Analogue style on board step sequencers pro and cons?
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:19 pm
Not being big on keyboard playing I like a nice realtime step sequencer of some kind on my synths so how about a little round up of all the pros and cons of knob style step sequences on all the various synths out there that have them.
Please note; I do mean analogue knob style sequencing here not groovebox grid editing.
AN1X
Pros
A good verity of playing options like having different sequences on each key on one half of the keyboard and transposing them with the other half.
Transmits MIDI note, velocity, gate and MIDI CC.
Can be used together with the on board free EG.
Forwards, backwards and pendulum (two types) playing modes.
Step Hold.
All steps can be controlled via sysex from an external MIDI controller (like a Drehbank).
Sequencer can transmit on a separate MIDI channel to the keyboard.
Cons
No running LED's to tell which step is playing (a real bummer).
Only 8 knobs and its fiddly to change which row to edit.
Only parameters assigned to a dedicated MIDI CC can be modulated.
Can give out sloppy MIDI data with busy sequences.
Arranging the sequences for keyboard selection can be fiddly.
Can't assign different row lengths in the same pattern.
Can be trick getting the sequencer to respond to MIDI start/stop.
Polymorph
Pros
Each 4 synth parts has its own pitch + x3 modulation sequences assignable to almost all sound parameters with different lengths and playback style for each row.
Quick and easy selection, playback mode and assignment of each sequencer row.
8 assignable global part mute/transpose buttons for all 4 synth parts.
Step Hold.
Can be stopped/started whilst other gear is still running.
Good solid timing but rock solid with external MIDI sync.
Has a separate user sequence bank which you can flick though on the fly as well as the x4 setup bank.
Can flick through different patches whilst tweaking the same sequence on the fly.
Cons
Only 8 steps can be edited at one.
1-8/9-16 switching button is shared with an editing button so no switching when in the menus.
Fixed gate time.
Only outputs basic note, fixed gate and unusable sysex output from mod sequences.
Switching between different setup's (x4 patches and sequences) hasn't been implemented well as you have to be quick flicking through the presets with the jog wheel before the sequence ends.
Although the front panel has easy access to different sequencer edits many handy sequencer parameters are still hidden in the menus.
So can anyone else give a little lowdown on the pros and cons of all the other on board step sequences out there?
Andromeda?
MS2000?
Radias?
Q?
Evolver?
anything else?
Please note; I do mean analogue knob style sequencing here not groovebox grid editing.
AN1X
Pros
A good verity of playing options like having different sequences on each key on one half of the keyboard and transposing them with the other half.
Transmits MIDI note, velocity, gate and MIDI CC.
Can be used together with the on board free EG.
Forwards, backwards and pendulum (two types) playing modes.
Step Hold.
All steps can be controlled via sysex from an external MIDI controller (like a Drehbank).
Sequencer can transmit on a separate MIDI channel to the keyboard.
Cons
No running LED's to tell which step is playing (a real bummer).
Only 8 knobs and its fiddly to change which row to edit.
Only parameters assigned to a dedicated MIDI CC can be modulated.
Can give out sloppy MIDI data with busy sequences.
Arranging the sequences for keyboard selection can be fiddly.
Can't assign different row lengths in the same pattern.
Can be trick getting the sequencer to respond to MIDI start/stop.
Polymorph
Pros
Each 4 synth parts has its own pitch + x3 modulation sequences assignable to almost all sound parameters with different lengths and playback style for each row.
Quick and easy selection, playback mode and assignment of each sequencer row.
8 assignable global part mute/transpose buttons for all 4 synth parts.
Step Hold.
Can be stopped/started whilst other gear is still running.
Good solid timing but rock solid with external MIDI sync.
Has a separate user sequence bank which you can flick though on the fly as well as the x4 setup bank.
Can flick through different patches whilst tweaking the same sequence on the fly.
Cons
Only 8 steps can be edited at one.
1-8/9-16 switching button is shared with an editing button so no switching when in the menus.
Fixed gate time.
Only outputs basic note, fixed gate and unusable sysex output from mod sequences.
Switching between different setup's (x4 patches and sequences) hasn't been implemented well as you have to be quick flicking through the presets with the jog wheel before the sequence ends.
Although the front panel has easy access to different sequencer edits many handy sequencer parameters are still hidden in the menus.
So can anyone else give a little lowdown on the pros and cons of all the other on board step sequences out there?
Andromeda?
MS2000?
Radias?
Q?
Evolver?
anything else?