Step sequencing, why am I so into it...

I mean I don't like piano rolls, hitting keys or anything else for music composition. If it does not have a step sequencer I don't want to know.

Joined a few studio buddies on the weekend and they were in Protools and Logic painting in notes via the piano roll and they were like join in lets get it happening, and I was like huh where is the step sequencer at?

I can see why they use the Piano roll and it is great if you like it, but I find myself only wanting to use step sequence for making tracks, the Drums, bass, stabs and anything else is just stepped sequenced, and the studio buddies could not believe it, they were like you are crazy.

Maybe this comes back to the old days of Roland gear and step sequencing, not sure what it is but it has stuck with me now. Anyone know some great software which comes in step sequencing or has a really good step sequencer? Also would like to see if I can use a step sequencer in software to trigger some hardware and software synths.

I would like to integrate some software step sequencing to my set up. Anyone else here thinks step sequencing is the stuff?

all depends on how you input on a step sequencer.

i like the old school method is used with my sh09 and it's sidekick the 2 channel step sequencer or the step sequencer in my old roland jx3p.

as you pressed a key on the keyboard it "stepped" through the sequence...you could also miss/mute a step with a dedicated key..that to me is STEP sequencing music.

for step sequencing drum i prefered the tr606method over my dr55 back in the day...so my korg electribe is okay for drums but i'd prefer the jx3p way for music.

so...step sequencers?...what's out there in DAW's or ipad apps that work like my old jx3p?

I am all about using step sequencers. I own Cirklon and its a pretty bad ass piece of gear. Tons of fun. I haven't tried it, but I have heard Numerology is a cool sequencer on software side of things. Previous to owning the Cirklon I was just using the 909 sequencer. I am going to continue to learn this machine for sometime yet. I have to agree step sequencing is a fun way to work.

Yeah for me it is the only way and just like you I also used a 909 a step sequencer.

But given the power of Software, I am curious to see how they operate as step sequencers.

You are right the Cirklon is bad, and I have thought about it however I need to stop a little on the gear purchase and would like to start integrating some softies.

It's funny as I
tried to program a bass line in a piano roll and to me it just sounded bad, then I tried the same exact sound using a step sequencer on 16 steps with velocity change and filter adjustments, and the thing started screaming Techno.

Ah step sequecing. Who invented I wonder?

Correct what is out there in terms of software, even a plugin for Protools or Logic...I currently use the MPC 60/Tempest and was using the TR 909 for a while but want to give software a try..It would be neat to have some software power on hand.

This thing has to be capable as I want to create full tracks on it and Ideally must have 64 steps and song mode or chain ability.
Needs pitch also for those bass lines and stabs
I know Logic has Ultrabeat, but not a fan at all.

Logic still has the Hyper Editor, which is not a step-sequencer per say, but does allow for notes and controller values to be drawn in very quickly. If you're looking for drum machine-style sequencing, it might do the trick.

Here's a screenshot of a sample-playback step-sequencing synth I made for Korg's OASYS PCI card years ago. I'm currently working on an AudioUnit version which runs inside of Logic, etc.

Well at the end of the day the Cirklon is software, it just came with its own pretty box.

I would agree about computing power. I updated the Cirklon OS from .76 to .80 and the results are impressive. The negative delay feature is really f'ing cool.

Spend on on synths, spend money on softies. Same same.heh One piles up on counter , the other in the comp...Which is easier to hide from the wife?

Interestingly, there is a small camp of people in Cirklon user group who are requesting a piano roll style display for the Cirklon. Looks like it may happen too. Be interesting see

Why not an elektron?? :D

Hey I dont like the Hypereditor, can do some cool things in it I know, but it rather ugly if you ask me.

I also need it to transmit MIDI out so for example can use a softie synth to trigger the step sequencer, get the picture???

I love SPARK but I am positive it will not allow me to send midi out to a synth.

Agree however honestly don't mean to sound like an asse, I have so much hardware and given the power of what I am seeing some software do I would like to jump on. Have been a little arrogant to software and this needs to change.
The only hardware I will continue to purchase is outboard comps, no more synths, no more drum machines no more nothing. I have reached a point where I do not need anymore synths. Outboard well this is another story.

Ahh going back to hardware, but hey what is the Elektron like?, I have denied this bit of gear for a long time now!


Glad to see we have some fans of step sequencing here
Nice one

Well said on your 202 post! heh

Sugar Bytes Thesys


software step sequencing from the future

I'll definitely +1 thesys - easy CC sequencing for outboard

I can easily get bored/frustrated/annoyed using software step sequencers though, unless I have them mapped 1:1 to a midi controller, preferably with light-up feedback (i.e. launchpad/monome/bcr2000) - I like interacting with step sequencers using detailed tactile interfaces (no touchscreens!)

You see this is why the place is the bomb. Thank you all.

This looks great from the front page already. Wonder how it works.

Yeah I am over it, no more synths or drum machines.
I am going to regret I said this at some point, but after last week and the software threads, I started beating up on software again and now kind of regret it, because...

To my amazement I came across some software a few days ago that blew my mind away...I was like what it can't be, and do you know what I actually did not care if it sounded a little digital, as it sounded really good.
Maybe the OP on the other thread is right a good track does not know the difference between analog and digital

So rather then fight it, I am jumping on with the software, not for compressors or EQ though.

I have a feeling it may just be the future one day.

Another +1 for Thesys! I don't always step sequence, but when I want it, I make sure it is done right!

Used to step sequence with Reaper's piano roll, but it became too cumbersome. Though I always got the desired results. Meh, wutevs!

if you're a hardware guy just crossing over to software, i recommend checking out propellerheads reason. the company was the first to emulate a 808/909/303 back in the late 90's, and reason goes much further giving you racks of emulated mixers,fx,synths,samplers & step sequencers.. it's all modular and the latest version integrates multi track audio and SSL type sub mixing. other software step sequencing options i know of, Fruity Loops on PC, NI Maschine..
I have yet to try Thesys, looks really powerful..

Great to find others that also enjoy step sequencers. I don't know how many times I have requested a analog style step sequencer as a new product at many manufacturers such Moog and Spectrasonics.

I have worked with Numerology and it's ok. Well, maybe to much options and possibilities in the program to be in the true spirit of an analog style of step sequencer.

Worked some with the step sequencer in software synths such Moog Modular V, Omnisphere etc. Nice, but. Not what I'm looking for.

I have an old environment of Doepfler 16/3. It is nice, but to much cables and stuff in the graphic interface of the environment.

But mainly I work with CamelSpace. It is not a typical step sequencer, but nice for step sequence filters etc.

I saw the Thesys mentioned above. That made me curious. How is Thesys compared to Numerology?

How new does it have to be? While the options won't fill a landfill, they do exist!
Analogue Solutions Oberkorn
MFB Step 64 & Urzwerg
Future Retro The Orb
Doepfer Dark Time & 16/3 (which I see you have experience with)
That's just off the top of my head...
Other options include Eurorack step sequencers. Doepfer and Tip Top Audio spring to mind right away.

Reason has the only software step sequencers I've got on with. Only problem is you can't send midi to hardware.

Yeah thanks for all the responses, I like you have a thing for step sequencing, I just cannot create music unless in step mode.

I have tried and tried but just cant.
I just finished testing the demo of Thesys and it is very nice, the best I have seen. Shame It just did not work with any my DAWS so I could really test it with out it as standalone.
I have to go in Logic and Audio Midi set up to get it going and just not in the mood for that ha ha ha.

It looks very damn nice this program does.

Reason not good as I want to sequence in hardware.

It is so hard to find exactly what I am looking for but will get their.
I downloaded NERVE tonight as a demo and wow, small but powerful. I think it can send midi out also, but I doubt I can sequence external gear with it.
It looks damn good this NERVE does. Def step sequencing also. Not anything like Thesys though, more like a drum machine but I can get samples in their and it has pitch so who knows.

Tried a lot of stuff as well (plugins, reaktor ensembles) but never really got hooked. It is either so simple that I can use a quantised piano roll instead or so complex that it did my head in (some reaktor stuff). i was even considering buying an old mac to run numerology, because that really seems to be very nice and following its own "philosophy" of step sequencing.

Actually, in SW world, the closest I found was ableton live with its clips (but piano-roll again). I mainly use Cubase these days but once ableton is out and stable for 64bit I will have to give it a try again. I have to say I love its concept of the clip view for music creation.

...maybe I did not search long enough, and I know you don't want to hear it, but I ended up with HW sequencers :-).

Manikin Schrittmacher: most immediate interface, you can operate it in half-sleep, has a simple architecture but is very deep; not for entire songs though

Genoqs Octopus: a dream machine, but you need to be sober if you want to operate it besides simplest step sequencing (but it is nice for that as well :-); needs lots of space.

Sequentix Cirklon: similar to genoqs, can probably do more (have not yet gathered too much experience with it). It is great for old synths (CV breakout); after a first look it is not as immediate as the Schrittmacher.

Anyway, you did not ask about HW. If you change your mind, search these forums, there is lots of info about the HW I just mentionned briefly (and some other)

I think NI Maschine is a great hybrid solution, it excels more at MPC type sequencing, but the step sequencing although not as advanced as some of the newer dedicated software talked here, is still very usable and fun plus the controller has midi out and the timing is great when sequencing external hardware, here is a quick overview of the step sequencer:

Ahh I don't know it is all to much.

I was something simple yet interactive, I don't want hardware as I have enough although not a dedicated sequencer as such apart from the MPC which I trigger all my outboard gear with and my TR 909 which is step, but again this stuff is getting old in technology so I thought software would be a good choice. Yeah some software is either way simple or way to hard, I understand you. I give up on some software as I just can't figure it out and then it does my head in and I end up having fits and tantrum attacks. The environment in Logic does this to me.

I don't know why I am so hung up on step if only I could use Pro tools midi or Logic or Abelton. I have live 8 suite however again it is piano roll and whilst a fantastic program it brings me back to not having the step sequencer.

I can create full tracks in step sequencing and I can do it very quickly and easily
The best SW I have seen so far was tonight by Thesys, I hope it is easy enough to set up with Logic or Protools.

Xanax don't make me have to go out and purchase Maschine please, it is another bit of gear I have tried to deny I actually don't see much purpose for me on the NI though having a couple of MPC'S already and plus I own SPARK, fantastic however I cannot sequence external gear on the step sequencer. I do really like it's step sequencer and also NERVE'S.
Have you guys tried that software XFER Nerve?

Cubase have some kind of step sequencer but ,really simple one from what i saw and it kinad sucked,but its enough to start if someone relies on native plugs

If you make techno and enjoy step sequencing you'd be crazy to pass up on this.

Sonic Charge - µTonic

I have several hardware drum machines/drum synths yet i frequently find myself turning to this little beauty.

There are some pretty intuitive sequencers for Reaktor, once you get your head around them.

Its been a long time now that I haven't used a DAW for sequencing midi, but I am pretty sure that it is possible to set up simple and powerful step sequencing in most DAW's! certainly it is more than possible in Logic...don't now about latest versions of cubase? but it used to be easy in Cubase 3.5 VST on a powermac!!! thats almost a vintage sequencer now isn't it!

I know that the above methods aren't the same as punching in on a loop via a 16 button interface (HW or SW), but...the DAW step sequencing option is actually a lot more flexible, after learning a few key commands you can pretty much leave mousey alone altogether. Here's sound on sound's mini tutorial using logic -

Step Sequencing In Logic

There is also this if you fancy compiling it on a dedicated Linux machine, potentialy a very powerful step sequencer/arpeggiator....for next to zero $/£-

Ardour