[net.micro.cbm] c-64 music review

jf4@bonnie.UUCP (John Fourney) (11/08/84)

Herein lies a short review of the Sequential Circuits sequencer for
the C-64.

Facts:  about 4000 notes using the C-64's RAM
        MIDI interface to Synthesizers and drum machines
        8 sequences can be created
        6 tracks per sequence (5 overdubs)
        1 song can be created from up to 18 sequences

In a word this unit is interesting.  However it has serious
limitations for professional applications.  

The unit I bought did not have the software update which allows
you to assign the tracks to different MIDI channels.  It also didn't
turn off notes correctly when you stopped.  Well they fixed that
with revision 1.

I wish they would fix the overdubbing procedure.  When you start
the first track you can enter a program change before you actually
start recording notes.  You'd think that overdubs would work the
same way, but they don't.  You can't put anything at the beginning
of an overdub.  It really sounds funky to not be able to come in
on the downbeat!  If you're not using a drum machine to sync to
the sequencer you can wait til the first track loops and then
start on one.  No can do with a drum machine.  This is the most
limiting problem.

The cassette interface doesn't work too well.  Data looks like it
can be stored, but when it's read back it can't be played.
A minor point!  I haven't tried using a disc drive yet, but 
floppies are supposed to be much more reliable.

It would be nice if you could turn off the storage of touch
sensitivity information.  It eats way too much memory.

There are a lot of good ideas in this product.  SCI is trying to
learn enough to put out sequencers for apple and IBM.  If their
software consultants would fix the above mentioned problems this
unit would be highly recommended.  

Has anyone looked at other sequencers?  I think there are ones
by Yamaha, Korg, and Passport Designs.