I don’t have any experience with either for sequencing, so I thought I would reach out to the more knowledgeable of the group for info about this. All I know about the MPC is that the structure of the music is in complete whimsical control. Near unlimited # of bars and no set structure for time signature. Anybody got other comparisons for sequencing? I’ve thought up to now the MPC would be the best hands down. Could be wrong
They are different concepts.
The MPC is a very traditional sequencer for playing in parts live, editing in piano roll, quick edit functions - like a DAW in a box. Its mostly focused on the standard linear sequencer model. I think the newest version is adding pattern-based stuff via clips kinda like Ableton, but from what Ive seen its still an extremely basic implementation of that right now. They said they will keep updating - but you know how that is… sometimes its very true, sometimes its very not true.
The Pyramid is much more experimental - its more about twisting knobs and doing random operations that you cant predict the outcome beforehand. Its a bit like the idea of elektron probability triggers, if you took that idea and expanded the possibilities x100. It has all kinds of algorithmic operations and weirdo manipulations you can do to the notes in the sequencer as its playing and so forth. Very non-traditional type of concept - very cerebral and tweaky and nerdy - its much less focused on traditional live playing.
2 Likes
Interesting…VERY interesting. Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it!
+1 for algorithmic operations and weirdo manipulations
Nicely put. I want a Pyramid so bad, maybe one day.
2 Likes
You wanna go for the Pyramid. The MPC is cool and sort of the father of linear sequencing in hardware, but it’s not like the Pyramid can’t do all that. Technically, it’s limited to around 384 bars or something, but dude, your modular epos or whatever you plan to cook, will have to live with that.
The Pyramid was even on its launch, a box full of unique and clever tricks, and from the constant stream of updates, the developers just don’t seem to know when to quit. When I had one, I hooked it up to a Volca Sample and managed to get so much crazy stuff out of it that I figured, if this isn’t sequencing for the ages, I don’t know what is.
I’m sure the new MPCs are pretty great. Hard to see someone being disappointed with them, if they’re looking to move away from their computers (though the irony is, those big screens and their touchy interfaces gets you closer to that experience anyway, than you might want to accept). But like all hardware, I think the Pyramid will inspire you to do different things, stuff you couldn’t come up with even theoretically, just because the way it’s designed. It’s like the Octatrack in that regard. It’ll take you places you didn’t know existed.
I think the MPC will take you away from places you don’t want to be in anymore, back to something familiar yet updated, but won’t lead you to those unexplored frontiers that easily. Obviously, there’s the Mea Culpa of not having tried one of the modern ones yet, so I’m just speculating.
3 Likes
is it not too much fumbling around with the pyramid?
from the videos I get the impression it is a menu diving excess…
Ok, I use the octatrack but the OT seems way more straight forward…
Am I getting it wrong?
I got that impression, myself from their “quick start” video. And the way the guy plugged in the bass line seemed like a hassle.
a bit like a hell of a lot button presses before Ithere is a result…
I really would like to like the pyramid but that scares me off…
Thank you! The Pyramid sounds awesome, no doubt. I’m still leaning very heavily towards the MPC due to wanting to assemble tracks in a more concentrated and purposeful manner(my composition abilities are downright sloppy these days).
But I will DEFINITELY have to investigate the Pyramid at some point in the future
1 Like
I am afraid, me too 
1 Like
It’s not as messy as it seems, and certainly not messy enough to shy away from it.
But it’s not exactly a Circuit either, about the least messiest piece I’ve come across.
Some patience required, I suppose.
As others suggest the Pyramid is probably the way forward for most electronic, experimental etc etc but it does get some taking used to.
I owned one briefly and it was a lot of fun to use albeit a little tricky at times.
May I suggest the mighty OT? I am on a waiting list for a Cirklon and until that arrives (I cant wait!), the OT is more than capable of midi duties.
Way I see it, MPC is more like the OT in terms of offering a lot more besides sequencing.
If you are looking for easy to set up plug and play straight up instant gratification, then check this badboy out:
http://www.manikin-electronic.com/en/products_schrittmacher.html
I have the Pyramid and it can do great things in Live performance mode. Especially if you use its harmoniser, chord modes. When you start mixing this with the arp on the virus you can get some real interesting stuff. Not always experimental but always musical.
I wouldn’t want to start editing recorded notes too much though, i think that’s where it falls down a bit. Leave that to a daw.
It’s a very clever box and getting more so with each update. Got to spend the time on it though.
There is another sequencer which is very similar to the kind of experimental profile of the Pyramid, and in fact seems a bit more “weird” in terms of how you interact with it and the results.
In particular it employs a more “visual” style in terms of working with the grids/notes and so forth.
http://www.kilpatrickaudio.com/?p=carbon
1 Like
I’ve owned the OT, MPC1000 with JJOS2XL, and currently use the Pyramid, and the Pyramid beats the others by a country mile. It’s the most intuitive sequencer I’ve ever used, and virtually limitless. MPC sequencing was fairly straightforward IMO, but I was not a fan of the file system (the new ones may be better in this regard, of course)…the OT was pretty rad, but I still found myself trying to figure out all sorts of workarounds to do things I wanted. To me, the Pyramid takes the best parts of sequencing with the OT, MPC, and Ableton Live and combines them into a brilliant piece of hardware.
With the Pyramid, I find that pretty much any idea I have I can do with ease. I haven’t even looked at the manual since I got it because I’ve just found it to be so intuitive, and it has all sorts of sequencing tricks that inspire me…feels more like a collaborator than just a piece of gear. If you’re thinking about it, get one, and if it isn’t for you you can probably sell it for little loss.
6 Likes
IMO it comes down to … whether you want
- a step-sequencer, (EDIT: “which would be the Pyramid” seems to be wrong according to the reply of @Accent, the Pyramid seems to have linear sequencing too) , or
- a linear sequencer, which can be step-sequenced too and this would be a MPC like machine
It’s a complete different way of work flow. A linear sequencer provides for finer time resolution and allows recording of more events per quarter note, if compared to many step-sequencers. Often linear sequencers allow very long sequences, step sequencers often limit a sequence to 16,32,64, sometimes 128 steps.
Both have advantages and it really comes down to the music style and how much “human groove” is demanded. The more Techno … the more step-sequencing … the more groovy … the more linear sequencing is suited.
If you go for a MPC you can have both, because the MPC allows quantisation, which can be applied at recording or after. Using this mode is almost like working with any step-sequencer, at least for the resulting sequence. The only difference is that’s never this XOX-box like interface and programming work flow.
The difference is the reason that I have and work with both types … depending what seems to suit me best 
2 Likes
You need to take another look at the Pyramid, because it is both a linear sequencer and step/pattern sequencer. You have a limit of 384 bars with unlimited notes, and you can go way off grid or quantize within an inch of your life. As far as pure sequencing goes, I can’t think of a single advantage the MPC has over the Pyramid.
1 Like
How are different time signatures on the pyramid?
Beautiful. Alright! I might have to look into a pyramid, then!