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"
Yamaha TX816 SN 3191
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
Additional Tone Tweakers Listings, also on Reverb
"This one contains 7 TF1 modules - each of these modules is contains the synth engine from the original vintage Yamaha DX7.
A new set of batteries was soldered in place so you shouldn't have to pay anyone to do this now or worry about losing your patches anytime soon. The same bank of patches has been loaded into each of the TF1 modules. Properly tested post-servicing and working and sounding great!"
via this auction
Additional Tone Tweakers Listings, also on Reverb
"This one contains 7 TF1 modules - each of these modules is contains the synth engine from the original vintage Yamaha DX7.
A new set of batteries was soldered in place so you shouldn't have to pay anyone to do this now or worry about losing your patches anytime soon. The same bank of patches has been loaded into each of the TF1 modules. Properly tested post-servicing and working and sounding great!"
Roland VP-330 MKII Vocoder Plus w/ Music Sheet Stand & Original Box
MOOG MiniMoog Voyager Electric Blue Edition SN EB2559 w/ Original Box
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"The Minimoog Voyager is a handcrafted, all-analog performance synthesizer that incorporates the features and incredible sonic range of the original Minimoog, while adding a vast number of new functional improvements to its design. And just like the original Minimoog, the Minimoog Voyager was designed and brought to life by synthesizer pioneer, Bob Moog."
via this auction
"The Minimoog Voyager is a handcrafted, all-analog performance synthesizer that incorporates the features and incredible sonic range of the original Minimoog, while adding a vast number of new functional improvements to its design. And just like the original Minimoog, the Minimoog Voyager was designed and brought to life by synthesizer pioneer, Bob Moog."
MOOG Minimoog Voyager w/ Gig Bag
Moog Minimoog Model D Synthesizer...2022 Reissue...Appalachian Cherry
Shakmat Jeweler Cast: Demo
video upload by Shakmat
"The Jeweler Cast melts, bends, and chisels all types of signals, audio, or CV. Composed of two independent sections, the Mix, and the Shaper, the Jeweler Cast combines a ring modula- tor, a crossfader, a wavefolder and a distortion. Thanks to its tool ensemble, this fully analog yet compact module can manipulate basic waveforms and complex signals in infinite ways."
Variable Clock Sequencer
video upload by KellerDev
"I changed the code for the sequencer to have more versatile random variable clock capabilities. I will upload the code to my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kellerdev"
Tasty Leads with GROUND CONTROL standalone (recreating Boards of Canada and Daft Punk)
video upload by Endorphin.es
"We are back with another supercharged SH-101 style system controlled by our flagship sequencer Ground Control in a standalone format. As always, we will break down 2 tracks by Boards of Canada and Daft Punk and will show you how easy it is to integrate external keyboards with your Ground Control."
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH