Polyend Seq Desktop MIDI Step Sequencer

Description

The Polyend Seq Desktop MIDI Step Sequencer is a polyphonic hardware MIDI step sequencer designed to provide musicians with spontaneous, hands-on performance controls and creative compositional paths not availalble on software-based computer apps. Intuitive, fun to use, and housed in an elegant wood and aluminium desktop enclosure built to last for years, Seq is a hardware sequencer that plays like an instrument.

With Seq, most functions are instantly available from the main front panel, which offers a bright TFT screen and no hidden menus to page through and slow you down. The front panel features an 8-row (one for each track), 32-column (one for each step) grid of lit buttons that provides an intuitive way to access the steps of the sequence. A short press on a button in the grid turns the corresponding step on or off; holding it down lets you adjust the parameters via the 6 clickable, infinte control knobs underneath the screen. Changes can be applied in real time while the sequencer is running and dedicated buttons for functions like start, stop, copy, clear, quantise, randomise, etc. speed up your workflow and keep the creativity flowing.

Seq has 256 pattern memories, and patterns can be linked together to form long, complex sequences. While there's no metronome, there is a lighted countoff option if you choose to record MIDI information in real time from a controller—and of course you can create a dedicated click on one of the eight tracks and apply quantisation to lock performances tightly into place if you choose. The sequencer offers a 48 parts-per-quarter-note resolution and swing is available in a 25 to 75% range.

Seq offers several playback modes including Reverse and Ping-Pong to provide instant variations for your patterns. In addition, track parameters like Root Note and Scale can help you get more musical resuts by keeping your sequences in key, while the Tempo Divider and Length settings can generate complicated polyrhythms. The Randomisation functions can also generate instantly inspiring results. Each track offers a single routing for CC data, but that limitation can be overcome by pressing another track into service for CC info if necessary (by setting the track velocity to zero).

Addiitonal smart touches include a multiparameter roll function to quickly create complex crescendos and a slick Move feature that allows you to move existing sequences (and individual notes) back and forth, nudging the timing slightly or changing the entire beat they fall on.

Key Features:

• 8 polyphonic tracks with 32 steps each
• 256 pattern memory with autosave
• On-the-fly track parameter Randomisation
• Live sequence recording with an external device via MIDI
• Step parameters: Note, Velocity, Length, Modulation, Roll
• Track parameters: Length, Velocity, MIDI Channel, MIDI I/O
• Different track play modes (Normal, Reversed, Pingpong, Random)
• Advanced Roll function with velocity and note curves step length
• Per-track tempo divisions and step retrigger
• Pattern chaining

Inputs and Outputs

• MIDI input to either sync clock or input MIDI notes
• MIDI thru
• Two independent MIDI outputs
• USB for bidirectional MIDI communication
• Footswitch input to control start, stop, and record