![]() once you understand what a sequencer does and how it works, you'll be able to use any sequencer in the market, both hardware and soft. but don't worry if you don't have this exact brand. To understand what a sequencer does, we are going to use the example of a hardware sequencer such as, say, the Arturai Beatstep Pro (or Keystep). I – for what it's worth – really enjoy a very basic step sequencer like you can find in most hardware synths. there are many different types of sequencers - more on that later. If you're really interested in the idea of sequencing but not sure that you need to invest in a standalone sequencer, many modern synths and keyboards have sequencers of varying degrees of sophistication builtin.Īnd. It's safe to say that most DAWs today are really mature MIDI sequencing programs each with their own techniques. The techniques and methodology gets a lot more complicated from there but this is the basic idea - it's like a note recorder. The best sequencer you have available to you is almost certainly your DAW. You play some notes (the sequencer is listening), it records everything that you are playing, and spits it back out just like you played it. What is a Sequencer?Ī MIDI sequencer is a recorder and looper for the notes that you play. I'm planning on delving deeper into this topic in later posts, subscribe to the newsletter to keep tabs on when I put up a follow up to this article, if you haven't already. We are going to look at what is a music sequencer, and what it does, the different types of sequencers, and a few other basic concepts around sequencing. But I like it because there's a lot of really cool things you can do with it. The sequencer offers a maximum of eight polyphonic notes per step, and up to 64 steps.īut, with its ability to “zoom in” to a track by increasing its resolution, you can get up to 512 steps.Įach of its eight tracks can contain eight sequences, eight effects, and three automation parameters– modulation, pitch bend, and aftertouch.įor the eurorack user who wants to add sequencing to their setup, the Hermod is a definite go-to.Today I want to take a look at the wide world of sequencers. The Hermod is an excellent modular brain that can be a lot of things beyond just a sequencer.įor example, it can do MIDI to CV, multi LFO, or clock dividing. This works well for the eurorack set up since you’ll mostly be using patch cables to trigger other elements in your box. With Hermod you get eight tracks to you get eight tracks with CV and GATE triggering. The Hermod is purely designed for eurorack applications, you can tell by its design that it’s meant to sit in a modular system. The second Squarp offering on this list (they only make sequencers) is the Hermod. While it won’t work very well for triggering percussion, as a brain for creating melodic synthesizer patterns this is an incredibly useful and inspiring tool. The NDLR is such a cool way to sequence melodic synthesizers and create chord patterns, arpeggiation patterns, and compositions. Patterns can be up to 16 notes long, and rhythms can be up to 32 steps long, including ties and rests. Whether you want to play a drone, rhythmic or arpeggiated chord pattern you will get a lot of control over the chord types, scale types, and pattern types you want to use. It’s incredible how much control NDLR has over chord triggering and sequencing, especially because you can control up to four different synthesizers. This sequencer is a very smart arpeggiator that works like a sequencer in that it takes you chord inputs, and converts them into sequenced MIDI notes.īut the buttons on the NDLR control the chord degrees you want to use for your sequence, so you can sequence both rhythms and chords. The NDLR doesn’t work like any other sequencer on this list. This makes the Octatrack MkII incredibly versatile for live performance.Ĭonsidering the amount of functionality and creative flexibility you get out of the Octatrack, it’s worth its higher price tag. ![]() One of the most dynamic parts of the Octatrack is its scene crossfader that allows you to seamlessly blend between track sequences. When it comes to sequencing you get eight audio tracks and eight midi tracks, with each having their own 64 step pattern.Įach track can play for its own length, in its own time signature, and you can set up dedicated trigger conditions and parameter locks. ![]() ![]() There’s really too many features to list. The Octatrack can be a lot of things– it’s a sampler, sequencer, a DJ tool, and so much more. While it has many similarities, the MkII comes with some important updates. The Octatrack MkII is Elektron’s most recent update its ten-year-old Octatrack predecessor.
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