Which Hardware Sequencer for full songs?

[ChuckFalcon]

Hi everyone! I am looking for a hardware sequencer (preferably rack mountable) that controls synth and drum machines via midi and also records midi. I need it to be able to record full songs and play out live. I need it to be able to record live midi in real time as well as a step sequencer. Does such a thing exist? I don't need a lot of effect and bells and whistles. However, I do need it to be able to have enough memory to play a set.

I can already do this with my current set up and use my Akai MPC 1000 as my sequencer. However the buttons are kinda shotty, I don't really use the 16 launch pads for anything, or the sampling and basically just use it to sequence.

I know such a thing probably exists on a computer program but I am a hardware guy.

Sorry for being a noob but I have looked and looked and I can't seem to find what I am looking for.

Any help please?

[Hugo76]

How about a Yamaha rm1x? Pretty capable and very cheap nowadays

[corndogssg]

believe it or not but the roland jx 305 groovesynth with it's part mute's (7 parts for diff tracks and 8 for diff drum parts) makes for a pretty dope hardware sequencer. with one 4mb card, yes that is the biggest it takes, you can easily hold enough songs for a full album or two worth a material. I got down tight on that synth and it was my baby until i realized the power of a proper daw but still in 2014 i can play a whole show with just my jx305. and for the money they are pretty cheap nowadays. i am not sure what the keyless one is called but it's one of the earlier roland groove boxes.

i used it to make up hip hop,rap, dance, trance and everything in between. a great synth all around! and with the ability to save your patterns one after another and being able to press a button to bring in and out parts of your beat live it makes for a pretty dam good live synth. plus it works great with midi. i used to sync up mine to a jp8000 and yamaha motif before the tweakers broke in and stole all my s**t ahhh tweakers. the plauge of music lovers hard earned gear, anyone who has had their beloved music gear ripped off knows the feeling, it is terrible! even with renters insurance it still sucked. but blah blach, we all know TWEAKERS SUCK!!!

[meatballfulton]

There are no currently made standalone sequencers that will do what you want.

When you write "live MIDI" do you mean overdubbing and looping in a live situation while the sequencer is running? If so you probably want to look into used grooveboxes (including other MPCs).

[StepLogik]

If you can live with just rack mount SMF playback there are a couple of options: yamaha CS-6r, some Roland commercial/contractor playback units [AR series] come to mind off the top of my head. I think some of the Roland units will also record. But, no step sequencing. There doesn't seem to be many options in this area.

If you give up the rack mount requirement, there are tons of options available.

[jaypodesta]

Looked at Sequentix Cirklon maybe

Not sure how available they are though.

[balma]

Emu Command Station.

[ChuckFalcon]

Hey everyone, thanks for all of the replies. By recording live midi, I don't mean record live at the show. I mean like, record a performance with your hands and synth/drum machine even with the little "humanistic" mess ups. Not just punch in the exact right thing through the step/grid method. I just like both.

Whenever you guys gimmie suggestions I go straight to youtube and check 'em out so thanks for all the suggestions. Keep'em rollin'

[ChuckFalcon]

what is the term for recording midi/sequencing midi when it is not initially recorded on "the grid" method? I wanna be able to talk like I'm educated for the future, ha.

[meatballfulton]

what is the term for recording midi/sequencing midi when it is not initially recorded on "the grid" method?

Real time recording.

[bluntedcircuit]

I'd personally stick with the mpc1000, those buttons can get shitty but they're pretty easy/cheap to replace.
Maybe a korg m3 module would be more appealing? It definitely has a better screen

[Automatic Gainsay]

Oh my God, people have forgotten about realtime sequencing.

I am swinging my cane at you.

AKAI GODDAMNED ASQ10

[ninja6485]

Not much by way of rack mounted sequencers, although the EMU ultra line of samplers have sequencers that you could use. Otherwise:

http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/sequencers.php


...Doesn't the mpc1000 do real time midi sequencing?

[Hallu]

That is great that you're a "hardware guy", but if you want to be great at what you do maybe you should start being a "best tool for the job guy."

As others have said, what you want only exists in software. Look into a decent MIDI controller to assist in working whatever program you find.

[Zamise]

that last post.

Someone already mentioned the RM1X :fist bump:

RS7000 also fits in a rack supposedly quite nicely, but I don't think I could bring myself to screw ears in to it as it may fit perfectly in to a seven or eight slots, it is not really meant to be put in one and would have to be adapted some what not to ruin the plastic case but I've heard of it being done. ::double fist bump::

Maybe a QY70/100 ..Sideways fist bump..

If you've got some $$$ and lots of time to figure it out, a Radikal Tech Spectralis comes with rack ears and can be mounted, but also seems kind of wasteful. The wood sides are probably 2/3rds the cost of it. Only kidding, but the wood sides do make it prettier than sitting in a plastic rack case. :::triple fist bump:::

Seems like there'd be a plethora of rack versions of workstation keyboards out there that could do it too, but maybe not and I don't feel like looking them all up to be sure.