hardware step sequencer

[markosub79@gmail.com]

hi to all!
I searching for some hardware able to sequence my virus. any suggestion?
i was thinking about a roland mc or an electribe, but I don t know if I can use them only with the virus engine excluding the sound of the other machine. only midi message for the sequencer. a thing like this..
thanks in advice

[MBTC]

Is the goal to completely eliminate the use of a laptop or computer? Or is the goal simply to have a good hardware interface for sequencing without relying on mouse and keyboard?

Because if the latter, Native Instruments Maschine works well as a step sequencer, with a single USB cable going into the laptop from each Maschine and the Virus it would not be too intrusive or "computer feeling" and you can do everything you need to do from the hardware. I use Maschine in step mode all the time, it's fantastic.

Then slowly over time you would be mind-blown by all the other stuff you can do with Maschine besides sequence, like it could serve as your sampler for bouncing down your Virus sounds and keeping them there, freeing up voices on the Virus for other things if you wanted. Then you'd discover all the sounds that come with it, how easy it is to do automation etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--b8iue5lAk

The Mikros are very cost effective, however if the goal is to do a lot of work with only the hardware controller I'd probably get Studio for the better displays and more controls.

If the presence of a computer must be avoided then I dunno, something like Electribe like you said, or Akai Rhythm Wolf maybe.

I should probably add this would be a good solution IMO when used with Virus Control, and I'm assuming that the VST can integrate with Maschine like any other VST does (not sure, someone would have to verify but I don't think it would be a problem).

If you have an older Virus model with no VC plug-in, it may or may not still be a good option, but I would definitely recommend researching it.

[markosub79@gmail.com]

Hi anfD thank you so much for the reply!!! well, with your word I understand that I miss to say something important...
I own a Virus ti2 and i use Logic pro on a Mac through an Edirol Ua25... I have also a mixer and I run other other hardware and so on...
My goal is to eliminate my personal pc for compose and keep it only for the recording. I searching for some hardware with a pattern and a song mode that can run the 16chan of the Virus engine... like a groovebox, to create a thing like a groovebox. You have find words better than mine to describe my purpose but im not english native and so it is... :)
At this point I don t know any hardware that can make my dream come true :)
thank you my friend I waiting to read some new about this!
thanks
also im checking now the rithm wolf...

[markosub79@gmail.com]

hey! it seems what im searching for!!!!

[MBTC]

Yeah, now that I understand your need a little better Maschine might not be what you want -- I'm not sure how operating 16 MIDI channels independently with it would work. It probably can do it, but I think you'd need to insert a plugin wrapper from your DAW into Maschine via VST.

Maybe all you need is something like Arturia Beatstep? They are only about $100, pretty barebones sequencing fare, I think you would only use the software to configure it in that case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5xUzqT37wk

[markosub79@gmail.com]

Yeah I'm not sure too... Let me see this little bit step

[Berni]

I searching for some hardware with a pattern and a song mode that can run the 16chan of the Virus engine... like a groovebox, to create a thing like a groovebox. .

An old Akai MPC would do what you want but getting the virus to play all 16 parts at once is almost impossible. Even with relatively simple patches you might get 7-8 parts playing at most (even less with the snow)before it runs out of polyphony.

[seapad]

The best hardware step sequencer in my opinion is the Cirklon (www.cirklon.com), I use it to run my desktop Virus Ti and a Polar Ti2 - and everything else in the studio. No latency - perfect timing all the time, and up to 64 tracks.
Its not cheap but I think its excellent value - and if you have less to spend you could look for a 2nd hand P3 sequencer (made by the same fella).

[markosub79@gmail.com]

Mhm... I want to use all (of most of the 16 midi chan) i Think beat step is quite limited.. what do you think about TonoriOn? It seems works as I'm searching...
look
http://youtu.be/ho1ueE1XL-g
but I don't have understand how mani midi chan he can drive and how it works... tomorrow ill check..
see ya

[MBTC]

Those Tenori-On things are kind of a gimmicky specialty gadget, not a traditional sequencer like I believe you want.

But if that sort of thing appeals to you I'd just get an iPad (if you don't already have one), one of those MIDI interfaces for the iPad, and one of the many sequencing apps that are available. It just depends on what you mean by a "hardware only" sequencer. The idea of "hardware only" doesn't really exist with most of these devices anyway. It also depends on how much you're willing to spend. Tenori-On seems like kind of a limited, expensive iPad-like solution to me.

[MBTC]

The best hardware step sequencer in my opinion is the Cirklon (www.cirklon.com), I use it to run my desktop Virus Ti and a Polar Ti2 - and everything else in the studio. No latency - perfect timing all the time, and up to 64 tracks.
Its not cheap but I think its excellent value - and if you have less to spend you could look for a 2nd hand P3 sequencer (made by the same fella).

Thanks for this, I wanted to fix the link for you as it had an unwanted parenthesis:

http://www.cirklon.com

I think they look nice for someone needing hardware only. I just can't imagine spending the cost of a PC or laptop for something that does only about .0001% of what a computer can do. Cables running to either, one way or another. MIDI latency would be about the same whether USB or MIDI. Most of the time when you hear latency woes related to the Virus it is about audio over USB , IMHO.

[seapad]

I just can't imagine spending the cost of a PC or laptop for something that does only about .0001% of what a computer can do.

Thanks for correcting the link.

I don't think you would find many Cirklon users that would agree with you (me included!).

As a hardware composer I had always used the Roland MC80 and before that the MC50 - but the Cirklon goes much further as a composing tool/sequencer. I also like the fact that the gentleman that makes them is always on hand through the Cirklon forum and there are regular firmware updates.

[MBTC]

Thanks for correcting the link.

I don't think you would find many Cirklon users that would agree with you (me included!).

As a hardware composer I had always used the Roland MC80 and before that the MC50 - but the Cirklon goes much further as a composing tool/sequencer. I also like the fact that the gentleman that makes them is always on hand through the Cirklon forum and there are regular firmware updates.

I didn't mean it's not a nice piece of gear, it is and I'm sure it's well supported. I was speaking strictly about functionality of computer software versus hardware devices in a more general sense, it doesn't apply only to the Cirklon.

[markosub79@gmail.com]

wow! I think this is what I've searching around but the price is too high in this moment for me... I've see also the Machinedrum is able to pilot any external gear or vst...
It can be found used at minor price...
do you have nay experience whit machinedrum?
the worst thing about my pc solution is that I can't (or Im not Able to do) configure my virus ti as well in my licensed Logic Pro, and I can't (or Im not able to do this) work together with Virus and Edirol Ua 25...I can record midi events but I can't record any pot movement so for now I have to play and record only audio tracks playing track by tracks... Is a little bit long for the composing process... So is also for this problem that I'm searching some different way...

[pixie]

all I'm using now to sequence my TI and Kc is an akai MPC 1000 & 2500 with a custom firmware (JJOS).
I finally found my sequencing grail. If you're into hardware, you should check 'em out.

[evilgus]

I'm probably going to try a Korg Electribe ESX-1, for this purpose. I don't have a drum machine or sampler, so it can act as both, plus control the Snow. You can run the Snow outputs back through the ESX, so you only have one lot of outputs to deal with, plus also use the ESX effects, etc.

EG

[markosub79@gmail.com]

Hi! I've found this one...
http://www.squarp.net/index.html

[MBTC]

Is the lack of automation recording a problem that's specific to using the Virus with Logic Pro?

I just ask because when I arm a track for automation recording in Cubase and tweak the pots on my Snow it works fine. The timing was an absolute mess when I tried to use USB for audio streaming, but using USB for MIDI only and going straight to the audio interface for audio works great.

[markosub79@gmail.com]

no no, now i've fixed that :-)

[evilgus]

I'm probably going to try a Korg Electribe ESX-1, for this purpose. I don't have a drum machine or sampler, so it can act as both, plus control the Snow. You can run the Snow outputs back through the ESX, so you only have one lot of outputs to deal with, plus also use the ESX effects, etc.

EG
Ok, I ended up getting an Electribe ES-1 Mk2 and now have that sitting next to the Snow, both being controlled by an iPad running Genome Midi Sequencer. GMS has 16 tracks, meaning I can access 4 simultaneous voices on the Snow, via Multi mode and around 9 samples on the 'Tribe, using Pattern mode. (Well, if I program in some program changes, I can also switch patterns and effectively cycle through as many drum sounds or samples as I want! Might be similar for the Snow, haven't tried it yet!)

Cheers,

EG

[NON73]

You can purchase any DAW sequencer programs whatsoever which may use VST-plugins.
Use your Ti2 together with the "Virus TI Control Center" and you get a complete workstation :)

If you want a pure MIDI sequencer, my suggestion is to get an Alesis MMT8.
It is the best MIDI sequencer that I have ever worked with