heavy duty pitch + gate sequencer module comparison
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- mdoudoroff
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heavy duty pitch + gate sequencer module comparison
In an attempt to impose some order on the relatively-fully-featured sequencer market, I’ve begun working up a comparison chart similar to my stereo mixer comparison.
I will endeavor to keep this up-to-date. If I can make this more useful, let me know. Corrections and augmentations cheerfully entertained.
http://doudoroff.com/sequencers/
UPDATES:
2021-01-03 added Intellijel Tete+Tetrapad
2020-12-19 added D&D Modules Heaven 16
2020-12-12 added Extralife Sweet Sixteen, other updates
2020-10-25 added Ladik S-280
2020-08-01 added SDS Digital Sequarallel
2020-07-21 added (with misgivings) Behringer 960 and 182
2019-04-29 added the RYK M185
2019-03-30 reworked the Gate Handling column
2019-12-30 minor updates
2019-10-28 added Befaco Muxlicer
2019-10-27 added Qu-bit Bloom to the comparison, updates
2019-10-15 removed Pittsburgh Sequence Designer
2019-10-13 minor updates
2019-09-30 added Tesseract Sequencer
2019-09-30 added Oakley Sequencer
2019-09-06 added Octone, other updates
2019-09-05 added WMD Metron+Voltera
2019-05-13 added Erica Black Sequencer, Livestock Shepard
2019-05-08 added Endorphin.es Ground Control
2019-05-03 added USTA, release years
2019-02-13 added CFM1
2018-09-19 added René 2
2018-07-30 added Pittsburgh and Random Source sequencers, misc updates
2018-04-26 misc updates, added Red Light District, Varigate 4+, and Lifeforms Micro Sequence
2017-11-01 updates to FLXS1, added Squarp and 1010Music Toolbox
2017-08-15 NerdSeq updates
2017-07-03 Corrections
2017-06-29 Added column on gate sequencing features; added Rene, Popcorn and Mattson sq816
2017-06-18 Rough draft
2017-06-19 Various tweaks and additions
I will endeavor to keep this up-to-date. If I can make this more useful, let me know. Corrections and augmentations cheerfully entertained.
http://doudoroff.com/sequencers/
UPDATES:
2021-01-03 added Intellijel Tete+Tetrapad
2020-12-19 added D&D Modules Heaven 16
2020-12-12 added Extralife Sweet Sixteen, other updates
2020-10-25 added Ladik S-280
2020-08-01 added SDS Digital Sequarallel
2020-07-21 added (with misgivings) Behringer 960 and 182
2019-04-29 added the RYK M185
2019-03-30 reworked the Gate Handling column
2019-12-30 minor updates
2019-10-28 added Befaco Muxlicer
2019-10-27 added Qu-bit Bloom to the comparison, updates
2019-10-15 removed Pittsburgh Sequence Designer
2019-10-13 minor updates
2019-09-30 added Tesseract Sequencer
2019-09-30 added Oakley Sequencer
2019-09-06 added Octone, other updates
2019-09-05 added WMD Metron+Voltera
2019-05-13 added Erica Black Sequencer, Livestock Shepard
2019-05-08 added Endorphin.es Ground Control
2019-05-03 added USTA, release years
2019-02-13 added CFM1
2018-09-19 added René 2
2018-07-30 added Pittsburgh and Random Source sequencers, misc updates
2018-04-26 misc updates, added Red Light District, Varigate 4+, and Lifeforms Micro Sequence
2017-11-01 updates to FLXS1, added Squarp and 1010Music Toolbox
2017-08-15 NerdSeq updates
2017-07-03 Corrections
2017-06-29 Added column on gate sequencing features; added Rene, Popcorn and Mattson sq816
2017-06-18 Rough draft
2017-06-19 Various tweaks and additions
Last edited by mdoudoroff on Sun Jan 03, 2021 8:43 am, edited 13 times in total.
Not quite sure why the Sequins app in Ornament & Crime has been excluded. Lack of knobs/sliders? But several of the ones included don't have knobs or sliders either. O&C would also be the cheapest sequencer in that list, even as a ready-built module, and cheapest by a long shot if you DIY. Also the second smallest (only Copper Traces is narrower).
Here's a quick overview of the Sequins sequencer in O&C v1.2 firmware. It has been enhanced in the v1.3 firmware which is now available:
[video][/video]
Here's a quick overview of the Sequins sequencer in O&C v1.2 firmware. It has been enhanced in the v1.3 firmware which is now available:
[video][/video]
Last edited by Timmy on Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- mdoudoroff
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Fine with me! Added. (Confession: I’m a very happy O&C user, but I’ve never even fired up Sequins. I should give it a try one of these days!)Timmy wrote:Not quite sure why the Sequins app in Ornament & Crime has been excluded. Lack of knobs/sliders? But several of the ones included don't have knobs or sliders either. O&C would also be the cheapest sequencer in that list, even as a ready-built module, and cheapest by a long shot if you DIY. Also the second smallest (only Copper traces is narrower).
Thanks! Fixed!dysonant wrote:Great work on this, as usual. Just an FYI that Varigate 8+ has ratcheting.
Metropolis has ratcheting as well as repeat. It's nice to see a table like this where they are all on one page, and for purchasing a first sequencer it may be enough. However, more detail could be added. Things like support for din sync, slide type, max voltage (octave) range, etc.
Also, teletype should be added. According to your current columns it would be:
Shipping yes
18 hp
64 steps
4 (configurable)
1 cv/1 gate (configurable, expanders available for more per track outputs)
8 triggers/1 cv (expander availble to provide more inputs)
Ratchet / Repeat
$480
Telex/tracker
Also, teletype should be added. According to your current columns it would be:
Shipping yes
18 hp
64 steps
4 (configurable)
1 cv/1 gate (configurable, expanders available for more per track outputs)
8 triggers/1 cv (expander availble to provide more inputs)
Ratchet / Repeat
$480
Telex/tracker
This is a cool idea! I might Twisted Electrons Cells to the bottom section since it's got similar characteristics as the René.
Another couple that could be added to the bottom section that aren't quite sequencers but designed more around interesting arp creation are the Bastl Popcorn and the WMD Arpitecht.
Another couple that could be added to the bottom section that aren't quite sequencers but designed more around interesting arp creation are the Bastl Popcorn and the WMD Arpitecht.
can teletype work without a monome?geremyf wrote:Also, teletype should be added
Absolutely. In fact, a monome cannot even hookup directly to a teletype. I don't have a monome but a teletype + telelxi expander. I bought them to control the e370 I have on order and it has been a revelation.
I'm going to get an ansible too, not for a monome but it provides a 4 voice midi to cv interface in addition to being a teletype output expander.
I'm going to get an ansible too, not for a monome but it provides a 4 voice midi to cv interface in addition to being a teletype output expander.
oh wow, TIL. I always assumed it connected to a grid with the usb in front. I was looking at teletypes, anisible, and white whales the other day and was frankly a bit confused by the product line and how everything interrelates (even more confused than I realized, I guess!)geremyf wrote:Absolutely. In fact, a monome cannot even hookup directly to a teletype. I don't have a monome but a teletype + telelxi expander. I bought them to control the e370 I have on order and it has been a revelation.
I'm going to get an ansible too, not for a monome but it provides a 4 voice midi to cv interface in addition to being a teletype output expander.
- authorless
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Ratcheting/repeating has a rather large focus, no? Perhaps that column should be changed to something like Grid Flexibility and then include one or more of the following:
- xox style
- ratcheting
- clock division and multiplication
- variable step and gate duration
- 4/4-only vs any meter
- and so on
And then perhaps one more column for Meta Sequencing?
- pattern sequencing
- randomization
- direction changes
- looping
- xox style
- ratcheting
- clock division and multiplication
- variable step and gate duration
- 4/4-only vs any meter
- and so on
And then perhaps one more column for Meta Sequencing?
- pattern sequencing
- randomization
- direction changes
- looping
Last edited by akrylik on Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Not sure if it belongs in the list but Ladik's sequencer series of modules may be of interest (which allows you to kind of build your own sequencer):
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-s-1 ... -sequencer
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-s-1 ... -for-s-180
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-s-1 ... -for-s-180
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-s-1 ... -for-s-180
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-s-1 ... -w-sliders
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-s-1 ... -sequencer
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-s-1 ... -for-s-180
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-s-1 ... -for-s-180
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-s-1 ... -for-s-180
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/ladik-s-1 ... -w-sliders
- neonmercury1
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Of course there’s really no standard terminology to follow. “Tracks” is pretty common, and seems no worse than the other suggestions.Timmy wrote:I think "tracks" is a bit ambiguous. Does that mean "channels" or "stored sequences"? Maybe change "tracks" to "channels", "outputs per track" to "outputs per channel", and add a column for "number of stored sequences"?
I’ll ponder the “stored sequences” idea, although that could get confusing, fast. (And I’ll add that I have yet to see a Eurorack sequencer with a compelling system for storage—this is one of my current peeves.)
It didn’t used to, but I see they recently added that feature! Will update.geremyf wrote:Metropolis has ratcheting as well as repeat.
Thanks. I’ll see what I can do.geremyf wrote: It's nice to see a table like this where they are all on one page, and for purchasing a first sequencer it may be enough. However, more detail could be added. Things like support for din sync, slide type, max voltage (octave) range, etc.
I’m going to just take your word on Teletype and add it.
Everyone seems a little confused. (Monome is a company, not a product. And they’re a damned confusing company, too. Brilliant, perhaps, but confusing.) Anyway, they offer the Grid and Arc controllers. My impression is that the White Whale, Earthsea and Meadowphysics modules are all discontinued, replaced with Ansible.mirth23 wrote: h wow, TIL. I always assumed it connected to a grid with the usb in front. I was looking at teletypes, anisible, and white whales the other day and was frankly a bit confused by the product line and how everything interrelates (even more confused than I realized, I guess!)
I may be mistaken, but as far as I can tell, the 155 only supports gates that are the duration of the entire step. I suppose that’s a bit arbitrary (does the DU-SEQ really do “better”?) Will ponder.authorless wrote:Lol, what?
I’ll see what I can do, although some of these are probably too specific or can’t really be compared reasonably.akrylik wrote: Ratcheting/repeating has a rather large focus, no? Perhaps that column should be changed to something like Grid Flexibility and then include one or more of the following:
- xox style
- ratcheting
- clock division and multiplication
- variable step and gate duration
- 4/4-only vs any meter
- and so on
And then perhaps one more column for Meta Sequencing?
- pattern sequencing
- randomization
- direction changes
- looping
All these sequencers support quantization except where noted. I’ll try to add something about microtonal support, though—that’s a good one.akrylik wrote: How about the sequencer's relationship with pitch?
- quantized vs unquantized
- microtonal vs chromatic-only
- user scales
Will add.hovercraft wrote:Nice work! Thanks. You might add the Social Entropy Engine to the external list. Also, the Fluxus One has a modulation output, arps are only one of the modulation options. It'll also output LFOs and envelopes.
I’m not sure either, but I’ll study it.basicbasic wrote:Not sure if it belongs in the list but Ladik's sequencer series of modules may be of interest (which allows you to kind of build your own sequencer)
René doesn’t really meet the requirements because it doesn’t quite support gate sequencing in conjunction with CV sequencing. It has gate processing/filtering features, but can’t actually generate a gate by itself. I’m almost splitting hairs here, I know, but I also know René very well at this point—it’s been my primary sequencer for a couple years now.neonmercury1 wrote:what about rene?
Maybe "tracks/channels" to distinguish it from "tracks/songs"?mdoudoroff wrote:Of course there’s really no standard terminology to follow. “Tracks” is pretty common, and seems no worse than the other suggestions.Timmy wrote:I think "tracks" is a bit ambiguous. Does that mean "channels" or "stored sequences"? Maybe change "tracks" to "channels", "outputs per track" to "outputs per channel", and add a column for "number of stored sequences"?
I’ll ponder the “stored sequences” idea, although that could get confusing, fast. (And I’ll add that I have yet to see a Eurorack sequencer with a compelling system for storage—this is one of my current peeves.)
Anyway, Sequins in O&C can store 4 sets of sequences which can then be chained in various ways to provide a sequence of up to 64 steps - so 64 rather than 16 steps is probably more accurate. By "store" I mean the sequences are saved to the flash memory on the module and thus persist after turning the power off and back on again.
Such comparison tables always end up being much more complex and involved than they seem at first glance, and it is impossible to keep everyone happy about what is being compared and how each data item is defined...
In typical analog fashion, the A-155 gate lengths are exactly the same as the pulse length of the incoming clock. So you can vary the gate length by changing the pulse width of the incoming clock.mdoudoroff wrote:I may be mistaken, but as far as I can tell, the 155 only supports gates that are the duration of the entire step. I suppose that’s a bit arbitrary (does the DU-SEQ really do “better”?) Will ponder.authorless wrote:Lol, what?
Nice list!
The Eloquencer has repeats as well (as a "step mode").

The Eloquencer has repeats as well (as a "step mode").
LPs released January 2021 - Screen Phoenix - Ethiopian Scared Mechanical & Laserost - Oppussingsokkultister
Soundcloud // Eurorack module demos // MarsMelons - label // Video synth stuff
Soundcloud // Eurorack module demos // MarsMelons - label // Video synth stuff
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Orbitals is discontinued. I’ve added Moskwa, with some misgivings. Moskwa straddles the line between a “heavy duty sequencer” and a utility sequencer (of which there are zillions). I am worried about scope creep. But for now, it’s there.Jumbuktu wrote:Great work, but what about hex-inverter orbitals? And xaoc moskwa?
I’ve clarified the table somewhat and will continue to try to tighten it. It’s going to take a lot of work before the thing really stabilizes.Timmy wrote:Maybe "tracks/channels" to distinguish it from "tracks/songs"?
Anyway, Sequins in O&C can store 4 sets of sequences which can then be chained in various ways to provide a sequence of up to 64 steps - so 64 rather than 16 steps is probably more accurate. By "store" I mean the sequences are saved to the flash memory on the module and thus persist after turning the power off and back on again.
Such comparison tables always end up being much more complex and involved than they seem at first glance, and it is impossible to keep everyone happy about what is being compared and how each data item is defined...
Yes, this table can never be more than a starting point. I’ve even added a caveat at the top regarding that.
Yeah, I know. I’ve added the A-155 for now, but with some misgivings. We’ll see how it wears.akrylik wrote:In typical analog fashion, the A-155 gate lengths are exactly the same as the pulse length of the incoming clock. So you can vary the gate length by changing the pulse width of the incoming clock.
I’ve added the multistage, but with misgivings. I felt doing so also obliged me to add the Control Forge. This may, in turn, oblige me to add René and god knows what else in the future. I don’t mind if it’s constructive.justintonation wrote:The verbos voltage multistage has independent gate length and pitch cv. Plus slew per step. And some other cool features.
I know you are focusing "inrack" but this is starting to intrigue me..
http://www.kilpatrickaudio.com/?p=carbon
http://www.kilpatrickaudio.com/?p=carbon
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Thanks. I understand the issue of scope creep.mdoudoroff wrote:Orbitals is discontinued. I’ve added Moskwa, with some misgivings. Moskwa straddles the line between a “heavy duty sequencer” and a utility sequencer (of which there are zillions). I am worried about scope creep. But for now, it’s there.Jumbuktu wrote:Great work, but what about hex-inverter orbitals? And xaoc moskwa?
Pity Orbitals is no more. It was a brilliant sequencer for a reasonable price.