Mother 32 sequencer question

[JTurbide]

Might be a dumb question but is it possible to ''stack'' multiple sequences on a M-32 ? like play 4-5 sequences at the same time? Or can you only play one sequence at a time ?

[Dark Barn]

I think it's just one at a time, I don't think you can patch out the sequencer either (only works on the Mother's VCO,) but I remember hearing that they might add that via firmware update.

[JTurbide]

So when I see a video on youtube of someone with a modular setup and I hear lots of layers (long sustaining notes in the background , birdsounds, some kind of lead ... etc) there is like 3-4-5 sequencer in the setup ?
examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIO8HoQ-qJI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jdeHKjMH0M

[Dark Barn]

I can't see enough in the second video to tell what's going on. In the first video the rig has a Varigate 8+ and Voltage Block which combined have 10 CV tracks and 8 gate tracks, and a song mode, so a pretty powerful sequencer, but according to the patch notes only 2 CV tracks are in use.

Without actually knowing the intricacies of the patch is set up, you can get a lot of mileage out of gates and timing sources combined with envelopes/LFOs/quantizers to add melodic movement outside of what is being provided by the sequencer. Or mult a V/oct patch to multiple voices with different gate patterns. Many ways to skin the proverbial cat and work around limitations in euro.

[JTurbide]

Thanks ! I will definitely get into euro after I buy a mother32 .... brb I'll rob a bank..

[Invisible Man]

https://instagram.com/p/BSCiqu1h0ml/

It's a really deep sequencer, but yes: one at a time. Not super easy to edit on the fly. Capable of great and interesting things...had mine almost a year, still exploring...

[Bartimaeus]

The M32 only has one voice, and the sequencer is meant to control only a single voice at a time.

If you want a sequencer to control multiple voices, you'll be better off with external sequencers such as the Korg Electribe in the second video or even using a DAW. There are sequencers in euro meant to control many voices, but they are often very expensive (like the Orthogonal Devices ER-301 used in the first video). Generally, outboard sequencers are cheaper and easier to use for polyphonic stuff.

A good workaround is to process the output of a single oscillator in many ways in order to create an evolving texture.

[Dark Barn]

The ER-301 is OD's 'sound computer.' The sequencing int he first video is done on the Malekkos, also not cheap either.

[Bartimaeus]

Oops, my mistake! And as you say, pretty pricey too.

[JTurbide]

Which outboard sequencer/controller would be a great choice ? I'm thinking of buying either the mother 32 or a Lifeforms SV1. I have absolutely nothing right now, no keyboard, no sequencer , nothing.
I want to get into eurorack to do some ambient/droney/spacey/fuckedup sounds like R Beny, ann annie, Bryan Noll etc and I'm on a pretty tight budget... I see alot of people using the SQ1 wich is cheap so that's a plus, but I guess it's only a sequencer ? like you can't play notes with it ? I've seen keystep, volca fm/sample , electribe (a little expensive but..), Qunexus...

I might do a new post when I actually get the money and bought a new amp so I know exactly what is my budget for now but yeah I'd like to know the most effective yet cheap (semi-modular, controller/sequencer, approximately 6U/48Hp eurorack) way to get those kinda sounds..

example of a small yet effective setup by ann annie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmwM1TcOX-c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaRjm1APsCs

[Dark Barn]

I see alot of people using the SQ1 wich is cheap so that's a plus, but I guess it's only a sequencer ? like you can't play notes with it ?

The sequencer plays the notes, that's the point. I do have MIDI keyboards to use in a pinch, but 99% of the time I'm using modular synths it's either with drones or with some sort of sequencing. Also I'm curious why you want a sequencer if you did start with a Mother 32, it has a sequencer. Yes the Mother sequencer might not serve your needs if you grew the system out but that is how it goes with everything in modular, adding pieces creates the need/capacity for more auxiliary pieces.

[JTurbide]

I see alot of people using the SQ1 wich is cheap so that's a plus, but I guess it's only a sequencer ? like you can't play notes with it ?

The sequencer plays the notes, that's the point. I do have MIDI keyboards to use in a pinch, but 99% of the time I'm using modular synths it's either with drones or with some sort of sequencing. Also I'm curious why you want a sequencer if you did start with a Mother 32, it has a sequencer. Yes the Mother sequencer might not serve your needs if you grew the system out but that is how it goes with everything in modular, adding pieces creates the need/capacity for more auxiliary pieces.

Thanks! So you can play notes with an SQ1 ? you don't need an external keyboard ? They seem to often be used to sequence an actual keyboard.. I actually have not seen a single video in which the person didn't use a keyboard.. What I mean is that, of course it plays back the sequence, that's the point of it but can you actually play notes with nothing else like a keyboard or say the metropolis, mother 32 sequencer.. ?

As for why I'm looking for a sequencer is because I might go with an SV1.. still haven't decided wich one I'd grab.

[Dark Barn]

You can use sequencers to sequence events besides notes, but mostly they are used to sequence notes. You can sequence notes directly from the sequencer without a keyboard, usually inputting note values with a knob or slider or something.

It's more than the SQ1 but also I think it is a deeper and more extensible piece of kit, but the Beatsep Pro would be what I would get on a budget.

[Bartimaeus]

You can set up the SQ1 to "play" like a keyboard. Tune each step to a different note (with the quantizer set to something other than linear), switch to the "active step" mode, and tap the pads to play it. It's actually of being used like that in the first video you link to.

The best sequencer for you system really depends on the rest of the system. No point in having an ER-101 if you only have one synth voice. The person that you link to seems to prefer the SQ1 to the Mother32's onboard sequencer, perhaps because the SQ1 is more immediately a "playable".

If you're doing ambient stuff, Mother32 + Sputnik West Coast Random Source + SQ1 (as used by that person) is a pretty great combo. The randomness controlling several parameters is a really huge part of what makes that stuff "ambient", in spite of the fact that there's a lot of jittery, staccato notes. You might want to try replacing the Random Source with cheaper options, though. If you get an Intellijel case (which are great), you could pick up their 1U Noise Tools. Maybe add a Synthrotek RND and/or a 2hp Rnd as well.

[JTurbide]

Thanks you guys are really helping me, I'll probably end up with a mother32 as it's cheaper and as a sequencer in it. On the other hand the SV1 has 2 oscillator, a 4 channel mixer and I'll end up buying an external sequencer anyway so probably not much use for mother's one. So SV1 is probably the best option... I'm so confused on which one I should get ! haha.

I'm looking for something that will give me the most right away as for now I wouldn't be able to afford a case and modules.. gotta find a job or something.