I’m in a search for the multitrack midi/audio/sampling sequencer to sequence & record several synths and play it at once for live use. I know that doing this with softwares/daw is easier, but i’m taking my chances and trying not to get my laptop involved in live on the stage. I have my MMT-8 on it’s way from ebay that I don’t quite know yet of how it works exactly, but I know that it’s only taking midi data off keyboards only to be recorded to it’s 8-tracks, and also dumping & retrieving saved data via tape or bulk sysex would be a bummer.
I’m quite new to this things, which the midi stuff still confuses me, whether about the connections, etc.. I need some suggestions for a modern multitrack sequencers which able to record midi data ALSO audio, step & realtime, with at least 8 tracks (preferably 16 or more), with korg electribes/groovebox’s muting-style, and has the capability of saving the data via sd card.
Thanks!
I was considering one of the Korgs but for the life of me, I couldn’t get a straight answer as to whether or not they were good at sequencing external Midi sources. Seemed very much to be a beep box for sequencing it’s own sounds (and yes, one of the models samples) but that was about it.
Years ago, I had a Roland MSQ-100 which was a very early midi sequencer. It was non-nonsense and did the (simple) job. If you ONLY have a Midi requirement and no requirement CV, 1/2 the battle is over.
The AKAI products are really good but are high end and very much sought after so even used, they are expensive. The MFB-Step 64 http://www.mfberlin.de/Produkte/Musikelektronik/MFB-STEP64/MFB-STEP64_e/mfb-step64_e.html looks to be a great low cost solution for CV and Midi. I really like the looks of the Doepfer MAQ 16/3 http://www.doepfer.de/maq_e.htm , largely because of it’s CV capability. If you really just want a 32 step sequence or something repetitive, then the MFB or even the Alesis you are buying will do the trick. If you want to sequence entire songs with editing capabilities, something more full featured is likely in order but you get to the point where a dedicated Software application is preferred.
Having said this, there are likely a few dozen options produced in the late 80’s and 90’s that you can scoop up once you have all of your requirements together.
High End dedicated sequencers
Sequentix Cirklon (soon to be released)
Genoq Nemo or Octopus
A lot of the more budget solutions will also include a synth or sampler in addition to the sequencer
E-mu Command Station (XL-7, MP-7, and PX-7)
Akai MPC family
Yamaha RS-7000
The only one of these I have experience with is the command station. It has a very powerful sequencer. It will record and send CCs for knob tweaks. It has three sequencing modes: realtime, grid, and step. Two midi outs. 16 tracks with the ability to replace a track with any other track from a different sequence. The only thing so far that I’ve tried to get it to do that it can’t is run multiple sequences of different lengths. It also includes a nice synth engine.
That’s interesting, what are the differences between those 3 models? I’ve seen these on the web but didn’t really care about it 'cos many of the demos are just showing off the hip hop beat making, i thought it was like another mpc stuffs..
Actually, my electribe esx-1 is good enough to sequence my synthesizers (too bad, it lacks of tracks), but I’m looking for a more dedicated sequencer.
Hey that Sequentix Cirklon looks right, let’s wait and see what’s gonna happen.
Also there’s one called Europa, check this out
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~concuss/concussor/europa.htm
I’ll just wait and see of some reviews of the future users on those new stuffs, as for now .. I’ll keep searching for the current & old sequencers.
Any other inputs?
Thanks!
The hardware and sequencer of all three models are exactly the only diference is the color and the rom that the unit shipped with. XL-7 (electronic dance music oriented), MP-7 (hippity hop), PX-7 (drums). There are 4 total rom slots so it is expandable with a choice of about a dozen other ROMs. A ROM includes raw samples (to build an “instrument” from scratch), instruments (to build a patch with using upto 4 instruments and internal patch cables), and banks of presets (32MB ROMS contain 4 banks of 128 each).
I got it purely to sequence external gear. There is no other sequencer I could find with as much power for so cheap. Usually, they sell for about $250, but they can be found for under $200 if you are very patient. The included synth engine was just a bonus for me. I find world expansion ROM extremely nice for organic drums. Sound sculpting from scratch requires menu diving or the use of the computer editor.
The sequentix and genoqs machines are both stronger sequencers but at 5 to almost 20 (for a new octopus) times the cost.