Topic by markc2

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Topic: Sequencer

I am just getting back into this and I am amazed at how far and how dominate computers have become in using synth's.

What sequencing programs will this work with?

So far I have discovered (but not bought any) protools, Kontact, and a couple of others, can anyone make some recommendations.

I am going to buy the full version of this after I get my next healthy paycheck. These are beautiful expressive piano's, and thanks for making the price at three points so that a lot of people can play.

Thanks

Mark

Reply by xinaes

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Re: Sequencer

Hello Mark,

There are indeed many sequencers out there, some of which work across different operating systems and others don't. For whatever reason, I haven't to date got into a good habit of working with ordinary sequencers, so I don't have strong recommendations, but will mention a few. I've used many over the years.

Reaper: Full-featured but also lightweight. Reasonably cheap. Could well be a good option, especially as you can run it as an unrestricted trial version. I definitely recommend you try that.

For Mac, there is GarageBand which is free (apart from the premium you pay for a mac). Also Logic sadly went mac-only a few years ago.

Cubase is one of the main ones that you didn't mention. Kontakt is actually a sampler, not a sequencer, so it seems you were slightly mistaken in mentioning that.

FLStudio has very good midi editing facilities and also lifetime free upgrades. Struggled for years to shake it's 'toy' image, but it's pretty solid although perhaps not the best workflow for recording audio.

Sonar is another major one for Windows.

Ableton Live could be worth a look.

Tracktion: relatively obscure, different approach to UI design than others. I remember playing with the first version years ago and it seemed promising, might be worth a look.

Reply by markc2

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Re: Sequencer

xinaes wrote:

Hello Mark,

There are indeed many sequencers out there, some of which work across different operating systems and others don't. For whatever reason, I haven't to date got into a good habit of working with ordinary sequencers, so I don't have strong recommendations, but will mention a few. I've used many over the years.

Reaper: Full-featured but also lightweight. Reasonably cheap. Could well be a good option, especially as you can run it as an unrestricted trial version. I definitely recommend you try that.

For Mac, there is GarageBand which is free (apart from the premium you pay for a mac). Also Logic sadly went mac-only a few years ago.

Cubase is one of the main ones that you didn't mention. Kontakt is actually a sampler, not a sequencer, so it seems you were slightly mistaken in mentioning that.

FLStudio has very good midi editing facilities and also lifetime free upgrades. Struggled for years to shake it's 'toy' image, but it's pretty solid although perhaps not the best workflow for recording audio.

Sonar is another major one for Windows.

Ableton Live could be worth a look.

Tracktion: relatively obscure, different approach to UI design than others. I remember playing with the first version years ago and it seemed promising, might be worth a look.


Thank You!!

I will look them up!!

Reply by mabry

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Re: Sequencer

markc2 wrote:

I will look them up!!

I use Sonar X3 and it does all I need it to but if I was buying a DAW for the first time, I would consider PreSonus StudioOne in addition to the ones already mentioned here.

Reply by Jake Johnson

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Re: Sequencer

markc2 wrote:

I am just getting back into this and I am amazed at how far and how dominate computers have become in using synth's.

What sequencing programs will this work with?

So far I have discovered (but not bought any) protools, Kontact, and a couple of others, can anyone make some recommendations.

I am going to buy the full version of this after I get my next healthy paycheck. These are beautiful expressive piano's, and thanks for making the price at three points so that a lot of people can play.

Thanks

Mark

Slow down a bit--Kontakt is not a sequencer. It is a multisample player that can be loaded into a sequencer. A very different thing.

There are probably 20 popular sequencers out there right now. Reaper is popular and very good. (Does not have a "score view," however. You can't see the music in conventional music notation as notes on staffs.) Mulab is more simple but also good. (But also has no "score" view.) Steinberg's Cubase, Protools, Sonar, etc. are all popular and capable of doing a lot, and let you see the music in conventional notation. Some people like to start with simpler sequencers. Remember that if you want to use instruments like Pianoteq or Kontakt, you will need a sequencer that can load vsti's. Most modern ones will, but be sure to check out the specs.

Many keyboards now come with a limited version of a sequencer, and these limited versions are often excellent. The main limitation is just in the number of tracks that you can create--4-8 as opposed to 64. The version of Cubase that comes with many keyboards, for example, offers a good recording quality, a score view, and vsti instruments, but limits the number of tracks.

Last edited by Jake Johnson (18-11-2013 05:23)

Reply by xinaes

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Re: Sequencer

Very good point about conventional notation.

If your main interest is in composing tonal music, it's worth being a bit aware of more specialised notation software like Sibelius as well, although a more conventional all-round DAW would probably fit most needs better (and most people who use notation software also use DAWs, unless they are for example purely instrumental composers).

Reply by EvilDragon

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Re: Sequencer

Personally I don't even WANT notation to be a part of the DAW I use - it generally ends up being a half-assed job. It's best to have a dedicated score editor - MuseScore is free, Sibelius is the best, and Notion is up and coming.

Hard work and guts!

Reply by OrganoPleno

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Re: Sequencer

markc2 wrote:

What sequencing programs will this work with?

Depending what you're looking for... http://www.anvilstudio.com is fun, and the base program is free.

Reply by JacekH

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Re: Sequencer

EvilDragon wrote:

Personally I don't even WANT notation to be a part of the DAW I use - it generally ends up being a half-assed job. It's best to have a dedicated score editor - MuseScore is free, Sibelius is the best, and Notion is up and coming.

If you mean DAW as only a digital workstation - yes, you don't need it. But if you use it as a sequencer for composing&arranging - editing in a score editor is much more musical than reading a list of MIDI events. Even pianoroll-like editors are useful for single parts only, not the whole arrangement.

To OrganoPleno: if you're a Mac user take a look at Apple Logic. It's a great value for the money. Reaper as a multiplatform software is quite cheap (60 USD for non-commercial) but still powerful. A fresh player on the market is Presonus and its Studio One. Good price, great workflow. If you want something 'classic': Pro Tools or Cubase. Pro Tools seems to be much easier for beginners but it's not as powerful as Cubase when comparing them as MIDI/virtual instruments sequencers. I used to work with Cubase 1.0 or event earlier (from Pro-24 on Atari ST) and I love it. Today it's a complete system for recording MIDI, pro-audio, scoring, mixing and mastering. But I can imagine that a learning it takes long time. Although when buying it you get video tutorials beside a huge manual, there are many videos on YT so it's quite easy to start working with it.

Regards,
Jacek

Last edited by JacekH (18-11-2013 23:20)

Reply by Ehudk

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Re: Sequencer

If you're planning on buying an audio interface, you might want to check out the ones that comes with a DAW.
I use Presonus studio one producer and Ableton live intro. I like them both.

Pianoteq 5 Standard (D4, K2, Blüthner, YC5)