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AUV3 Polyphonic Matrix Sequencer Easy to Edit On-Fly like Xynthesizr?
I really enjoy using Xynthesizr to sequence a synth because it is polyphonic, and inputting or deleting a note just takes a single tap rather than a tap-hold, which makes things very fluid to change on the fly. I'm looking for something that is AUV3 that has similar functionality.
I'm looking for something that is:
-capable of polyphonic sequences like Xynthesizr, where I may have different notes playing all for different lengths of time, allowing for complex chords/voicings where individual notes are capable of their own movement (not sure how to explain this, but again, like Xynthesizr)
-ideally on a grid/matrix
-capable of easy note input/deletion/moving that can happen while the sequence is playing (I know single-tap might mean that changing note values is easier at the expense of being able to edit other values like cc -- I'm open here as long as changing notes is smooth)
-able to tie notes/ set the duration of a note easily (e.g., by dragging the note left/right)
-as a bonus, capable of some randomization
Stuff I've used:
I find that the note-input of Fugue Machine hits a lot of similar buttons. I have many of the Bud sequencers, but Melodybud is monophonic, Stepbud is as well (or can ONLY play chords if chosen) and doesn't have a matrix, Polybud can set multiple lanes of steps but also isn't a grid and therefore can't easily visualize all the notes being played at once in a single view, Mididreams is monophonic and slider-based, and a piano roll like Atom uses keyboard input that records where the playhead is, which means I can't easily change a "sequence" ahead of before the playhead.
Oh, and given that I'm kind of a dolt, I may totally be wrong about some of the sequencers I've mentioned above, and am hopefully wrong!
Any help is appreciated!
Comments
Zoa.
It doesn't do all you listed, but it's the closest to Xynthesizr.
Riffer?
Helium by 4 Pockets has Randomization, uses a piano roll that uses a grid based on grid divisions (1/4; 1/8, 1/16, etc.), is polyphonic and it has a control area to access Velocity, Pitch Bend, Modulation, CCs, etc. Helium’s interface appears more like a traditional MIDI editor in a DAW, than a Step sequencer.
The latest version now includes Ghost Tracks and a Randomization function. Helium offers all 16 MIDI channels per track as well as multi MIDI ports.
Helium can work completely stand-alone as a very powerful tool, because of its Media Bay (file management of Clips, Songs, & Sessions), including Import & Export. And if that isn’t enough, it comes with thousands of MIDI Clips, including chords of all types, scales and chord progressions all grouped in folders.
Because of the included MIDI clips and its Randomization function, Helium is now reaching into Scaler 2 territory. Like Scaler, Helium can now generate random melodies. There is so much functionality built-in to the latest version of Helium, that while it’s labeled a MIDI Sequencer in the App Store, it is that and much, much more!
According to Paul (the developer), Helium is a completely different animal than Atom by 4 Pockets. He said Helium was designed to be used in AUM and its Media Bay works well with AudioShare. I’ve also used it in Cubasis, but I think it’s best to create the stems in AUM and then import those into Cubasis, if need be.
I know I’m late seeing your ask, but i hope this helps!
John
Thanks for the generously detailed response! I have Helium and really enjoy using it. It feels different to me given that it's not a immediate as Xynthesizr, probably because of it being a full fledged piano roll...for me it makes it much less jamable in the moment. I've been using Fugue Machine, Stepbud, Midi Dreams, and Neon as my go to auv3 jam sequencers in AUM.
You really should give Zoa a look.
I have Zoa... Really creative sequencer. It has less control than I'd like when compared with Xynthesizr, though the rhythmic elements are definitely beyond what Xynthesizr can do. For quick polyphonic editing during a jam, Fugue Machine seems to have the closest feel, imo.
What about Cykle? No game-of-life generative, but pretty deep sequencer with easy on off steps...
Enjoy that one also! I actually use it less as a sequencer and more as an arp. I think what I like about Xynthesizr is that it's polyphonic and allows for very easy jamming where you can quickly play with harmony.
My last kick at the can is StepPolyArp. Could fit your use case nicely i think.
Guilty of owning that one too ☺
It is a great app, though I tend to program it and leave it be as an arp. This and Bleass are my two favorite arps. I think that if I thought more in semitones than note names this would be more jammable for me!
Haha, I'm guilty of owning then all too. All beautifully and subtlety unique. 💕
Yes, the midi scene on IOS makes me feel very lucky!
I mean, also let's be real here. Drambo COULD do it... 🤷🏽♂️
I really like Drambo as a step sequencer and it has a strong piano roll interface... As far as a sequencer that allows for polyphonic expression and slick editing while playing live, it leaves a bit to be desired for me. I still think that Fugue Machine, despite some clear limitations (biggest for me being lack of exposed parameters or midi control) is one of the slickest jamming sequencers with its change on release, easy to edit piano roll, and multiple playhead design. I'd buy Xynthesizr over again to have it as an auv3!
Cool. It's great you found an auv3 option that works for you. Happy jamming!
😎
What is it that the Fugue Machine piano roll does and Drambo's piano roll doesn't?
Just to add one more possible candidate: Octachron is mainly a drum Sequencer, but you can generate scales. I find the grid very jam friendly. There is even some randomisation possible.
And I would happily pay for further development of Xynthesizr. Fantastic app.
Good question.
Other than the obvious multiple vs. single playhead part, Drambo's piano roll just feels like, well, a piano roll to me. Great for programming notes that I'll set and forget.
Fugue Machine has performance features like the ability to transpose note ranges, change octaves, invert notes, and fluidly change the size of the loop, all on release so you can time things nicely. The ability to choose a single note and shift velocity through a 3 finger drag is also a slick piece of work. Also, to my knowledge, the Drambo piano roll does not lock to scale and display only D minor scale rows like Fugue Machine. Overall, at least to me, Xynthesizr and Fugue Machine as sequencers feel more like performance oriented instruments because of how the UI and their capabilities (playhead for Fugue machine and randomization for Xynthesizr for instance) meld.
I'm sure that if I practiceed I might be able to do more with Drambo's piano roll on the fly... For me, Drambo as a performance app shines most when clip launching or tweaking synth parameters in real time.
Thanks @NoncompliantBryant, these sound like good points indeed!
Well, Drambo is admittedly capable of almost everything 😂
The Sequencer module can indeed do ping-pong, but I need more details to understand what exactly you've got in mind
There is one thing that Drambo's sequencer module does differently, compared to Fugue Machine:
When running backwards, it will look at Note-On messages instead of Note-Off messages like Fugue Machine, resulting in a different timing.
There is no easy way to do this, maybe a gate inverter fed by note gates from MIDI2CV (plus some more logic) could help work around that but I haven't tried.
Just opened up Cykle again to play. It is polyphonic. It has a lovely "harmonize" section. It's worth a look if you didn't know about it. Happy jamming. 💕
Hehehe... Another one I enjoy ☺
The sequencer you’re looking for is the one you haven’t got yet. And, so far, you’ve got them ALL. 😂
I know, it's The Sickness.
I love sound design and synths, but I've gotten really enamored with the wealth of live jamming midi sequencing tools that we have on iOS. I used to spend all of my time twiddling knobs...now I'm much more likely to spend that time tweaking midi fx parameters. It's so cool to use midi tools that get me making combinations of note that I would never have thought to use in a pianoroll or on one of my hardware synth step sequencers.
It's the midi sequencers / fx that I miss the most when I'm using a desktop DAW (well, and AUM's routing).
I completely sympathize with the original post. I also intended the iPad to be mostly a MIDI sequencer and the closest I got to a flow state while making music with anything is playing Xynthesizr. I so wish a v2 with a few new features and AUv3 would come out though the current one is still great to sequence my hard synths (somehow, it does not work as well inside AUM, there seem to be some lag/latency/timing irregularity and I do not have any good sounding iOS synths--in fact Xynth's synth engine is my best iOS synth also) and a desktop version would be cool as well (though it would not be as fun to click the grid steps with a mouse).
I have Zoa and Ooda but they are not as direct as Xynth. Nothing has been.