Korg Forums

Mag66 · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject: Hardware Sequencer - Whats good?

In the coming months, I am going to need to take a hardware sequencer out on the road to accompany my Oasys, 2500RS and JD990... (and yes, I know I could use the O's sequencer but to be honest I'd prefer something else at this point in time..) so I've been looking around and apart from the 8800 (which is really more money than I care to spend.. along with the fact I really don't need the sampling facilities though I love it's screen and mouse interface) I'm not sure what else I should be looking at. The MPC's really seem more sample based than sequencer... and something like the Electribe series, don't really match my tastes in terms of editing etc..

I've thought about the MC-808 but don't know much about them... so that might be a possibility I suppose..

So, suggestions in case I have overlooked something?

I'd prefer two midi outs... (32 midi channels) though I could live with just one.. and it should be easy to record and edit in both real time and step time. I don't need sampling and I don't need built in sounds... though obviously, if the sequencer has them and is within my budget then so be it..

Price.. under $1000... So thoughts anyone?

Cheers..

Nigel
_________________
Nigel Sixsmith
The Art Of Sound Studios
Gilbert, AZ

The Art Of Sound Website **UPDATED: 1st FEB 2008**

MBP 17", M-Audio Midisport 8X8 Oasys88, Karma, Triton Classic, and a whole bunch of other keyboards, modules, racks, software + such

Sina172 · Platinum Member Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 1194

.......

Derm · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject:

I've looked around at whats available hardware wise and here in Europe the MV8800 is €2000, thats about $2700, ouch! I cant justify that, plus it does have a lot of stuff that I dont need, CD burning etc.
While it may be a great sequencer, it would mean I would be paying that much on top of the Oasys price to compensate for the woeful state of the Oasys sequencer. So it looks like back to software & the computer for me.
_________________
http://www.myspace.com/theparlezmusic
www.photoazure.com

Mag66

Daz · Retired Joined: 01 Jan 2002 Posts: 10829

Having spent some time with a friends MPC1K, you should definitely check out the MPC 1000 running either it's native OS or, even better, the custom one from here :

http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mpc1000/

The triggering of drum samples is just one part of it's function, it's also a great little MIDI sequencer. You can have 32 MIDI tracks addressing the 16 channels on of it's pair of MIDI output ports, AT LEAST. You can have many more tracks (99 IIRC) driving those MIDI ports too or kicking the internal sampler. With that custom OS you get a whole bunch of other really useful features too. I was very impressed the little machine, it was far more impressive as a MIDI production environment than any of the workstation sequencers IMHO. The Oasys sequencer is very basic in comparison to the MPC.

Forget the electribes, they are not supposed to be a generic MIDI sequencing solution, they are no good for this application.

Just in case Sharpy doesn't pop up ... I am sure he would recommend the Yamaha QY-300 and it's relatives.

Daz.

Daz · Retired Joined: 01 Jan 2002 Posts: 10829

p.s. I've also looked at the Motif XS sequencer ... it's better than the Korg sequencer in a number of ways IMHO, but also has the limitations of any workstation sequencer in terms of number of addressable tracks and channels. So I suspect that not really an option either. It would be a rather expensive way to get a MIDI sequencer Wink

Mag66 · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject:

Kerzwhile · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject:

What about an old Roland MC-80?? Shocked

_________________
MY Weapons of choice: K2600X, Oasys88, PC3X, K2661, V-Synth, MotifESR, ZR-76, TS-12, VFX, EPS16+,ESQ-1, ESQ-1R, Emu Xtreme Lead, SCI Six Trak, HR-16, Kurzweil Mark 150 Baby Grand and 2 D1600's synced!!!
http://www.soundclick.com/members/default.cfm?member=kerzwhile

Sina172 · Platinum Member Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 1194

...........

Kerzwhile · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject:

No wait here yah go, I have a couple Alesis MMT-8's I'll sell cheap!! Those and a bag of chips will get you 16 tracks!! Shocked

_________________
MY Weapons of choice: K2600X, Oasys88, PC3X, K2661, V-Synth, MotifESR, ZR-76, TS-12, VFX, EPS16+,ESQ-1, ESQ-1R, Emu Xtreme Lead, SCI Six Trak, HR-16, Kurzweil Mark 150 Baby Grand and 2 D1600's synced!!!
http://www.soundclick.com/members/default.cfm?member=kerzwhile

Daz · Retired Joined: 01 Jan 2002 Posts: 10829

About the only downside of the MPC 1K is that it's 96 ppqn, although you're used to the Oasys 192 ppqn you're probably not going to find that so much of a problem ... LOL

It's funny 'cos when I was using it with the custom OS, all the things you guys were begging for in the Oasys were all right there in this little puppy. Cue List, multi-track patterns, piano roll and grid based drum editors, graphical controller editing, MTC sync, dedicated tracks for internal and external sequencing, proper sysex support with the ability to view the messages and even edit them, the ability to record to a different track in realtime without stopping the sequencer etc. etc. etc. All very useable. It tickles me to read comments like you can't do these things on the Oasys touch screen, when the MPC 1000 has the same size LCD as the Triton Le Wink

I started with the thought that it was just a toy for triggering sliced loops, but I was very wrong ... and ended up being massively impressed with it's abilities.

Kontrol49 · Platinum Member Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 1280

Mag66 · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject:

Mag66 · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:31 pm Post subject:

Mag66 · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject: