Apart from using DAW, anyone also uses HW sequencers in their composition?

[cowby]

Hi there,

Although I already have bitwig, live and cubase, am still eyeing on some kind of HW sequencers for quick laying down my idea and speed up some drum pattern programming by using step seq. I have asked for some comments from other forum and those members also suggest me to buy Digitone to control my soft synths and drum VST. However, 10 days ago I bought SL61 MKiii and I am still learning the built-in sequencer. It is fast and fun but I think Dtone is more powerful then SL in terms of sequencer capabilities. I think there is only Elektron have instruments with powerful sequencer which also can control some other external gears/soft synths.

Right, how about you guys? Anyone using HW sequencers in their setup?

Cheers!
Cowby

[antic604]

I think there is only Elektron have instruments with powerful sequencer which also can control some other external gears/soft synths.

There's a lot of advanced grooveboxes, i.e. stand-alone instruments that can ALSO control / sequence external gear, e.g. MPC line, Maschine+, MC707, Deluge(!); so not just Elektron.

Right, how about you guys? Anyone using HW sequencers in their setup?

Yes, I once tried sequencing A4 from MPC One and it's a lot of fun, not to mention enhances the possibilities immensely. Alhough - for me personally - the idea of not being able to save all of this in one, neat file at the end and recall quickly is "scary", however I know it's stupid and a result of my conditioning by working in-the-box since forever I'm sure there are people for whom it's completely opposite, too.

[BoogerSnot]

I don’t use HW sequencers, I use HY sequencers.

[Silaris]

I presently use a Pioneer DJ SQUID sequencer without a DAW. However, I will more than likely replace it with a NI Maschine+ or another sequencer option before year-end.

[Melkor]

I sometimes use an MC80-EX for its arp and pattern seq thingy.
I'll either pipe a sequence or song into it from reaper, FSU, and either pipe the midi back into reaper, or pipe it into another HW rompler ( an O5r or Mu90) or both!

I also have a QY700, which I mostly use for the chord track. It's kind of like a HW BIAB, but the midi can be easily sent to other synths, or to reaper, or both.
This thing is weird but deep.

[sQeetz]

I used to make music on an Amiga with OctaMED and an AKAI CD3000. Although I fondly remember it as being fun, I would not want to go back to doing things that way....on purpose... just why?
To stay "out of the box"? just to be inside another one?

[joeyfivecents]

I sometimes use a teenage engineering OP-Z for sequencing.

[jopy]

First, I have learned over a lot of different sequencerss that a DAW kicks most of them to the curb. I prefer to work out of the box as much as possible because I work on a computer all day, but a DAW is just way easier.

Having a visual display, the ability to write extremely long sequences, cut-paste functions so you can invert/stretch/transpose a sequence, cutting and pasting sequences across multiple instruments, the ability to save hundreds of different patterns, the list goes on. I had a Beatstep Pro, the Korg Volca Drum and Beats, and a Elektron Model:Samples and sold all of them because they ended up being more complex and fiddly relative to Studio One. That's just one reporter's opinion. So the core, for me at least, is that if saving sequences is the end result, I just go with a DAW.

I like using sequencers that don't function like DAWs at all--more real-time controls and playability. For example, I use the sequencer on the Subharmonicon (Moog) which has buttons that distribute clock dividers across two sequences. It's only four steps for each of the two sequencers, but the possibilities for changing values and creating cross-rhythms can't easily be replicated in most DAWs. You can replicate it in a DAW, of course, but it's a lot of work. Can't save sequences, WYSIWIG on the knobs.

Same thing for the seemingly very limited SQ-1 from Korg for controlling CV-based instruments. Muting, skipping steps, step jump, it's a playable instrument, which is quite distinct from what a DAW does well. You can do all those things in a DAW, but it's not as immediate. Can't save sequences, WYSIWIG on the knobs.

The Moog Subsequent sequencer is one exception to my general rule of not saving sequences on external gear, but the layout in the software for the Subsequent is very straightforward and you can do some of the change direction-switch steps-change speed functions in real time that I appreciate.