What would be the next level for Elektron sequencer?

Elektron Gear
#1

While I’m all hyped about the new Syntakt, I can’t help but feel that the one thing that’s getting behind over time in Elektron gear is the sequencer.

I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but having an OP-Z it really feels that in some aspects it’s more practical and advanced than the sequencers I have in my DT/DN (and soon ST) which is kind of frustrating. As for me Elektron gear is primarily targeted at live performances, so sequencer improvements is where the most value could be added and make a huge difference for existing and future devices.

What would be your wishlist of sequencer improvements for Elektron devices?

Here’s mine:

  • P-lock slides, cause recorded filter sweeps sometimes sounds worse than my old Electribes
  • Midi retrigs (I can’t seriously see a good reason for the lack of this!)
  • Step components: hands down the best feature of the OP-Z, though it’s only 16 steps with steps components it takes it to a whole another level
  • Mute groups: the feature I use the most on the OP-Z with steps components, so convenient for live performance!
  • Performance FX (aka midi FX): instant fun and endless source of happy accidents on the OP-Z, can it can even be played/recorded per-track or globally. To be honest this is more appealing than the new 4 mods of the ST
  • Ability to save pattern chains. I don’t particularly have strong feelings against the lack of song mode, but just being able to save pattern chains would definitely be handy.
  • Temporary FX: on the OPZ, using shift + know allows you to temporarily affect the current track, but as soon as you release shift it revert back to the original value. This is very useful during performances!
  • Reverse and ping-pong play mode for track sequences
  • Random sequence generation
13 Likes
Dataline's Syntakt Experience
#2

I’d love if they expanded the note repeat function into a euclidian pattern generator. You really only need a couple more parameters and it would open the sequencer up so much.

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#3

Already a good discussion about this here:

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#4

I could write a book on it - trig conditions and step components were both feature suggestions I sent in many years ago, before they appeared on any device.

But I sort of made peace with the fact that since most of these ideas are rarely used they probably are not practical to implement, and so a waste of time writing them out.

Your list is pretty good, like a best of current features from a variety of other products, which to be fair should be required reading for sequencer designers nowadays.

But I guess the balance is implementing features that will be actually used VS fitting them into the design of the UI VS cost and time to implement VS realtime operating system resources etc etc.

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#5

…we tend to forget how complex and flexible but still rock solid this sequencer really is…
and how deep it’s implemented in the overall function set up…

if u separate the sequencer, there’s lot of things u can imagine what it also and else could do…sure…but it’s the essential spine of all the structure…so every little further option has to relate in realtime with all thats already given standards…and sure u can pick some superadvanced other sequencer concepts for comparison, but those do not offer all the rest of what’s already common realtime sense…

forward backward rows alone is already an easy idea in theory…but once u realize what that would mean if u go all the way down the realtime line, it would create so many problems with the other internal structure options…puh…
i really don’t ask for more sequencer trix here…i still remember, what it felt like when i did my first plockings, first individual track lenght, first sound lockings…
and what it means to be able to rely on this, no matter what i do…

and to ask for any eucledian options shows lack of imagination…since individual track length and different trig placing leads to such results…
many of these improvement whishes are already possible, if u only wrap ur head around of what’s already in front of u…
and that’s the other big point to think of…this sequencer is already pretty advanced and not that easy to unlock it’s truu potential in first place…
and for some common ground, u’ll need to stay relateable…
for hyper advancements there’s enough niche specialists out there to find…
while elektron machines are already way too deep for some quite majority…

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#6

lol, Songs?

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#7

Not having an OP-Z I’m unsure what this is. Can you elaborate?

#8

On every step (trig) of the OP-Z, you can set up one or more steps components that will change its behavior:

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For example multiply is a retrig, ramp will change the note played every time the step is played, portamento will add a slide (TB303 like), jump will jump into another point in the sequence, etc.
The most interesting part are the 3 spark components at the end:

  • the trigger spark is a bit like trig condition, but only for the note part of the step (like every 1:4 or the first 3 of 4 plays, of the last 1 of 4 plays etc)
  • the component spark is like trig condition but only the step components: meaning I can multiply (retrig) 1:2 etc, very powerful!
  • the parameter spark is like trig condition but for the P-locks only: again very powerful!

At first when I got the OP-Z I was mad to only have 16 steps, but then when I learned to use the step components I was :exploding_head:
With only a few of them you can make these 16 steps create more variety than a 128 steps sequence, and it’s just not possible to not have happy accidents when playing with them.

5 Likes
#9

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Was always intrigued by the OP-Z. Didn’t know the sequencer was so flexible.

#10

This. The Digis and the Syntakt lack this, which is a shame really. You can program the LFOs to get an approximation, but it’s not as immediate as switching the trigs to slide on the elektron flagships.

#11

A4 really covers a lot of sequencer features I would like to see again, I especially like that they are broken into different layers so going in and muting specific trigs doesn’t mess with they rest of your pattern. I think some eurorack like features would be really cool, basically what Pams can do with in an elektron box would be really really wild, like being able to quantize an LFO to a scale and trigger/mess with it from logic based on what something else is doing.

2 Likes
#12

Song mode, pattern chains, and better sequencing control of external polyphonic synths. Different units do this to various degrees but sometimes I feel like Elektron is using the Roland model of “hold back on the good stuff in cheap releases.”

#13

I think tables would be amazing. They’re like a tiny sequencer for each track, that you dedicate to JUST doing parameter locks.

I’m so addicted to them on the M8. You can use them for anything from arpeggiators to flexible envelopes and LFOs to selecting chord inversions for a track. Just so fun to use.

1 Like
#14

Yeah, it’s funny how they never appeared on Elektron boxes as the Elektron Sequencer is clearly based on how tracker worked. It’s not that p-locks are something completely new, it’s just Elektrons way to implement Tracker FX Lanes in their vertical sequencer UI.

#15

True. Sadly even within the realm of Trackers it feels like tables are exclusively an LSDj/Piggy/M8 ‘thing’.

I’ve tried finding a Renoise add-on that adds tables but nothing came up :sad:

#16

Have not really used trackers between Amiga times and M8 today :slight_smile:

#17

For me polyphonic sequencing for the internal sequencer would be on top of my wishlist. Even for drum sequencing this would already open up quite some possibilities not to mention melodic stuff.

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#18

The song mode from 20 years ago would be next level. :sweat_smile:

#19

The jitter code from Mutable Marbles, different sequencer modes (pingpong, backwards, random etc), modulatable

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#20

This would be fantastic for live performances. It’s the main feature that occasionally makes me want to get a Toraiz Squid.

3 Likes