Pattern Sequencer Software (Was: Forat, Linn9000!!!)

[Aaron Cram]

"Robert H. Rickner-III" wrote:

> Speaking of Sequencers, and off the topic of DIY...  Does anyone know a
> good software based sequencer that uses patterns instead of linear
> tracking, having started from mod trackers/fasttracker I'm much more
> comfurtable in that kind of environment.
> Rob

Well, if your talking about the Windows platform, then this is something I
know alot about.  I have searched the 'net high and low for a sequencer
that I could stand to use.  I downloaded a lot of demo versions and read a
lot of manuals.  I never found what I was looking for.

There seems to be only 2 types of sequencers:  "Trackers" and "MIDI
Recorders."  MIDI Recorders are programs like Cakewalk, Cubase, and Logic.
They have their uses, but in general I don't like to use them.  They seem
to me like glorified tape recorders:  you hit "record" and then it records
the MIDI notes that you play.  Of course you can also use the mouse to
enter notes on a score or piano roll, but these are designed more for
editing notes that are already there than for making a song from scratch.
They are also expensive and overly complicated.

The only other alternative is Trackers (MED, FastTraker, BUZZ, etc.)  I
like this type of interface much better.  It was designed for _programming_
songs, not for _recording_ them.  The problem with trackers is that they
are designed around sample-playback.  Most of them don't even support
MIDI.  If they do support MIDI, it is always incomplete,  incorrectly
implemented, and almost useless.

What I wanted was a tracker-like program that was built with the MIDI
protocol in mind from the beginning.  So, what does a DIYer do when he
wants something that doesn't exist?  Yup.  (At least I'm more on-topic
now...)  I've been programming my own sequencer now for over a year.  It
will probably be another year before I feel comfortable unleashing it on
the Web.  But all the basic functionality is already implemented and
working.  As you might have guessed from my above ranting, it is a hybrid
between a "MIDI Recorder" and "Tracker."  I have also worked hard to make
almost everything work in "real-time."  So, you can edit a pattern while it
is playing in a loop, and you are continuously hearing what you are doing.
Above all else, I'm trying to make everything as simple and intuitive as
possible.  (That's actually the hard part.)

So, if you share some of my opinions on the current state of PC sequencer
programs, then I might have just the thing for you.  Someday.  (It might be
awhile, I've started building a synth as well, which is of course why I'm
on this wonderful list.  :)

In the meantime, the best tracker I've ever used is called NoiseTrekker.  I
like it because it reminds me of MED on my old Amiga.  It has a built-in
"303/Rebirth" thing, synth/effects based on CSound, and of course the
traditional samples.  It supports MIDI, but not very well.  It's also free
and comes with the source code!
Here's the link already:
http://noisetrekker.cjb.net/

While I'm spewing forth links, here's a few more:

If you have a soundcard and a PC, you can use this to tune your analog
synth:  (It's free!)
http://alpha.bzlogi.hu/~laci/minituner.html

A Cubase-like sequencer called Massiva:  (Also free!)
http://home.c2i.net/jaase/massiva.htm

Where to find audio software for PC:
http://www.sonicspot.com




-Aaron