there is a way to achieve 192ppqn on the Squarp Pyramid as well?
best
Nick
On the original topic, this sounds like a job for the Midiphy Loopa
Doesn’t seem different to me, appart that clock remain the same. Still 64 steps per track limitation.
I can’t tell about Pyramid. @Autopoiesis maybe?
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I don’t know if it’s possible to double the Pyramid’s recording resolution when you increase its tempo scaling. I would err on the side of assuming that it’s still only operating at 96 ppqn.
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