Polyend has updated their Seq hardware step sequencer to version 1.3, adding randomization features, scales per track, chords per step and more.
Here’s what’s new in Seq 1.3:
- Scales. Assignable music scale per track, with choice of thirty-nine different scales.
- Chords per step. Added polyphony per step, choose from twenty predefined chords.
- More randomization. Developed randomization options. Set if randomization influences: modulation, velocity and humanization (step nudge) parameters. When randomizing steps on track with applied music scale, notes are scattered in between the range of two octaves (one up, one down with a root note in the middle).
- Gate length. Added gate time per step.
- Perfected knob physics for modulation, velocity and CC parameters.
- Shortened time of track lengths displays after change applies. Also, reduced track length led brightness.
Key Seq features:
- 8 tracks with 32 steps each
- 256 pattern memory
- On the fly track parameter Randomization
- Live sequence recording with external device via MIDI
- Step parameters: Note, Velocity, Length, Modulation, Roll
- Independent track play mode (Normal, Reversed, Pingpong, Random)
- Track parameters: Length, Velocity, MIDI Channel, MIDI out
- All parameter changes are automatically saved
- Pattern chaining
See the Polyend site for details on the update.
Too bad you can’t simply define the notes for each chord, or have user defined scales & chords.
Would also have liked to have seen more steps per beat options.
Still, I like the concept very much.
Yes, let’s make things more complicated, add tons of menus, hidden options and turn it into Cirklon or something similar, best would be software dependent and configurable from specialized software, iphone, ipad etc. No matter how many features the manufacturer will add, there’s always will be something missing for someone, no matter if it’s software or hardware, always something.
Or as you suggest, just make everythung easy enough for a child to use, and make all step sequencers indistinguishable from each other. Make everything prefab, limit choices. Keep it safe.
Exactly, that’s the point! There’s a whole bunch of great sequencers on the market already, we all use them. The fact is some of them are not really easy to deal with.
The idea behind Seq was to make something that will be easy and simple to use, eyes closed. Regards.
SimpleEasy vs PowerDepthFlexibility — they are not mutually exclusive. Having options need not make a sequencer less simple to use.
For example, your scale list could include User 1, User 2, User 3… etc. Hide the scale editor in a submenus so people who are scared of menus can just ignore them.
For chords, you could provide a global mode setting for Presets or Manual, and default to Presets. That way, a person who was scared of setting chords manually won’t have to deal with that.
For Step Rate, each track could have a simple ratio setting of steps per beats:
1:2 (half notes)
1:1 (one step per beat),
2:1 (8th notes),
3:1 (triplets),
4:1 (16ths),
5:1 (quintuplets),
6:1 (16th triplets),
…
3:2 (Q-note triplets),
1:3 (dotted 1/2)
2:3 (dotted 8th),
4:3 (dotted 16th). etc. etc.
Including 5:1 didn’t make it less simple, but it opened a door into some new possibilities. Yes, a person would have to learn a few ratios, but it’s quick and it’s flexible. Ultimately, it is simple for the user– and clear.
You have this beautifully large hardware step sequencer with so much potential. Why give it an OS for beginners only?
You think everyone is afraid of adventure. You think everyone is afraid to learn.
It is possible to develop a tool that has a simple superficial level but also has additional layers of power and depth that more experienced users can dive into as they continue to grow with it.
I’m sure readers can think of some examples of gear that they continued to make new discoveries with for years.
When hardware and software developers provide multiple levels of interaction and provide options that allow creative people to move in new directions, it is exciting. Music won’t always sound like it does today. The tools need room to grow with time.
Hey, thank you for your comment. We like serious people with serious ideas. Not that we’re not aware of what you’re talking about, we’re already working on some of these ideas, we’re just not into promising anything. On the other hand, I’d like to listen to your ideas how you see an easy implementation of your ideas on Seq as an existing machine, reasonably simple to learn – without of digging into submenus and hidden combination of buttons and clickable encoders. If you want you can drop me a word on [email protected]. Kind regards.
Thanks. I appreciate your serious response. It is exciting to think about ways that music can expand to include new ideas. I like when the gear can open doors, rather than close them. I’ll be in touch.
> Chords per step. Added polyphony per step
how big is the polyphony now? i thought it has 8 monophonic tracks. can i have “added polyphony” for each track, at the same time?
> choose from twenty predefined chords.
hm. too little imo. i´m still on the fence. dear mr. tworkowski, if you make the sequencer *really* polyphonic, in real-time recording mode (!)–like my mc-808–, i would purchase it in a nanosecond.
There are twenty most popular (inc. Diminished) chords with assignable root note.
List here: polyend.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/seq_manual_v1.3.pdf
Let Polyend know what chords are you missing exactly.
It’s 5 note polyphony per step on every track right now, on every track.
MC 808 is a great machine, but not really intuitive to use for me personally, also it already
exists, is there a need to copy it? The makers will be improving Seq and releasing updates.
I could use some hot and tasty french fries, can it make those?
Sure thing, the question is, with or without mayo ?
Sounds great!
v1.3.2
Fixes
– Two different chords from the new set of chords had the same notes, not anymore.
Updates
– Link to next. Now you can link the pattern you’re currently working on to the following next pattern without scrolling thru all patterns to find the proper one.
v1.3.1
Updates
We have added the new set of chords which follows a logical order and provides a very wide palette. It excludes all 9th (or add 2) chords, but gives a very versatile compositional set – thanks for a hint Jon Stubbs!
Looks like they are listening to users 😉
I am really looking to get one in the future, looks like there are a few things to come with new updates.
Really excited about this, coming from the monome I know how much fun this will be…, finally a nice standalone version without needing M4L, a DAW.
Anyone interested in a mint Sequentix P3?