MATRIXSYNTH: Qu-bit Electronix


Showing posts with label Qu-bit Electronix. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Qu-bit Electronix. Show all posts

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Exploring Effects in the Eurorack World!


video upload by The Unperson

"In today's video I'm exploring the wonderful world of effects. Modular effects can be more creative than guitar pedals due to the ability control, clock, and modulate the parameters. In the video I explore some creative patch techniques using effects and making make some tunes with some of my favourite modules!

CONTENT
0:00 - Intro
1:27 - Chorus
3:09 - Reverb
6:05 - Modulate Reverb
8:45 - Clocked Delays
11:50 - Beads!
14:39 - Combining Effects
18:28 - Outro"

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Interlocking hands: Minimalist generative piano (Qu-bit Bloom, Disting EX)


video upload by Electrum Modular

"Recently I’ve been playing minimalist pieces on the piano (Phillip Glass, Howard Skempton) that involve both polyrhythms and overlapping hands.
For this video, I transferred the idea to my modular system, splitting an F minor sixth chord across two sequencer channels, and clocking the channels at different rates (x2, x3).
The sequencer (Qu-bit Bloom) generates 64 variations on this pattern, a stage sequencer selects 12 of them, and a multisample player (Disting EX) performs them. Further details in the patch notes.

Other modules used:
Disting mk4
Dnipro Metamorph
ALM’s Pamela’s New Workout
Doepfer sequential switch"

Friday, January 05, 2024

Ambient Improvisation | Ableton Air & Modular Synth


video upload by Akihiko Matsumoto

Ambient / Noise Works for YouTube https://akihikomatsumoto.bandcamp.com...
Sequencer: https://akihiko-matsumoto.gumroad.com...
Synth1: Pianoteq
FX: Modular Synth

Monday, November 13, 2023

Manhattan Bridge Subway Ride (N & Q trains) with original music


video upload by CatSynth TV

"The view looking south from an eastbound subway train over the Manhattan Bridge in New York, with original music. The southern side of the bridge carries tracks for the N and Q lines of the New York City subway.

Filmed in January 2023

The music is built around the original sound from the subway rides. Instrumentation includes:
Arturia EFX Fragments
Tracktion KULT
Cherry Audio Mercury 6 and Stardust 201 delay
Jaymar toy piano
Landscape Stereo Field
Strymon Starlab
QuBit Prism
John Cage Prepared Piano from Big Fish Audio (Kontakt)
EastWest Hollywood Orchestra Solo Cello"

Sunday, October 29, 2023

The Tappan Zee (Gov. Mario M. Cuomo) Bridge - I-87, I-287, and NYS Thruway


video upload by CatSynth TV

"A ride along I-287, I-87 and the New York State Thruway westbound in Westchester and Rockland Counties, just north of New York City. Along the way we cross over the Hudson River on the Tappan Zee Bridge, also known as the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The original Tappan Zee Bridge open in 1955 - it was only designed for a life span of 50 years, and was showing signs of decay by the 2000s. It was replaced in 2017 by the new twin cable-stayed span that we see in this video.

Filmed in October 2023, with pockets of fall foliage colors visible.

Original music by Amanda Chaudhary, featuring drums by G Calvin Weston and Amanda Chaudhary on synthesizers and electronics:
QuBit Prism
Cherry Audio Elka-X and Sines
Arturia Pigments, Melltron V, and Stage 73
EastWest Ministry of Rock 2 (bass)
Strymon StarLab
E350 Morphing Terrarium
Rossum Eletro-music Morpheus
Metasonix R-54 Supermodule
Big Fish Audio Grindhouse

0:00 Introduction
0:25 I-287 (Cross Westchester Expressway)
1:33 Merging with I-87 and the New York State Thruway
2:32 The Tappan Zee (Gov Mario M Cuomo) Bridge
4:00 Rockland County

please consider supporting us:
Store: https://shop.catsynth.com
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/catsynth
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/catsynth"

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Eurorack granular synthesis module comparison


video upload by John Schussler

"I've had Beads for a long time but have never really gelled with it. More recently I've acquired Brinta and Mojave, so it seemed like time to come to grips with granular in general, and these modules in particular.

This is a *very* basic comparison based on me reading through the manuals and spending time wiggling knobs. Each module gets a first pass using a simple Pianophonic sequence, then some time with a more complex audio source using some acoustic material from my last CD, 'The Willow Ladder.'

(Available on Bandcamp at schusslermusic.com, I will note. Nudge nudge.)

I'm really just interested in seeing which one gives me more interesting results with less RTFM'ing. I'm not sufficiently impressed by granular synthesis in general to really grind through any opaque interface designs.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Brinta
13:30 Beads
26:04 Mojave"

Thursday, October 26, 2023

The Grainmakers Playlist


video uploads by Cinematic Laboratory

"This playlist features granular eurorack modules that all need to process the same reference sample. I hope this gives a good impression of what the modules can do for you. They're all different, they're all great."

Playlist:

1. Grainmakers Playlist Introduction
I've been working on a huge video over the last few days and when I reached 30 minutes I decided to break it up into a playlist. This is cool! I can make updates and add new modules as they emerge. It's not supposed to be the ultimate grain guide, but it's cool to hear all modules chew on the same sample and hear what comes out. It's easy to be impressed by a bad module with a great soundsource, or underwhelmed by an amazing module that need to process something unworthy of its grains. So it all comes down to what they have to offer. And there are no bad modules. It's great fun to hear how a standard concept can turn into completely different experiences. So this is just a short playlist introduction.
2. Mutable Instruments Beads | Grainmakers Playlist
In this episode, Beads needs to chew on a reference performance.
Beads is an effect, but it can process an internal wavetable synth on its own.
3. Qu-Bit Nebulae V2 | Grainmakers Playlist
Our next contender in the playlist is the Qu-Bit Nebulae. It may be a bit underappreciated, but wow. A unique feature is elastic audio for time stretching.
4. Qu-Bit Mojave | Grainmakers Playlist
Next, Mojave needs to chew on Sebastian Lexer's grand piano.
5. Loopers | Lubadh & Morphagene | Grainmakers Playlist
Loopers are often confused with granular synths, especially with the Morphagene. Loopers don't grain or spray, they're digital tape machines.
Sometimes, when you think you're into grains, you'd actually been looking for a looper. It's time to show the difference, so they're an important addition to the lineup.
6. 1010Music BitBox MK2 | Grainmakers Playlist
The BitBox may not seem an obvious choice for granular processing, but if this playlist were a competition, then BitBox MK2 would be the King of the Grainfields. Granular processing offers limited CV support in the current firmware, but the sheer processing power is almost an insult to the other modules. Fortunately, it can't offer the hands-on experience like dedicated modules.
7. Error Instruments x TINRS Brinta | Grainmakers Playlist

8. Melotus Versio | Grainmakers Playlist
It's a Versio. What can I say. Awkward, special, amazing and breathtaking. It's unique feature is no pitch control. While this sounds like a flaw, it's almost a musthave feature when you run notes, effects and chords through it. Don't touch the melody. Just make it grain. Top 3 module in my list. And if it doesn't fit your needs, install a different firmware! If you own a different Versio, give it a shot. Nothing creates techno atmospheres and backdrops like Melotus.
9. MISO Cornflakes | Grainmakers Playlist
This is the last one for today :). Still a few more modules to cover, but it's already a great list. Here's MISO Cornflakes chewing on the Lexer piano. Again, it's a totally different experience, because Cornflakes adds special harmonizing features and stacking of grains. No other module has it - as far as I know. It can make wonderful new sounds from something familiar.
10. Instruo Arbhar V2 | Grainmakers Playlist
I already made plenty of Arbhar videos, but this is the second V2 video. In this playlist, all granular modules in my collection need to process the same audio file so it's easy to figure out what they do. Now it's Arbhar's turn.
11. Clouds & Clones | Grainmaker Playlist
This playlist would not be complete without a tribute to Clouds, one of the first modules in Eurorack that brought grains to the case. Clouds was launched in 2015 and discontinued in 2017. But that wasn't the end of it. It's been revived and extended in many forms, making it one of the most successful modules in Eurorack even today. From a techical perspective, Clouds is no match for the modern grainmakers in this playlist. But from the perspective of production value it's still a super useful module, especially if you manage to install the Parasite firmware. It's easy to forget that granular synthesis doesn't need big buffers. Sometimes a small 1 sec buffer is exactly what you need to get that desirable classic granular stream.
12. Combinations | Grainmaker Playlist
I got a question if Lubadh and Mojave would make a good combo. I had no idea. I figured this whole playlist is still 1-dimensional. So I patched these two up and then and I just had to make this video! I am still using the reference track so you get a good idea of how big the sonic playground becomes when you combine any looper with any granular engine. Results may vary, but wow. The bottom of the Rabbit Hole simply has a doorway to the next one. And it always gets deeper than the one before.
13. ADDAC 112 | Grainmakers Playlist
I may have unintentionally kept the best for last. The 112 combines a looper and granular engine in one big module. This is the last entry in the playlist.
The 112 will return soon for a dedicated video with some carefully selected samples to play with.
14. I missed a few | Grainmakers Playlist
After finishing the 112 video I was confident I covered enough 'grainmakers' in this playlist. I doublechecked if Disting EX and Phonogene should be in it, but no. The third one definitely needs to be on it! It doesn't show up when you search for 'granular' on ModularGrid, but it immediately went to my personal top #2.

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Exploring QU-BIT MOJAVE! Live Granular Processing!


video upload by The Unperson

"Today's video explores a new player on the granular scene - the Qu-Bit Electronics Mojave! I've only had the module for about a week or so and I was learning on-the-go while making this video - the manual was never far away. There's definitely more to explore with this module so stay tuned for more videos!

Ally

#eurorack #granular #modular #synth

CONTENT
0:00 - Intro
2:26 - Overview
7:16 - Instant Polyphony
10:37 - Feedback Madness
14:30 - Radio Sampling
18:59 - Orchestral Sounds
22:32 - Outro"

Friday, October 20, 2023

Qu-Bit Mojave | Live Granular Sandstorm


video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"It's not easy to make a Mojave video after doing one about Arbhar V2. First, let me clearify that Mojave is an effect that needs a source, and Arbhar is more like a granular synth that can run completely by itself. I will clear this up in the forthcoming Grainstation 2 video with a big compare of synths vs effects. I am not sponsored so I can share my personal thoughts on this.

Mojave is great for processing rhythmic atonal sounds like percussion or found sounds. It's not ideal for processing melodic phrases because it's hard to keep in tune. There's no typical harmonic spread but somekind of random sequence generator that follows a scale. So it can suddendly behave like a granular engine with a built in 'Marbles' and you have no control over what's going on except shutting it up. If you're in the wrong scale, it can go major in a minor patch. It's designed for live, but it can easily trash your gig too.

But don't get me wrong, Mojave is definitely a keeper. This video is a journey where I slowly learn to understand and deeply appreciate the module.

If you already own Beads, you may want to skip Mojave because they're roughly on the same functional and sonic level. If you're completely new to granular, you need to figure out if you want an effect or a synth. Mojave has no storage, it doesn't remember anything when the power goes down. And if you're serious about live graining (and sustaining) real acoustic instruments, forget about the built-in mic and get a decent stereo field recorder with audio out. However, since Mojave has no storage, I'd recommend having a sample player nearby and store your field recordings there."

You can find additional Qu-Bit Mojave posts here.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Mojave: Manual Patch Examples


video upload by Qu - Bit

"Follow along with Michael, the man behind the Mojave manual, as he brings the manual's patch examples to life!"

00:00 Introduction
00:19 Basic Granular Texturizer
02:29 Instant Polyphony
04:27 Granular Looper
07:03 Feedback Fundamentals

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Qu-bit Introduces Mojave Live Granular Processor Eurorack Module


Tutorial 1: Getting Started video upload by Qu - Bit

00:00 Introduction
01:18 Let's get started with Clock modes, Rate, Gen triggers and how to get grains moving.
02:36 Other ways to trigger grains? Hello, Gen Modes!
03:36 SIZE!
04:26 Don't forget to shut the window. Or, maybe open it?
05:04 Speed: Wait, we can pitch-shift grains?
05:39 Zone: Grains from the present and the past. (Too fun.)
06:35 The relationship between Distribute and Structure.
08:02 Take control of quantization with Sky modes.
09:06 I want my grains to jump around! Drift is your friend.
09:37 Whirl creates a universe in stereo. No, really.
10:03 TWO end-of-chain effects - Feedback and Reverb!
11:17 TWO freeze functions!
13:02 Dune: Mojave's unique CV/Gate output
13:38 Oh, we didn't tell you there's a mic on Mojave?
14:33 Patch Example - "Gypsum"
15:00 Patch Example - "Mic-Check"
15:56 Patch Example - "Interstellar Beats"
___________________________________________

https://www.qubitelectronix.com/

Press release follows:



SAN CLEMENTE, CA, USA: Q-Bit Electronix is proud to announce availability of the Mojave module as its latest Daisy platform- based Eurorack entry — effectively kicking up a granular sandstorm as a live granular processor drawing inspiration from vast swathes of its American Southwest desert namesake by using microscopic bits of audio to create beautifully-crafted sonic landscapes while reinventing the way we interact with sound, seriously backing up the self-proclaimed ‘Future Coast’ modular synth-maker’s philosophy of building bespoke devices that push the boundaries of design beyond what is presently possible in the process — as of October 10…

It is fair to say that Mojave is a stereo live granular processor at its creative core, but, in reality, it is capable of so much more — not least when being pressed into play as a stochastic event generator. Mojave makes it possible for explorative users to patch together feedback-driven glitch textures or compose harmonic symphonies from a single droning oscillator. Other possibilities include creating a granular delay or scrubbing a locked audio buffer to create time-stretching effects — and all directly from the front panel of this 14HP-wide module.

Mojave can — in many ways — behave exactly like other granular processors, but what sets it apart in this realm is its ability to take complex granular manipulations and make then accessible to even the most novice of users. “Our first module ever was Nebulae, a granular looper; we've always wanted to do a fully-committed, live granular processor but with a ‘New-Bit’ twist,” confirms Qu-Bit Electronix CEO — and company co-founder — Andrew Ikenberry. Indeed, that ‘New-Bit’ moniker really reflects the company’s collective internal name for its new design philosophy of focusing on hands-on, approachable devices that leave room for users to push their own technique and explore sound design in new ways.

With this in mind, Mojave is no exception to this rule; for its front panel includes the fundamental controls for generating and manipulating grains — themselves the tiny building blocks of granular synthesis. Adjust a grain size, shape, and generation rate while also having control over the grain pitch, the position in time where the grain grabs audio, and the audio playback direction. Though these controls are essentially found in any granular processor, they only scratch the surface of Mojave’s potential.

Put it this way, then: the key to Mojave’s magic resides in the controls at the centre of the module. The two larger knobs there are absolute attention-grabbers — and for good reason, providing aleatoric grain manipulations in exciting, unquestionably ‘Qu-Bity’ ways. Turn the distribute knob to add rhythmic displacement to the grain rate; depending on which Mojave mode is selected, distribute’s displacement can either be asynchronous movements through time or quantised ratchets, repeats, and rolls that liven up the simplest of rhythms. Representing the flip side of the granular coin, as it were, the structure knob adjusts each grain’s pitch within a defined system. structure can — at its smallest setting — provide subtle semitone pitch changes, perfect for thickening up a sound, creating chorus/flanging effects, and more. But by turning up structure beyond halfway, Mojave begins to sing. structure starts to play through a quantised scale, introducing arpeggios and trills as the knob ventures further up; with the grain size large enough for grains to overlap, Mojave effortlessly transforms into a polyphonic sound generator — regardless of input.

Said structure knob and its rate (speed) neighbour are connected to Mojave’s Sky Mode — itself selected using the button in between distribute and structure — that determines what scale Mojave is quantised to. The default modes include major, minor, and chromatic scales, as well as the aptly-named, non-quantised Twilight Mode. Moreover, each mode will be fully customisable — alongside a host of configurable settings — within Narwhal, Q-Bit Electronix’s module web app (https://narwhal.qubitelectronix.com/) for custom settings.

Since Mojave boasts true stereo I/O, it includes a couple of controls that emphasise this characteristic. drift does exactly as its name implies; it drifts the grains through the audio buffer, and the more the knob is turned, the more Mojave begins to slip into the past, grabbing random bits of audio from both signal channels to fill its grains. An adjacent whirl control provides random stereo panning to each generated grain; the more this knob is turned, the more frequent and wider the grains are panned, creating huge stereo sounds from any sound source — stereo or monophonic.

Mojave has more than one way to inject sound into its granular sandstorm, speaking of sound sources. Indeed, it even has an onboard, high-quality MEMS (Micro- Electro-Mechanical System) microphone that is positioned just above its USB port; simply removing any patch cables from Mojave’s audio inputs makes the microphone active, ready to pick up any acoustic audio! Try talking or singing into Mojave — or even play an acoustic instrument in a live setting — to bring granular flair to compositions.

Clearly, then, Mojave is primarily designed for live granular processing, yet users are afforded an ability to not only freeze the grains in place for glitch stutter effects, but they are also able to lock the audio buffer in place, thereby using Mojave as a granular buffer scrub; Mojave — at the right settings — can even mimic the time- stretching effects of its bigger granular sampler and DSP (Digital Signal Processing) platform sibling, Nebulae, now benefitting from v2.1.2 firmware itself. It is worth noting here that future firmware updates and alternative firmware for Mojave are accessible via its USB drive.

Meanwhile, Mojave’s granular engine can generate a plethora of audio effects that will transform any sound. Saying that, Q-Bit Electronix even included one final end-of- chain control to add some sparkle to an already dazzling device — namely, the gust knob. Which way it is turned determines control over either an internal feedback loop designed to tear grains apart in the best way or a lush reverb effect to fill the voids between the audio — alternatively, granular-textures-into-a-wash-of sound-morphing.

“Mojave is the module that’s gotten me excited about patching again,” admits Andrew Ikenberry, alluding to its configurable dune CV/Gate output and more connectivity besides, before enthusiastically continuing towards a natural conclusion: “There is something to be said about designing individual aspects of a module, not fully knowing how each part will interact with another; as such, Mojave has created sounds that I’ve never heard before, and it’s this journey into the unknown that — as a designer — gives me the opportunity to sit down and discover every corner of this amazing device along with everyone else.”

Check with dealers on the right for availability.

Saturday, October 07, 2023

Circadia - Live - Octatrack & Eurorack Modular, LXR, Kickain, Ghost


video upload by Abre Ojos

"Live hardware jam with Eurorack modular synth & Octatrack.

Circadian Rhythms - from sleep/dream to wake to the waking day back to sleep/dream

138bpm synth tech-noise industrial doom house

Eurorack: Knobula Kickain, Endorphins Ghost & SQWRK Dirty, 4MS Spherical Wavetable, Qu-Bit Scanned, Erica Synths LXR, 2hp Verb & Noise Engineering Basimilas Iteritas Alter & Terci Ruina

Elektron Octatrack as performance mixer (thanks EZBOT)

Video processed live through Resolume

Shot with GH5 MKII

Dark ambient audiovisual stuff: https://abreojos.net
Noisy layered drone techno: https://dronskot.net"

Friday, July 28, 2023

Patching: A Chance to Bloom


video upload by Qu - Bit

"In this patch-from-scratch edition of our Patching playlist, we're using Chance to keep Bloom a little more interesting.
Using Chord as our voice, check out how we can transform a simple sequence into something memorable with a few adjustments from Chance!

About 'Patching'.
This series continues to be a reminder to us, and hopefully to you:
Take the time to stumble in the dark a little...figure something out...control some voltage...
...enjoy PATCHING.

In our videos:
Purple cables = audio
Blue cables = CV/gate
White cables = clock
_________________________________________________
Modules in this setup are:

Cascade - ratcheting envelope generator, VCA, and sound source
Contour - quad envelope generator
Prism - DSP effect, filter, and looper
Nebulae - granular sampler and DSP platform
Chord - 4 voice polyphonic wavetable synth
Chance - clock-synced random voltage generator
Surface - multi-timbral physical modeling voice
Kick - bass drum synthesizer from 2HP
Nano Rand - random voltage generator, sample and hold, noise source
Buff - buffered mult from 2HP
Bloom - fractal Sequencer
Nautilus - stereo delay with 8 unique delay lines
Aurora - spectral reverb, phase vocoder
Data Bender - circuit bent digital audio buffer
Synapse - crossfading switch with dynamic routing
VCA - two channel VCA from 2HP
AVert - dual attenuverter from 2HP"

Friday, June 09, 2023

Patching: Creative Clocks


video upload by Qu - Bit

"In this sample-based patch, we're getting a lot out of the Sonar output on Nautilus.
It's a "lively" signal, so we've attenuated it a little before sending it to the Rate on Bloom.
You can see Blooms' clock go wacky (as in, awesome) as Sonar churns out stepped random goodness.

About 'Patching'.
This series continues to be a reminder to us, and hopefully to you:
Take the time to stumble in the dark a little...figure something out...control some voltage...
...enjoy PATCHING.
In our videos (moving forward from this one):
Purple cables = audio
Blue cables = CV/gate
White cables = clock"

Sunday, May 21, 2023

How to Use Qu-Bit Nautilus: "Gamelan From Heaven"


video upload by Baséput

"Hi everyone, welcome to my channel of modular synthesizers, Baséput.

Here is the index:

00:00 Introduction
02:30 Dry signal, gamelan sounds
03:14 Mix knob
03:25 Feedback knob
04:12 Resolution knob
04:48 Clock-in button
05:21 Teaser for part 2
05:38 Sensors and Dispersal
08:41 Beautiful panel!
09:18 Reversal knob
10:44 Play along with Nautilus
12:14 Comparison with/without Nautilus
13:08 Conclusion

Finally, I can play with this fantastic delay/echo from Qu-Bit Electronix - Nautilus!"

How I Use Qu-Bit Nautilus: "Elegiac Vocal" (Part 2)

video upload by

"Hi everyone, welcome to my channel of modular synthesizers, Baséput. Here is Part 2 of Qu-Bit Nautilus and the index:

00:00 Introduction
01:46 Clean signal
02:59 Sensors
03:55 Dispersal
04:50 Resolution
05:22 Reversal
08:02 Chroma & depth
11:58 My favourite setting
12:37 Nautilus in a song"

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Eurorack feat. Access Virus TI2: 3 Minutes Trance Jam


video upload by lucafrancinimusic

"Quick and dirty trance jam with Eurorack, with the external help of the Virus TI2 Hypersaw."

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Patching: Resonant Bubbles


video upload by Qu - Bit

"A simple sequence from Surface, our full synth voice, turns to resonant bubbly-ness* in just a few moves from Prism (our stereo filter) and Nautilus (delay magic-sauce).

About 'Patching'.
This series continues to be a reminder to us, and hopefully to you:
Take the time to stumble in the dark a little...figure something out...control some voltage...
...enjoy PATCHING.

The conversation on our forum that inspired this patch is here:
https://tinyurl.com/4reu7mk9"

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Eurorack: Ethereal Glitches with Chord V2 - Data Bender - Nautilus


video upload by lucafrancinimusic

"I've recently got a few modules for my new Eurorack case and this is the first video with all of them. The patch notes are in the video and below:

I've programmed 4 chords in Qu-Bit Chord V2 and I've stored them in the User bank. The two 4-steps sequences from Bloom select the chord and the root note.
Mixup is used to sum all four Outs (3rd and 5th are patched in Mixup stereo Ins to get a wide stereo image of the chord pad).

Mother-32 is sequenced by Intellijel Metropolix (the master clock of this patch), it goes into Data Bender and to Cosmix Pro where it receives a touch of Nautilus delay, which is patched as parallel fx in the mixer.

Chances modulates the cutoff frequency of Mother-32.

This video is NOT sponsored by any of the brands visible and mentioned throughout this video."

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Forwards by one


video upload by UncertainMusicCorps

"Longform transmission from the Drone Table.

Radio reception from WebSRD.
Participants: Norns (Dronecaster script), Drone Commander, WIngie, Aurora, Strega and RetroVerb"

Thursday, March 16, 2023

The 'Right' Sequencer | Modular Composing | Episode 02


video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Your possibilities to compose on a Modular Synth are directly related to the sequencer you're using. So picking the 'right' sequencer for your work is an important task. Your biggest challenge would be to compose or arrange a full song with beats, bass, lead and maybe even chords. I thought it would be fun to use Kraftwerk's 1976 Trans-Europe Express as a 'benchmark', but it turned out a big challenge. It has a simple rhythm (no problem), a super simple bass, a lead and the characteristic 'note ladder' that jumps 5 semitones each 1/2 note. This takes 128 regular steps and sequencers ususally stop at 16, 32 or 64 (if you're lucky). Clock divisions could take care of that. But the song transposes to a different key when the 'note stairs' plays and you'll need a powerful sequencer to transpose all voices to a new key and then turn back. Ground Control and Westlicht Performer couldn't pull it off. I had zero knowledge of NerdSeq at the beginning of this video, but it turned out to be the only sequencer I know of that can do a full song. It's an incredible sequencer/tracker, but it also has a 100+ page manual.

Sequencers roughly come in three flavors: linear, cartesian and arbitrary. The most useful sequencers can do drums, strict patterns and generative parts. I've included Five12 Vector and Eloquencer in my overview, but I have no experience with them. My 'findings' in this video are biased by my own music and workflow and I double-checked the manuals of modules I don't know. It's possible I overlooked some features. I am aware Vector can do drums, but I felt you'd need a dedicated drum pattern editor to qualify as a drum sequencer.

00:00 Song Structure
00:22 Trans-Europe Express (TEE) - Ground Control
01:45 TEE - Westlicht Performer
02:48 TEE - XOR NerdSEQ
04:54 Separation of rhythm and melody - Metron & Bloom
07:30 Linear, Cartesian and Arbitrary sequencing
08:22 Generative Sequencing - NerdSEQ
09:44 Generative Sequencing - Bloom
10:42 Generative Sequencing - Westlicht Performer
11:25 Generatice Sequencing - Rene MK2
13:17 Arbitrary Sequencing - Frap Tools USTA
14:54 Melodicer short
15:18 Metropolis Family short
16:31 Scorecards"
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