Controller Keyboard/synth with MIDI Arpeggiator/sequencer

[bloodsample]

Which synths have the best arpeggiators and/or sequencers in your opinion?

By best I mean most intuitive/original/musical/inspiring/etc.

[bolt]

I'm pretty sure this has been made before?

[blinky909]

mc-202 and sh-101 are pretty good.

[W-W-Int]

arps;

v-synth
kawai k5000s
microkorg
mono-poly

sequencers;

ensoniq products from the 80's and 90's had fantastic sequencers.
dedicated buttons for function pages of the sequencers.
and straight forward options that made sense and really required no manual diving to use and yet you could do event editing of single events using it, step entry, realtime recording, punch in out, overwrite or blend data etc...
roland and yamaha and korg had cryptic crap thrown in here and there that just threw up ro*******s sometimes as you dig the manual out to try to figure out how to get at a function or feature or just get it to stop doing something.

[elijahbrown]

Originally Posted by W-W-Int

arps;

v-synth
kawai k5000s
microkorg
mono-poly

I agree that the v synth, the monopoly and the k5000 have good arps. But the microkorg really. I dont think it has a very good arp at all. It doesnt even send midi

[Diametro]

V-Synth has an excellent arp ...

But the best arp I've ever played is ... on ... a ...

MICRON !!!

The arp is fantastic, but it's the real-time mini-sequencer that steals the show ... You can play entire songs with a recorded pattern that you can change polyphonically by playing it in different keys and adding new notes ...

BEST ... ARP ... EVER ...

One of these days I'm going to pick one up again just for that ...

[pr0gr4m]

I like the modulation sequencer on the Korg MS-2000...it's different.

I really like the sequencer on the E-MU Command Stations. Very cool standard and customizable arpeggio functionality as well.

[shaft9000]

ARP----

easy: Supernova2 keys!
Ultranova can't even compete here even though it's got a great one as well w/ the extra stepped-LFOs. SN2's is soooo powerful it's gonna take another synth with a full-sized UI to come close(Solaris??)

sequencer----

sequencer designs vary wider than almost anything in synths, so is very subjective. there is no "best".
i like the ms-2000/radias and V-Synth's a lot.
but a dedicated seq like a Cirklon is going to be much more capable. Even monophonic like the FR orb is extremely handy and easy as pie.
and none of these are totally analog sequencers, of which hundreds of designs have been realized and continue to be.

[dimconcept]

RS7000 has a pretty useful ARP...

[sorgenkind]

elektron monomachine
killer sequencer
and killer arp

[djugel]

Roland JX-3P would have to be my favorite..

[d1rtynyc]

Originally Posted by sorgenkind

elektron monomachine
killer sequencer
and killer arp

You've said it.

Korg Karma is pretty fantastic. I have never owned one, but was very impressed when I used them.
Ahead of it's time IMO.

[CoolColJ]

Originally Posted by Diametro

V-Synth has an excellent arp ...

But the best arp I've ever played is ... on ... a ...

MICRON !!!

The arp is fantastic, but it's the real-time mini-sequencer that steals the show ... You can play entire songs with a recorded pattern that you can change polyphonically by playing it in different keys and adding new notes ...

BEST ... ARP ... EVER ...

One of these days I'm going to pick one up again just for that ...

I'm guessing it's like the Andromeda's
Where there is an arp and step sequencer and the interact with each other is a Wavestation way

The A6 has a Progression function on both the Arp and step sequencer that I haven't been able to duplicate in any software arp!
Annoying...because I'd like the same functionality with my other synths!
Although I did see an Audiomulch module that might do it when I was Googling for arp software

With the Progression function you can make arps that just don't go up and down in octaves or sound like trance gate things.
You get more of an Orb style sequence - which I used to do by manually layering and staggering sequences ontop each

like this
http://soundcloud.com/coolcolj/a6-gorgeous-arp-sequence

[dougt]

Jupiter-6 with Europa upgrade definitely wins the title of best arp. Tons of options and modes, step sequencer, 2 totally separate arps for lower and upper patches, even 808 style grid mode using the patch buttons.

[Jim Stout]

The JP-8000 has a really cool arpeggiator. There are lots of different patterns in there.

[Kindred]

this is going to seem like a really newb question however here goes -

I have a Roland Gaia which does a cool thing I haven't seen before - if I am using it as a controller keyboard for another synth (either soft or external), and I turn on the Gaia's arpeggiator, it not only arpeggiates the other synth, but, when I press record in Cubase, it writes the arpeggio as midi data. This may or may not be common with other synths however its the first time I have seen it myself, after using the same old MAudio O2 for years.

so, a) what is this feature called and b) does anyone know any other synths/controllers which have this function? Whilst the fact that the Gaia does this is really cool, the factory arps on the Gaia are not that great so if it is implemented better elsewhere I would be keen to know. (apart from external sequencers - not keen to add another piece of midi gear to my already straining setup)

I have used this function to make my Studio Electronics Code arpeggiate which sounds frikkin awesome - so keen to find alternatives.

thanks

[Oli]

Just sounds like the Gaia is sending the arpeggio note events out through its MIDI port. The same data that controls the external synth is also available to be recorded by Cubase.

Another synth which can do this, is the AN1x. However, I think it only sends arp out when local is on.

I'm sure there are others that can do this too.

[aunshui]

I'm pretty sure the Akai MPK line does this as well.

[auricle74]

The Kurzweil PC3 series can do this as well.

[Kindred]

Originally Posted by aunshui

I'm pretty sure the Akai MPK line does this as well.

ah cool - I have the MPK Mini but have never tried it for this (only use it for laptop while travelling)

[analogaddict]

Originally Posted by auricle74

The Kurzweil PC3 series can do this as well.

The PC3 can send all arps and riffs over midi. You can record and edit riffs/patterns and import midi patterns via USB or memory card. It's extremely flexible..!

[Liquid Legacy]

The Novation UltraNova has apparently just received this function.
I'll see if it works on my microkorg XL as well, when I get home.

[LolrusPl]

The Virii family can do this.

[ootini]

I think one of the best in the business for this kind of thing was the Quasimidi Cyber 6. But they're very hard to come by these days.

[Beany]

Just confirming that the MPK49 DOES have the arpegiator feature (and also MPC swing output too)

[dougt]

My Oberheim XK controller from 1986 has a nifty arpeggiator built in. Clock in for old drum machines and such too.

[autobot]

That's all right with the above synths, but do they have complex arps and phrases like the gaia or even he motif have?

[lhm1138]

The Yamaha KX midi controllers rule for this.

[xanderbeanz]

I believe the DW8000 transmits it's ARP, it's a nice one too! But yeah, the An1x is king for this, lots of Arp types see, more than just your usual up and down.

[mildheadwound]

Originally Posted by LolrusPl

The Virii family can do this.

Unfortunately, this only works in single mode. It would be sweet to arp multiple synths, to the same sync, but different tempos and patterns... but it's a no go. Anywho, the new Akai keyboards arriving soon will have arp, & cv/gate out. If they link somehow to the mpc pads, it's a definite get, for me.