Good sequencer for a Vermona DRMI MkIII?

[Dubersive]

I'm saving up for a Vermona DRMI MkIII, simply because it seems to be the best analog drum machine that isn't vintage on the market right now, minus the fact that it lacks a sequencer.

So, naturally, I need a sequencer. I do have Reaktor, which comes with a few useful sequencing modules, but I prefer the hands-on approach to drum-programming.

What sequencer do you think would be best suited for the DRMI? I've been looking at the Doepfer MAQ16/3, but not only is it expensive, I don't think it would be able to sequence all of the DRMI's inputs - correct? Any alternatives to suggest?

*edit: I would also prefer whatever I buy to be able to effectively sequence the Perfourmer I recently bought as well. That might be asking a lot though. Right now, my priority is getting a proper sequencer for the DRMI, because I can sequence the Perfourmer sufficiently with software.

[Z]

I used a Roland TR-909's external instrument mode for this video:


I recommend an Analogue Solutions Europa as I used in this video with a Tama TS-305:


You'll also be able to sequence your PerFOURmer with the Europa.

Last summer, I attended Synthesizers.com's "Meeting of the Knobs" which was held here in Dallas and someone brought their Vermona rig (DRM1 & PerFOURmer) which was sequenced by a MAM-SQ-16. The background "music" for this video is from that rig:


Another person at that meet-up used a Korg Electribe to sequence his DRM1.

[Dubersive]

I used a Roland TR-909's external instrument mode for this video:


I recommend an Analogue Solutions Europa as I used in this video with a Tama TS-305:


You'll also be able to sequence your PerFOURmer with the Europa.

Hot damn. That is exactly what I was looking for...I'll that to my shopping list, thanks

Off-topic, but were ever able to get your DRMI repaired?

Last summer, I attended Synthesizers.com's "Meeting of the Knobs" which was held here in Dallas and someone brought their Vermona rig (DRM1 & PerFOURmer) which was sequenced by a MAM-SQ-16. The background "music" for this video is from that rig:


Another person at that meet-up used a Korg Electribe to sequence his DRM1.

Glad to know that MAQ16/3 also fits the bill. The Europa looks a lot more user friendly though - how do the two compare to each other?

If anyone else has suggestions, I'm still listening!

[Z]

Off-topic, but were ever able to get your DRMI repaired?

Sent it back to seller. Last year, I bought a DRM1 mk2.

Glad to know that MAQ16/3 also fits the bill. The Europa looks a lot more user friendly though - how do the two compare to each other?

I actually own a Doepfer MAQ-16, but I've never used it. Those are really more designed for "modular synth sequences" a la Tangerine Dream. The Doepfer Schaltwerk is designed more for drum patterns. That's what NIN uses in studio with their DRM1.

The MAM SQ-16 was really difficult to program in my opinion. The Europa is a breaze to program, but the instrument tracks are monophonic. However, you can do polyphonic sequences by using multiple sequencer tracks.

[cartesia]

An electribe ES1/ER1/EM1 will work I think.. If you just want straight up 16th step sequencing only.. (although the 'roll' button does work for midi output, giving you double/triple/quadruple hits in a single 16th) the DRM1 doesnt accept anything more complex than note trigger messages does it?

[schmidtc]

the DRM1 doesnt accept anything more complex than note trigger messages does it?

It accepts velocity. You'd have to save, but the 909 driving a Vermona is endless fun and totally worth a summer mowing lawns or whatever IMHO. You can map the drums so that snare is snare etc. and the Vermona remembers so you set it once and forget about it. Having the tap write interface and accent controls is really really nice. The only bummer is having to stop the clock when you switch between internal and external sequencer write modes.

A 909 won't be very intuitive with the perfourmer though, and whatever keyboard with a sequencer you prefer would work. I've always preferred to keep drum and synth style sequencers separate, but everyone composes differently. The Cirklon is destined to become the ultimate drum sequencer when it's finally released.

[wiss]

Anything Vermona, I would use Five-12's Numerology

[schmidtc]

Anything Vermona, I would use Five-12's Numerology

would that be your perfourmer youtube demo wiss?

[wiss]

Anything Vermona, I would use Five-12's Numerology

would that be your perfourmer youtube demo wiss?

No, not my video.

[Dubersive]

Sent it back to seller. Last year, I bought a DRM1 mk2.

I figured that's what ended up happening. Must've been a pain in the a*s. Good to know you got it all sorted out though

I actually own a Doepfer MAQ-16, but I've never used it. Those are really more designed for "modular synth sequences" a la Tangerine Dream. The Doepfer Schaltwerk is designed more for drum patterns. That's what NIN uses in studio with their DRM1.

The MAM SQ-16 was really difficult to program in my opinion. The Europa is a breaze to program, but the instrument tracks are monophonic. However, you can do polyphonic sequences by using multiple sequencer tracks.

I was afraid that would be the case. Just from looking at it, it looks very complicated to program. The Europa looks fun as h**l though. As long as I can get some decent polyphonic sequencing out of it, I think I would be very happy with it.

An electribe ES1/ER1/EM1 will work I think.. If you just want straight up 16th step sequencing only.. (although the 'roll' button does work for midi output, giving you double/triple/quadruple hits in a single 16th) the DRM1 doesnt accept anything more complex than note trigger messages does it?

I heard somewhere that they the Electribes are just monophonic for sequencing other synths and drum machines. I dunno. I need to look into how it compares to the Europa, feature-wise.

the DRM1 doesnt accept anything more complex than note trigger messages does it?

It accepts velocity. You'd have to save, but the 909 driving a Vermona is endless fun and totally worth a summer mowing lawns or whatever IMHO. You can map the drums so that snare is snare etc. and the Vermona remembers so you set it once and forget about it. Having the tap write interface and accent controls is really really nice. The only bummer is having to stop the clock when you switch between internal and external sequencer write modes.

A 909 won't be very intuitive with the perfourmer though, and whatever keyboard with a sequencer you prefer would work. I've always preferred to keep drum and synth style sequencers separate, but everyone composes differently. The Cirklon is destined to become the ultimate drum sequencer when it's finally released.

As much as I would like a TR-909, all of the eBay offerings in my area are outrageously overpriced. I'd rather get a sequencer that does just as much as the TR-909, without the hefty vintage price-tag. There has to be more options out there for that level of control.

I'll take a look at that Cirklon thing you mentioned.

Anything Vermona, I would use Five-12's Numerology

Yea, I looked into that, having heard of it before. It looks pretty sweet. Too bad I don't have a Mac

[shaft9000]

I heard somewhere that they the Electribes are just monophonic for sequencing other synths and drum machines

true, but each track is assignable to a different note# or MIDI channel.
at least on the EMX and ESX they are.

[jaypodesta]

You can change midi note numbers on the ER1 too

[Dubersive]

I heard somewhere that they the Electribes are just monophonic for sequencing other synths and drum machines

true, but each track is assignable to a different note# or MIDI channel.
at least on the EMX and ESX they are.

You can change midi note numbers on the ER1 too

So, if I'm understanding you correctly, this means I can use an Electribe to play up to eight sequences or more at once? As in, have a sequence for each of the sounds (kick, snare, tom, etc.) like a x0x sequencer? Or is it just one 16 note track for all the sounds?

(sorry for the probably stupid question. Sequencing confuses me a little)

[jeeroj]

yup you can do that, I jam sometimes with a friend who has a DRM1 and he uses an ES-1 to sequence it.

[Trom69]

What about Roland TR-505 or TR-626?
Less than $100... easy to find...