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LK vs Xequence2 vs Atom2
Hey guys, so I’ve got a fair amount of sequencers right now. Rozeta, Zoa, Autony, the Bud apps, midiSteps, etc as well as a ton of apps that send midi (sds-x, dot melody, so on). But one thing I’ve yet to invest in is a “midi daw” type app. I’ve been using the free/trail version of LK lately and have really been enjoying it but I’m curious what people think of the other 2, as the full version of LK is roughly $42.
I love the workflow and the Chorder/XY pads are awesome, just looking for some various opinions. This was something I wasn’t sure I needed until I dug into LK a bit and now I can totally see the value of one of these 3. So what’s everyone using as far as these go? What does it offer over the other?
Comments
I would say Xequence is the most DAW-like of them. It’s also due a significant amount of updates soon (now in public beta).
LK+Matrix IAP is my most productive one, but that's me - I prefer looped clips arranged live over a linear timeline. For sequencing, you don't need all the IAPs in LK.
It also has that sweet "follow actions" feature to add some playback sequence logic and great MIDI remote control support. Needless to say it's also a handy remote for Ableton Live.
Xequence is a great sequencer, but it’s not AUv3 which is why I don’t use it more often.
I don’t have Atom, but from my understanding it’s like a single midi clip and you have to load multiple instances which seems a bit convoluted to me for creating full tracks.
LK with Matrix IAP is both AUv3 and a one instance full sequencer. Unlike Xequence’s linear approach it’s clip based so take that into account.
With LK, does it have midi thru?
If so, can each track listen to its own separate midi channel?
If so, can you monitor and record a particular instrument without having to go into LK and selecting that particular track?
Similar question, can you monitor multiple tracks simultaneously?
Can you still monitor your instrument if the same track is playing a clip of something you already recorded?
When a clip is playing back, is there an option to —instead of arming another clip of the same track to play after current clip is finished playing — to switch immediately with a trigger, but continue the time line?
I’m using Helium, but I need to have multiple instances setup to achieve all the above. But the Remote transport options are killer, with the different trigger options. That’s what’s keeping me from leaving. Sorry for the onslaught of questions.
I’ve been meaning to ask for a while, but this thread seems on topic.
@tja For the simple convenience fact that you can edit a sequence and tweak synth or effect knobs at the same time.
Not much fun if you have to switch between sequencer and sound generators all the time.
Xequence neither does audio tracks nor can it host AUv3 instruments.
You might be using two iPads in your setup but I guess that's not the typical workflow
I wouldn’t see it as only being used as multiple instances of the same thing but rather making the workflow with eg AUM more streamlined. I use Xequence with AUM both through Audiobus to get that side app switcher thing (because I don’t like the way you switch between apps in iOS/iPadOS) but even with that I don’t find this as ergonomic as just having an AU natively inside AUM.
Everybody has their preferences though.
You get a lot for your money with LK and it’s being developed at a hell of a pace. The recent automation improvements make a massive difference. I’ve sequenced several full songs with LK.
I still use atom2 all the time as I find it the quickest way to get going, and it works well in loopy pro. I just hope it’s not abandoned forever and it gets automation one day 🤞
Gotta give Xequence 2 props for unlocking the AUM dawless setups, but it’s irrelevant to me now because of much better integrated auv3 solutions. It does have probably my favourite piano roll ever though!
I know there is an online manual for LK, but is there a downloadable manual for it?
@tja I would definitely agree that there's some benefits if the AUv3 integration is done well -- i.e., only a single Xequence AUv3 instance allowed, with almost all functionality available the same as in the standalone version.
The main benefits in my book would be: 1) easier and more technically sound MIDI connections between Xequence and the instruments, and 2) easier switching between sequencing and mixing indeed.
It's still on the roadmap for sure
I’ve not used the others but as a big fan of LK Matrix (midi mode) I’d encourage you to take the plunge on the Matrix IAP; stable, well designed UI, responsive support and regularly updated. I find it useful in a number of different scenarios; clip launching (triggered via midi foot controller in band scenario), pattern generation (within scale incl. custom), midi cc automation for other apps’ filter cutoffs etc. I keep finding more uses for it!
As others stated it's not about multi instance - one is all that's needed, but mostly for the convenience of having everything saved in a single AUM project. Also it's a bit easier to switch between plugins in AUM than to switch between standalone apps. MIDI routing is probably simpler too. I'm using LK as my main sequencer because of that, it's very well integrated with AUM.
That’s exactly what I meant as well. The whole process of integration would be more streamlined and imo easier to operate (all the connections, switching etc) Being a heavy pianoroll focused user I love your app. Can’t wait to see what the future updates bring to the table.
Please maybe consider adding a Tip Jar option somewhere in the app.
Have you perhaps ever thought of/considered something like Xequence Tracks? An audio clip timeline similar to 4pockets’ MultiTrack or Loopy Pro’s sequencer…
Thanks
some of the new features in 2.3 might actually require an In-App Purchase, so even if you don't need the features, you'll still have the tip jar!
Ooooff... do you know how long the MIDI roadmap is? I can start implementing audio in 2029 then if I'm lucky (but I consider retiring at 45 anyway...)
Oh man, an auv3 Xequence would be the quickest instabuy ever 😆
I can't compare with LK but I've found that the midi editing interface of Xequence is the easiest and trouble-free to use.
On another thread I had this idea:
place it into an AUM midi lane where it would auto-magically connect to a Xequence midi track properly.
one for each separate track you wished to record.
maybe even synch to AUM.
a button to take you directly to your tracks in Xequence for quicker switching .
Then he could keep Xequence just as it is but still have auv3 connectivity.
And he seems to respond favorably, although who knows if he'll work on it:
These are all such great MIDI DAWs that you really just need to watch videos and go for one. Xequence has a great piano roll and automation. Nice generative module as well. Atom and LK are ahead for me being AU and if you have a Launchpad then they both have great integration on top. LK is more actively developed now of the two AUs. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed for Atom development to restart again one day.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes. Midi learnable.
I don't think so. I've never found that to be a problem given AUM's routing flexibility though.
Yes.
No, I don't think so.
Actually there is. Disable global trigger quantization and have follow actions let play one clip after another. You can interrupt the original clip sequence by tapping on any clip and have that one start playing immediately but the sequence will still proceed like defined.
Does the next clip continue from the same timeline position, or does it reset to the beginning of the clip? I could only ever get clips to trigger from the beginning (albeit immediately). I didn't try with follow-actions though.
I think that’s what I may end up going with. Probably start with the matrix, chorder, and XY pads and add what I need from there. Thanks for your input!
Another way would be to have two tracks, which can play in parallel, and just mute one or the other.
Somehow I glanced over xequence not being AU. It’s not necessarily a dealbreaker but it does put atom and LK in the lead.
Thanks for your input. Definitely lots to think about. I haven’t tried the others, but have really really enjoyed my time with LK.
Thanks for this. I have a bad habit of doing the “all or nothing” approach but maybe I should just take the plunge on the matrix and add the rest over time.