Help Needed! Midi Sequencer

[Dunwho]

Hi, Im looking for a midi sequencer...not digital computer based, but hardware!

I amnt sure what is good/bad/worth it/rip off and i was hoping that some of you dirtys would be able to shine some light on the situation for me.

My only experience of anything this until now is the Matrix sequencer that is on Reason... i quite like its interface and if there was an actual hardware equivilant that it was originally based on i would love to try and et my hands on it.

Also just out of curiosity does anybody know what UW used up until the laptops became a little more dominant... I think i remember seeing some kinda little black box on the sound desk that the lads would go to everytime there was a drum build up or a synth explosion in the Everything Everything DVD....
... i think i saw something similar recently too...

any help would be fantastic!
Thanks

Dave

[Lx_Nen]

Well, I'd love to be able to afford an Infection Music Zeit (disclaimer, I'm on a mailing list that the guy who makes these is also on). Hardware sequencing is NOT cheap, because there is such low demand that every unit is practically hand built.

Take a look at this: http://www.infectionmusic.com/about.html

...and then think about how much other gear you could have for the same price :-/

[King of Snake]

underworld used Akai MPC 2000's on stage for midi sequencing. (with sounds coming from other Akai samplers, maybe S6000). Not sure about the black box, although it might be a custom built piece of kit that triggers certain sequences so Rick can easily do those 909 drumfills on the fly.
Along with the MPC range (of which there are also newer, smaller models released in recent years) you might want to check out Yamaha RM1X or EMU command stations which are groovebox style machines that also have their own inbuilt sounds (but you can use them for sequencing external instruments as well). For analog step-sequencing check out the Doepfer MAQ 16/3
Orbital famously used Alesis MMT8 midi sequencers for their live shows.

RM1X's especially can be found for cheap 2nd hand (maybe 200 euro) and are supposedly quite good live sequencers.

I have no personal experience with any of these, just telling what I've heard and read about :)

[Dunwho]

Well, I'd love to be able to afford an Infection Music Zeit (disclaimer, I'm on a mailing list that the guy who makes these is also on). Hardware sequencing is NOT cheap, because there is such low demand that every unit is practically hand built.

Take a look at this: http://www.infectionmusic.com/about.html

...and then think about how much other gear you could have for the same price :-/

Wow...ok well as much as id like to be locked up in a room with that and a few synths for a good few months.. it looks like it would cost me a shit load, couldnt actually find a price on it...but i think its one of those things that doesnt really need one.

underworld used Akai MPC 2000's on stage for midi sequencing. (with sounds coming from other Akai samplers, maybe S6000). Not sure about the black box, although it might be a custom built piece of kit that triggers certain sequences so Rick can easily do those 909 drumfills on the fly.
Along with the MPC range (of which there are also newer, smaller models released in recent years) you might want to check out Yamaha RM1X or EMU command stations which are groovebox style machines that also have their own inbuilt sounds (but you can use them for sequencing external instruments as well). For analog step-sequencing check out the Doepfer MAQ 16/3
Orbital famously used Alesis MMT8 midi sequencers for their live shows.

RM1X's especially can be found for cheap 2nd hand (maybe 200 euro) and are supposedly quite good live sequencers.

I have no personal experience with any of these, just telling what I've heard and read about :)

Thanks man, as ever a well of information. It looked like some kind of old tape deck, the ones you would hold next to the radio when you wanted to record your favourite tunes..... and yes it must have been linked to the 909, those "Everything Everything" era drum lines were classic.

Ill have a look at what you have suggested.. cheers for your help!!!

[Dunwho]

The Yamaha RM1X is nearly exactly what i am looking for and ebay is looking like bout 260e (inc. Delivery).... just wish i had the money right now... the added bonus of a synth/drum machine makes the price slightly easier to digest even if the sound quality is getting some awful reviews on certain threads...

...now to try and scrape together the cash in these troubled times!