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.