"Old School" Hardware Sequencers

Hi guys !

So, I'm in trouble because I'd like to get a sequencer but don't really know what to get.

I'm looking for something that would allow me to drive my synths via midi and program some rhythmic patterns, without being necessarily "easy" to use...

I first wanted to get an MPC 1000 but since it's quite expansive I looked for something else. Then I read some (positive) reviews about old Roland machines (mc 50, mc 303 and stuff) and found them pretty interesting.

I just was wondering if you experienced some of those machines and your opinion about it, which one you EKTers would recommend me to get, etc.

I might add that I'm not a total "hardware noob" : I've been using an old (1998 lol) Yamaha Sampler for a while now but I'd like to get something new now (it doesn't work very well).

Thanks in advance for your answers

Cheers !

I had an old MC 303 for a long time, pretty fun little groovebox, but the storage space is REEEEALLY limited, so if you start automating filters and lfo's on it you're gonna eat up it's memory real fast. It was a great learning tool at the time though.

how much you looking to spend? for £499 you can get this:

Analogue Solutions Europa

http://analoguesolutions.org.uk/v2/europa-hardware-midi-step-sequencer/

i saw a mint yamaha rm1x for 120 euro's recently. i cried inside. it should fetch more than that, pretty versatile thingy. and old school.

I use a Kawai Q80, also a really nice oldskool and cheap sequencer, I suggest checking it out if people in your area are offering it for < 100$

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

  On 11/21/2011 at 12:41 AM, Berk said:

I use a Kawai Q80, also a really nice oldskool and cheap sequencer, I suggest checking it out if people in your area are offering it for < 100$

 

http://www.vintagesy.../sequencers.php

 

I started out with one of those. Can't say I miss programming it too much.

The pattern mutes were cool though, so was looping patterns that were different lengths.

i own an rm1x and it's really easy to bust out beats on the thing

Yek is the man to talk to when it comes to sequencers.

oh no you di'n !

Are you looking for a step sequencer, or the more modern and featureful kind? And is the any particular reason you're after a hardware sequencer specifically?

yeah, you could always use a drum machine...

yamaha qy700 / 300 (no backlight)? the 700 costs sth around 250 euro. the smaller ones only have 1 midi in + out.

its obviously not as straight-forward as a groovebox / x0x sequencer but has some nice editing features and several ways of how notes are entered. also some built-in sounds (instant jingleat0r) to sketch stuff.

never used a mc303 but i think to have heard that the sequencer is rather limited when driving external gear.

Thanks for your answers !

@BCM : Looks good but a bit expensive...If I had that amount of money to spend I'd rather get a new MPC or something like that !

@psn : the MMT8 was the Sequencer that Autechre used on Incunabula right ? Seems to be a nice machine and really cheap, might check it out ! But I've read it isn't a step sequencer at core...Is that true ?

@ZoeB : Yep I'd like to get a step sequencer (your article is very well written btw), but I'm not that narrow-minded ^^ I want a hardware sequencer because of the fun it is to use (imo), the workflow it brings etc. I'm not a fan of the software, tried a few ones and never managed to do anything that good on my computer (except using Buzz which is the only piece of software I still use intensively these days). Plus it could allow me to get "live", with synths etc. (I like to play very much on keyboards and knobs and stuff).

By the way a drum machine is a good alternative, but quite "restricted" for my purposes, since I'd like to "drive" synths via MIDI or record a whole track on a hardware machine...I saw an Alesis SR16, is this any good ?

I might check the Yamaha models, a friend of mine has some of those QY things and it could be nice to try it with him.

Thanks again for all of your answers !

The rm1x is pretty bonkers, I dunno if I'd call it old school though.

most cheap hardware sequencers (and many mentioned in this thread) are actually just "sequence recorders", with no way to actually write anything into them without an external keyboard hooked into the MIDI IN. this is OK obviously but no so great if you haven't got a MIDI keyboard or want to sync the thing to an external clock source or what have you.

so yeah, get something with a means to enter notes into the sequencer built-in. to this end I have had a long and winding journey myself over the years and have owned various cheap hardware sequencers from the MC-303, Korg Electribes to the Yamaha QY series. to be honest, all of them were pretty shit (although i told myself i liked them at the time) and none really had the features i wanted - i.e. up to 64-step patterns which cycle continuously, ability to change notes on the fly, accent and slide, simple 16-step grid with flashing lights, MIDI in out and thru etc etc - basically the only thing that fitted the bill for me were expensive analogue style hardware sequencers (a lá the Doepfer MAQ 16/3 [and now the Dark Time], Oberkorn etc). the closest to this kind of setup was the MC-303 or the Electribe EM-1 i guess.

these days i use Five12 Numerology which is an analogue style software sequencer and does exactly what i need and more. i can't recommend it enough (but it is Mac only unfortunately).

most hardware step sequencers have been made obsolete with the iPad

I've tried a lot in my time and the only ones worth bothering with are the MPC1000 with JJOSXL2 firmware or the Elektrons as they are very well developed and most other obsolete hardware sequencers are more hassle than they're worth and came from a time when there was nothing much else to use.

  On 11/21/2011 at 6:39 PM, StocKo said:

Thanks for your answers !

 

@BCM : Looks good but a bit expensive...If I had that amount of money to spend I'd rather get a new MPC or something like that !

 

@psn : the MMT8 was the Sequencer that Autechre used on Incunabula right ? Seems to be a nice machine and really cheap, might check it out ! But I've read it isn't a step sequencer at core...Is that true ?

 

@ZoeB : Yep I'd like to get a step sequencer (your article is very well written btw), but I'm not that narrow-minded ^^ I want a hardware sequencer because of the fun it is to use (imo), the workflow it brings etc. I'm not a fan of the software, tried a few ones and never managed to do anything that good on my computer (except using Buzz which is the only piece of software I still use intensively these days). Plus it could allow me to get "live", with synths etc. (I like to play very much on keyboards and knobs and stuff).

 

By the way a drum machine is a good alternative, but quite "restricted" for my purposes, since I'd like to "drive" synths via MIDI or record a whole track on a hardware machine...I saw an Alesis SR16, is this any good ?

 

I might check the Yamaha models, a friend of mine has some of those QY things and it could be nice to try it with him.

 

Thanks again for all of your answers !

I've played around with the MMT8, and it doesn't seem very good for live use. At least, not according to my way of working.

Neither is the QY70 actually, in fact it's pretty terrible for live playing. Then again, I've barely figured out how to even sequence anything on it.

I wouldn't completely dismiss software sequencers. Seq24 sounds like it'd be relevant to your interests:

http://www.filter24.org/seq24/

You can record into each loop, and then trigger the loops via midi or with your computer keyboard. It's pretty awesome. I use it to trigger my QY70 and electribe ES-1.

  On 11/21/2011 at 7:32 PM, Ascdi said:

The rm1x is pretty bonkers, I dunno if I'd call it old school though.

maybe not by mmt8 standards. but it has oldschool sensibilities, as in that it uses the step sequencer model and and rugged case with lots of toggles and knobs. it also has a 3.5" floppy drive yo. the more advanced digital features make for some awesome sequencing versatility though, highly recommended for grid/step-sequenced based purposed and very good value for money. no joke.

I recently got a cheap QY-70. it has some good capabilities, and is very straight forward + useful editing tricks.. the only problem is that data entry/manipulation can be slow when you want to do some specific edits.. no data wheel, only buttons.

  On 11/22/2011 at 3:27 AM, a missing sense said:

I recently got a cheap QY-70. it has some good capabilities, and is very straight forward + useful editing tricks.. the only problem is that data entry/manipulation can be slow when you want to do some specific edits.. no data wheel, only buttons.

I'm sure I could do something with it if I tried, but really it's not much more effort to have a cheap netbook+usb midi cable controlling it using an interface that can actually be manipulated live, beyond simple channel mutes or pattern changes.

if five12 would get their arrange window sorted out it would be like 1000% more useful. I love the sequencer, but the way you arrange the sequences is aweful.

the rm1x would be perfect if it had more outs. It would even be awesome if you could make an output into a send out.

can that be done on an MPC1000? I know there are lots of outs. Can one be configured as a send out?