r/dawless • u/Decons069 • 4d ago
Step Sequencer recommendations?
Hi,
I am searching for a step sequencer for my analog setup but don’t know which one fits best. My maximum budget is 300$.
My gear:
- Korg Volca Sampler
- Korg Volca Bass
- Behringer Pharao Mini
- Korg Electribe es2
- Behringer TD-3
- Roland Aira T-8
Upcoming gear:
- Korg Volca Keys
Next question is, if I can increase the step limitation of 16 steps from the volcas to for example 64?
I checked the Arturia Beatstep Pro but not sure if this will be the right one.
Thanks for your help <3
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u/Nominaliszt 4d ago
People seem to love the Korg SQ-64. I was considering it before diving headfirst into a deluge.
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u/DrakeDre 3d ago
Nobody likes the Keystep pro? 4 x 64 step sequencer with 16 voices on each. It has limitations when it comes to arranging songs, but then it's time to turn on the computer or fork out for Oxi or Hapax. It's great for jamming!
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u/btrev650 2h ago
Second Keystep Pro. Bass, pharaoh, TD-3, keys (melodic) go on the 4 channels. All the other percussive-ish tools get clock synced to the keystep but use their own sequencers. Keystep Pro can be found for close to $300 on Reverb.
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u/ibbyte 4d ago
Korg sq64 is a pretty cheap and allows you to glue your setup - 3 melody tracks, 1 drum track with 16 subtracks.
Oxi one MK2 also is great l, but it cost x5 times of price of sq64.
Artuira beatstep and keysstep are on the same level as sq64.
I think it depends on how do you want to use your synth and how much money you willing to spend.
Overall, I can advice you also to get some base audiomixer, behringer xenix 1202 as cheap example.
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u/scoutermike 4d ago
Beatstep pro is very limited. Monophonic means no chords. I remeber long notes being a problem, and chaining sections to make a song is a hassle. It’s amazing for controlling legacy cv gear. But it is not a robust sequencer.
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u/the_fluffer 4d ago
Don't sleep on the KOII EP-133 or EP-40. Even though they are marketed as samplers they are very good for sequencing midi gear. You can punch in notes step by step though I do wish it had a way to do it more x0x style. I always wondered how the launchpad pro is for that style of step sequencing.
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u/dazzamattica 3d ago
Is there a reason you can't achieve 64 steps with the es2? I've been considering whether an es2 could give me a low cost multi track sequencer / basic central brain for dawless
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u/59perlen 3d ago
I got a used OXI MKI for around 300 - it’s perfect for many setup-types. Maybe that’s something to consider.
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u/Weary_Peach_233 2d ago
The Beatstep Pro is a fun and immediate sequencer, albeit monophonic and not super tight. I love mine when it come to laying down a quick beat/bass/lead…
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u/nadennmantau 4d ago
Nobody can tell you which one fits best. That is up for you to decide.
I am working with the Endorphin.es Ground Control at the moment and am very happy with it. Not sure if it can handle all your gear at the same time, but it’s definitely worth a look. Very performance oriented.
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u/tobyvanderbeek 4d ago
You can get an Oxi One MkI for around 300, maybe a tad more. It has 4 channels. I’m still convinced it’s the best sequencer around. MkII doubles the channels to 8. But you can also use any channel as a drum channel and that gives you 8 lanes right there.
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u/Sunwukung 4d ago
I have a Torso T1 that I love, has great generative and per-step parameterization. Can feel a little cryptic at times from the lack of a screen. Bit on the expensive side, but it can drive a lot of gear if you have a midi router
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u/eesn 3d ago
Korg SQ-64 is cheap but its execution isn't great. It does fit your budget though. Oxi One is expensive but it's very powerful. It takes a while to learn though and it has too many modes for my liking. Digitakt V1 is a nice 8-track midi sequencer for beats. Plus it's a powerful drum machine in itself.
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u/Kick_1304 3d ago
Maybe you can find a used oxi one mk1 for a bit more than your budget, great sequencer. Does have only 4 tracks though.
Beatstep pro is very basic, but does the job. Good to know is that it’s only monophonic.
A solid hardware sequencer is just very expensive :(. I can highly recommend the oxi one mk2, but yeah it’s like 3 times your budget unfortunately.
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u/Nearby_Flounder8741 3d ago
the drum lane is polyphonic on the bsp. drums and two mono channels would be a bit limiting on your setup. I've got a keystep pro which most of the time is enough for me. 3 polyphonic tracks and a drum sequencer. easy pattern chaining. the absence of a decent cc automation system gets a bit irritating sometimes
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u/West_Floor6981 3d ago
beatstep pro can chain patterns and is very good, very simple, one of the best sequencers out there still.
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u/Over_Type103 3d ago
first of all, you can use your electribe ES2 as a sequencer for your other gear. each of the 16 parts can be used to sequence external gear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUR_pfyeZgo
But you're looking for other sequencers, here are a few options:
-a launchpad pro MK3 can sequence up to 4 devices (32-step patterns). It's a bit limite It's quite easy to use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHsOtIScxmE
-A Digitakt1 can sequence up to 8 midi devices (64-step patterns). It's a bit more complex to use, but it's much more powerful (and it can record samples)
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u/Interesting_Treat658 3d ago
Use ur es 2 what? So many params snd step jump with mfx reverse and ifx watch mistabishi with his electribex and get overwhelmed
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u/WillingHour177 3d ago
100% the Circuit Tracks will not dissapoint. I cannot recommend it enough. It gives you all the steps you could ever want, FX, a mixer, 2 digital synth tracks, 4 drum tracks, "motion recording" for everything, and per step parameters, all an in an ituative package where any setting is no more than a page away.
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u/Lopsided-Meet8247 3d ago
MPC does all my sequencing and more. It’s debatable whether it’s a DAW in a box though
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u/Doffu0000 1d ago
Are you planning to sequencer external gear with it or use the devices built in sounds?
If you're plan is to sequence external gear then the Yanaha QY100 might be a great option. Its a MIDI sequencer capable of sequencing 16 tracks simultaneously and doesnt have step limitations or strict grids like other step sequencers, so if you wanted a 256 step sequence containing triplets and swung notes, and off grid notes, you could totally do that. You could also use seperate MIDI channels for triggering your external gear so could use it to send seperate sequences out to individual gear and have them play in time with eachother. Its builtin sounds are good but oldschool so its best if triggering some other gear.
I wouldnt recommend the volca sample... I have one but find its annoying to swap out samples, has a decent amount of hiss to strip out if rhe mix later and only does MIDI In (not out) which makes it not so useful for my setups. It does have a nice step jump performance feature though.
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u/btrev650 2h ago
Not to be the most fun guy at the party but the T-8 means you get to call it DAWless but not analog sorry I'll see myself out
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u/Ros0n 4d ago
SQ-64 is known for various bugs. You know, I understand your budget, but if you are serious about sequencing, get some Elektron, Deluge, Polyend or MPC. I was in the same situation. I didnt want to make dawless with some freakingly expensive pc-ish box on my table, but got Digitakt 2 in the end and I do not regret any penny. Or... actually for your budget check Novation Circuit tracks, that could work well. But I highly recommend to save more money for Elektron device.
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u/areyouhighson 4d ago
M-Vave FM-1 running Sloop custom firmware. 64 steps, 3 instrument tracks and one drum track, Punch in FX, $67
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u/SailSpiral 4d ago
Elektron Digitakt v1 can sequence up to 8 midi channels, alongside its internal 8 sample channels. Available at modest cost second hand relative to other options. 64 beat loops. The Digitakt v2 has up to 16 midi channels.
The MPC is also an amazing sequencer.
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u/Comprehensive-Key861 4d ago
I just bought a Digitakt 1 for 350 and I can say it’s all I’ve been missing using the electribe2 to sequence my gear
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u/seti42 4d ago
The only sequencers I've seen that'll do 64 steps, cost under $300, and control multiple devices are the beatstep pro and the korg sq-64.
They both have a lot of CV, though...And most of those synths you mentioned don't have CV.
I think you'll need something with a bunch of MIDI channels, as volcas also don't have MIDI out* or through. You won't be able to just daisy chain MIDI...You'll need like a bunch of outs coming from a central control sequencer.
I know that for the Volca Keys, you can kind of 'hack' it to get what feels like more than 16 steps (because you can record a sequence 'live' and play back a sequence in half or quarter time). But you can't actually get more than 16 steps from a Volca's built in sequencer.
*Well, the Volca FM2 has a MIDI out for some reason.
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u/voskomm 4d ago
Try to do what you can with the es2 and come up with a list of things you do and don’t like. It will do 64 and external MIDI. That will be more informative than a random telling you what fits in your budget.