Sequencer questions Korg EA-1 and other options

[otto]

I'd love to get the doepfer MAQ16 or the oberkorn but I'm just not sure I want to drop that much on a sequencer at the moment. I'm thinking along the lines of the FR Orb and MFB step64 or possibly mobius or revolution. However, I can't help but to think that the Korg electribe EA-1 seems like a real cheap, intuitive sequencer... Thoughts?

[pricklyrobot]

I found the EA-1 to be the most instantly intuitive of the sequencers I've used.

Although recently I decided I might want more than two tracks of sequencing, so I've picked up an E-mu MP-7 (which you might want to take a look at, or one of the other Command Stations, 16 tracks and can be had around $200).

I was hoping the MP-7's Grid sequencing mode would be more like the EA's, but you can only enter gate values in percentages (1-100) which are somehow tied to the time signature; it's good for rhythmic/percussive type sounds, not so good for longer notes, which I end up just having to play and record in Real-Time mode (*if any Command Station owners out there know how to enter a "tie" in grid mode, please let me know).

By comparison, on the EA-1, each step's gate value is set as a multiple—or fraction—of a step, from .25 on up to 64 (i.e. note drones for all 4 measures), this is much more logical to my musically-challenged brain.

I imagine I'll wrap my head around the MP-7 eventually, the 16 tracks with individual mute buttons are nice. But you can't beat the EA-1 for instantly getting sequences up and running, if they had a 16 or even an 8-track version it would definitely be my top pick.

P.S. If you decide to go for it, let me know, I've got a mkII in good functional and cosmetic shape that I really ought to let go to make space for (and help offset the cost of) the new arrival.