Thank you for the excellent demo. I can't wait for mine to arrive this coming Tuesday. I'm a sucker for sequencers and the Black Sequencer's feature set and interface suits me perfectly. Edit: You should be able to come up with something delicious on the Turing Machine and record it into the Black Sequencer for later recall. I plan to. 🙂
Excellent demo, functionalities are well explained and love how well paced the video is. A true reflection of how easy is to operate without having to look at the manual. Well done!
Very impressive UI! They clearly have put a lot of thought and work into that. I realize the target use is slightly different, but I feel this is a better alternative to the Metropolix, and cheaper too. Does everything the Metropolix does and more. Biggest difference that you get direct visual feedback of the current state of the faders, steps etc. on the Metropolix. Eurorack modules are getting so advanced and complex, that soon there will be a module with Ableton built in, and then we are back to what many Eurorack users are trying to escape. ;-) Of course nobody is forcing anyone to getting complex modules, but they might sneak in without the users really realizing it.
got one yesterday after you pointed out 4 triggers via mod outs at 18:18 i think this is a key feature that many people have yet to realize. this sold me. it's so lovely, and resolves a long search for a heavy lifting sequencer and feels so incredibly intuitive. it was my fav visually since day one but i wanted drum duties covered. the black sequencer is truly a spaceship command center. i could go on and on. feels incredible and inspiring to the touch and gorgeous to watch. everyone ought to try one 🖤🎛🖤
@@JohnTrasher undoubtedly useful for live, beyond even what i've been doing with it. like anything, there's learning curves, but once you're familiar it's second nature. everyone's workflow is different but it can be good for planned sets w/multiple patterns or jamming on one pattern in a more evolving manner. the sixteen knobs give you access to each note which is very immediate. you can take time programming meticulously or let it play and get ideas as you go. i've found it to be the one sequencer that covers all these bases and lays it out in a pleasing manner. i tried eloquencer, steppy, pico seq; all were fun, but this does all of it and justifies it's high hp, imo. like anything, best to try it first hand but i really cannot imagine a lot of instances where a black sequencer wouldn't prove itself useful/worthy. maybe try one on a 30day return policy and keep it mint if you're uncertain.
So cool! Had my eyes on a Dark Time for a long time. Only recently started looking for alternatives, MetropoliS/X, Misha, but this feels so versatile and inviting! Thanks!
Thanks for putting this together. I'm sold! Been wanting a way to play patterns as a song. Love the extra bits with the EG and LFO mod. Its a big module but I dont need an ADSR. Plus having a track to seq an external piece of kit is so cool and something I cant do at the moment.
Brilliant explanation and thorough description :) Thanks. PS, mine is incoming and I cancelled my Rene order.... this seems so much more accessible. Great.
Thanks for this thorough demo. I have Ground Control for a month now, but I'm considering Black Seq to spend some time with it and make a final decision. I'm hoping one of you reviewer types will do a Five12 Vector Seq vs. Ground Control vs. Black Sequencer deep dive comparison soon!
Great video Starsky! Sure looks like a beast that one. I only wish more manufacturers would include the brownian/drunken-walk pattern for step-direction, it's so useful and musical.
This is my dream sequencer module. Unfortunately I already own a Synthstrom Deluge, Voltage Block & Varigate 4+ and René sequencer, so I'm good for sequencers. But this is now on my wishlist. Erica Synths is one of my all time favorite companies. I'm considering getting this sequencer for their travel case and filling it with their 3hp Pico modular system. Eurorack is an addiction..
Just got the sequencer. Took me a second to remember how to do SETUP with MOD but now that Ive got that, Im cruising along making tracks. Still not sure I understand that Master length setting. Gonna start working on a basic song to make sure I understand when and how I need to change the Master Length amount. First impression is this is hands down the easiest and most powerful sequencer I've used. Just ordered the Acid Rain Maestro. This seq and the Maestro should be all I need for modulation...and buttons to click.
Think of the master length as the smallest block you can lay.. so if it's 64 steps you won't be able to lay a single 16 --- you'll have to lay 4 of them at once to fill the block. If your block is 16 but your pattern is 64 if you change patterns, it'll change every 16 - so you may not get to the end!,,, something like that anyway. It really confused me especially when I didn't realise it was even there!
@@StarskyCarr Let's say I have a 4 pattern song, where pattern 1 is 16, 2 is 32, 3 is 8 and 4 is 20. Does that mean I just need to set the master length to my longest pattern? And is there an impact on the playback if I pick the longest length but have shorter patterns? Why not just have the master length always set to 64?
I am waiting for some firmware updates then maybe next year get one. Love their modules but had my heart set on a 512 Vector sequencer this year. Maybe next year will get the black sequencer and also new Endorphin.es Ground control and some more gear.
Feature-packed video! I’m new to the modular world and do have an Elektron Octatrack Mk2 which is amazing and requires a decent amount of patience to read and apply the info in the manual. I’d love to use it with the Eurorack setup in the future. I was looking for an all-in-1 module similar to the heavy lifting of the Octatrack and viewed reviews/demonstrations of Metropolix, Hermod, and Mirphagen.es… Looking to create generative ambient house. I see the simplicity you’re speaking about! As a newcomer, excuse my lack of knowledge but: 1. Do you find any of the other sequencers stacking up to this (such as the Hermod)? 2. What modules did you control with the Black Sequencer that produced those sweet sounds? Or did the Black Sequencer have its own Oscillator? Excuse the question if I missed you addressing it earlier. I like your production and explanation. Nice editing and you explain pretty clearly! Cheers to more!
Thanks. I've never used the Hermod so can't comment, but everything depends on how you like to program and build patches. what's great for one person may be different for another. What I can say is that this is so feature packed it'll keep you going for years. I've looked at others land even thought they look attractive with lots of sliders... this can do the same tasks. The addition of the LFOs envs etc is great - very handy - as well. I was using the Erica Wavetable OSC. Using the envs and LFOs to sweep through the wavetables is fantastic when you hit the right spot. It negates the need for filters, or completely changes a tone with one signal rather than processing via tonnes of stuff. I've a video on that as well you should be able to find.
Always great content, thank you! This sequencer is on my wish list from now on! (I have to wait until it is out of favour and cheap in the future, but before it is getting vintage and expensive again..) :D
you all probably dont give a shit but does any of you know a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my account password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me!
@Beckett Kashton i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im trying it out atm. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
Nice Demo! I have a question about the Stepped LFO. It looks like they haven't finished the little pop-up screen for that one, so we can't see exactly what's going on there. Are you able to change the rate of the LFO per step in addition to the shape? (It sounds like maybe you do that on the last step.) And if so, can it go slower than 1 cycle per step?
No, its set at a standard value... although it's a nice idea for future firmware update. The last sq does sound different though... no idea why. Maybe there's something else happening that's interacting with it..??
An attractive and deep design, but somewhat complex in the connections with other devices. A week since I bought the device and I still haven't managed to send or receive midi with my tr8 and torsoT1. Still looking for a solution. I don't know if anyone will have an answer to this.
Yeah.. just played a 30 second note.. Sounds fine. Very stable, but analog sounding - could be the polivoks oscillator making it analog sounding ;) but yes, no problems at all.
Hey my black sequencer us having an issue i think. When i press the start button the stop button comes on instead. Is this an issue I can fix? And how. The sequencer doesnt run when I click play.
@@StarskyCarr wow has alot going on under the hood...i have the drum sequenser but im finding some problems like no BPM per pattern which is very limiting. Does the black sequencer allow this per pattern? Or is it saved per project not sure how the saving structure works on the BS?
Loving mine so far! Is there a per track transpose? Be nice to have some level control on each step the step LFO! Last thing, add 4 more sequencing tracks for the midi!!! I know it not up to you but if your feeling this and you speak to Erica synths - give em A shout!!! Haha. Great video again! Keep em Coming
I've not found a per track transpose if there is one. But there is a record mode now so maybe possible to do something with that. It seems this could be a simple addition to the firmware though..?
@@StarskyCarr Will check that out! I also had an email back from Erica.. Asking if some features would be implemented. Turned out they already are! Kind of want to see if we can rally for the midi tracks (say 4 of them) could be on 4 separate sequencing tracks. Was looking at the vector by five12 but the black sequencer appealed to my style of music!
Does this system works without plugging in cables also? Like the Techno-System or do you always have to put and plug cables externally like in any other modular system first? cheers.
I'm trying to see if this could avoid me having to buy a voltage block. Can you do something like a filter sweep on the 8th note in a bar for instance? I'm not sure exactly whether the modulation feature in this will do that.
You can put an envelope on that note on a CV track and control your filter.. yes. … I say that as it seems obvious to me, it so simple I’ll have to check 😂. But yeah that’s what the envelopes per step are for. 👍
Yeah.. interesting. It's a bit like 4 Metropolis's with added functionality on each. It's got all the same functions plus a load more. I've not compared it in the video - simply because I've not played the Intellijel, just read the specs. The envelopes and LFOs in this are genius. When I first started creating a multitrack session it was a revelation..
@@StarskyCarr Thanks for these comments and also for your excellent review/demonstration. I think this has to be one of best user interfaces I have ever seen - so much functionality, so clearly and logically accessible. Calling all Metropolis owners out there - are you tempted or while having less functionality, do you think that the Metropolis has any unique benefits not covered by the Erica Synths sequencer?
@@CB-zu4md check out Loopop review of black sequencer, that the ability to quickly change note length is easier on Metropolis was one detail. Seems like black sequencer creates note length by tying stages together. Just different routes
Thank you for the excellent demo. I can't wait for mine to arrive this coming Tuesday. I'm a sucker for sequencers and the Black Sequencer's feature set and interface suits me perfectly.
Edit: You should be able to come up with something delicious on the Turing Machine and record it into the Black Sequencer for later recall. I plan to. 🙂
Nice idea
Excellent demo, functionalities are well explained and love how well paced the video is. A true reflection of how easy is to operate without having to look at the manual. Well done!
Very impressive UI! They clearly have put a lot of thought and work into that.
I realize the target use is slightly different, but I feel this is a better alternative to the Metropolix, and cheaper too. Does everything the Metropolix does and more. Biggest difference that you get direct visual feedback of the current state of the faders, steps etc. on the Metropolix.
Eurorack modules are getting so advanced and complex, that soon there will be a module with Ableton built in, and then we are back to what many Eurorack users are trying to escape. ;-) Of course nobody is forcing anyone to getting complex modules, but they might sneak in without the users really realizing it.
got one yesterday after you pointed out 4 triggers via mod outs at 18:18 i think this is a key feature that many people have yet to realize. this sold me. it's so lovely, and resolves a long search for a heavy lifting sequencer and feels so incredibly intuitive. it was my fav visually since day one but i wanted drum duties covered. the black sequencer is truly a spaceship command center. i could go on and on. feels incredible and inspiring to the touch and gorgeous to watch. everyone ought to try one 🖤🎛🖤
Useable for live Play? Immediate Or too much menudiving ?
@@JohnTrasher undoubtedly useful for live, beyond even what i've been doing with it. like anything, there's learning curves, but once you're familiar it's second nature. everyone's workflow is different but it can be good for planned sets w/multiple patterns or jamming on one pattern in a more evolving manner. the sixteen knobs give you access to each note which is very immediate. you can take time programming meticulously or let it play and get ideas as you go. i've found it to be the one sequencer that covers all these bases and lays it out in a pleasing manner. i tried eloquencer, steppy, pico seq; all were fun, but this does all of it and justifies it's high hp, imo. like anything, best to try it first hand but i really cannot imagine a lot of instances where a black sequencer wouldn't prove itself useful/worthy. maybe try one on a 30day return policy and keep it mint if you're uncertain.
@@lovedeathdisco yeah i went for it. ;)
Thank you for this video, love how you break everything down and no rabbit holes on this sequencer! Cheers.
So cool! Had my eyes on a Dark Time for a long time. Only recently started looking for alternatives, MetropoliS/X, Misha, but this feels so versatile and inviting! Thanks!
Thanks for putting this together. I'm sold! Been wanting a way to play patterns as a song. Love the extra bits with the EG and LFO mod. Its a big module but I dont need an ADSR. Plus having a track to seq an external piece of kit is so cool and something I cant do at the moment.
Brilliant explanation and thorough description :) Thanks. PS, mine is incoming and I cancelled my Rene order.... this seems so much more accessible. Great.
Wow, I didn’t realize the mod lanes can be used for separate triggers. This really makes it into potentially the only sequencer you need.
100% sold me. was surprised i didn't know this before. picked one up a few hrs after watching this.
Thanks for this thorough demo. I have Ground Control for a month now, but I'm considering Black Seq to spend some time with it and make a final decision. I'm hoping one of you reviewer types will do a Five12 Vector Seq vs. Ground Control vs. Black Sequencer deep dive comparison soon!
Great video Starsky! Sure looks like a beast that one. I only wish more manufacturers would include the brownian/drunken-walk pattern for step-direction, it's so useful and musical.
Well worth putting a request to Erica, they’re really responsive and if it can be added they may well do it!
Amazing this looks like the sequencer for me finally.
you just sold me on this, unfortunately i also had to order a bigger (6U 104hp) case as well. well, well i am sure it's worth it. great video!
This is my dream sequencer module. Unfortunately I already own a Synthstrom Deluge, Voltage Block & Varigate 4+ and René sequencer, so I'm good for sequencers. But this is now on my wishlist. Erica Synths is one of my all time favorite companies. I'm considering getting this sequencer for their travel case and filling it with their 3hp Pico modular system. Eurorack is an addiction..
How do you use your deluge for your modular Setup? What purposes?
awesome review, keep it up!
Very Nice explanation! I want it! 👋☕️ from France.
Just got the sequencer. Took me a second to remember how to do SETUP with MOD but now that Ive got that, Im cruising along making tracks. Still not sure I understand that Master length setting. Gonna start working on a basic song to make sure I understand when and how I need to change the Master Length amount. First impression is this is hands down the easiest and most powerful sequencer I've used. Just ordered the Acid Rain Maestro. This seq and the Maestro should be all I need for modulation...and buttons to click.
Think of the master length as the smallest block you can lay.. so if it's 64 steps you won't be able to lay a single 16 --- you'll have to lay 4 of them at once to fill the block. If your block is 16 but your pattern is 64 if you change patterns, it'll change every 16 - so you may not get to the end!,,, something like that anyway. It really confused me especially when I didn't realise it was even there!
@@StarskyCarr Let's say I have a 4 pattern song, where pattern 1 is 16, 2 is 32, 3 is 8 and 4 is 20. Does that mean I just need to set the master length to my longest pattern? And is there an impact on the playback if I pick the longest length but have shorter patterns? Why not just have the master length always set to 64?
I am waiting for some firmware updates then maybe next year get one. Love their modules but had my heart set on a 512 Vector sequencer this year. Maybe next year will get the black sequencer and also new Endorphin.es Ground control and some more gear.
Great video, would be nice if the arpeggio could have a divider to slow it down while using faster tempos
Feature-packed video! I’m new to the modular world and do have an Elektron Octatrack Mk2 which is amazing and requires a decent amount of patience to read and apply the info in the manual. I’d love to use it with the Eurorack setup in the future. I was looking for an all-in-1 module similar to the heavy lifting of the Octatrack and viewed reviews/demonstrations of Metropolix, Hermod, and Mirphagen.es… Looking to create generative ambient house. I see the simplicity you’re speaking about! As a newcomer, excuse my lack of knowledge but:
1. Do you find any of the other sequencers stacking up to this (such as the Hermod)?
2. What modules did you control with the Black Sequencer that produced those sweet sounds? Or did the Black Sequencer have its own Oscillator? Excuse the question if I missed you addressing it earlier.
I like your production and explanation. Nice editing and you explain pretty clearly! Cheers to more!
Thanks. I've never used the Hermod so can't comment, but everything depends on how you like to program and build patches. what's great for one person may be different for another. What I can say is that this is so feature packed it'll keep you going for years. I've looked at others land even thought they look attractive with lots of sliders... this can do the same tasks. The addition of the LFOs envs etc is great - very handy - as well.
I was using the Erica Wavetable OSC. Using the envs and LFOs to sweep through the wavetables is fantastic when you hit the right spot. It negates the need for filters, or completely changes a tone with one signal rather than processing via tonnes of stuff. I've a video on that as well you should be able to find.
Very good demo 🙏🏻
Thanks. Hopefully it was useful.
Always great content, thank you! This sequencer is on my wish list from now on!
(I have to wait until it is out of favour and cheap in the future, but before it is getting vintage and expensive again..) :D
you all probably dont give a shit but does any of you know a trick to log back into an instagram account..?
I was dumb forgot my account password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me!
@Ari Ryder instablaster ;)
@Beckett Kashton i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im trying it out atm.
I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Beckett Kashton it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thanks so much, you really help me out !
@Ari Ryder Happy to help :)
It’s like the Metropolis on Steroids
This sequencer is DEEP!
Would it be redundant to use this with a 1010Bitbox?
It's bit like mini Cirklon in eurorack :D
Nice Demo! I have a question about the Stepped LFO. It looks like they haven't finished the little pop-up screen for that one, so we can't see exactly what's going on there. Are you able to change the rate of the LFO per step in addition to the shape? (It sounds like maybe you do that on the last step.) And if so, can it go slower than 1 cycle per step?
No, its set at a standard value... although it's a nice idea for future firmware update. The last sq does sound different though... no idea why. Maybe there's something else happening that's interacting with it..??
An attractive and deep design, but somewhat complex in the connections with other devices. A week since I bought the device and I still haven't managed to send or receive midi with my tr8 and torsoT1. Still looking for a solution. I don't know if anyone will have an answer to this.
hey man nice video, how is the cv pitch tracking on it? it is stable on long notes without gliding?
Yeah.. just played a 30 second note.. Sounds fine. Very stable, but analog sounding - could be the polivoks oscillator making it analog sounding ;) but yes, no problems at all.
Hey my black sequencer us having an issue i think. When i press the start button the stop button comes on instead. Is this an issue I can fix? And how. The sequencer doesnt run when I click play.
Are you sequenceing the drums on this with the black sequencer? Nice one
Yes, everything is sequenced from it, using the extra mod channels triggers. Still had spare capacity as well!
@@StarskyCarr wow has alot going on under the hood...i have the drum sequenser but im finding some problems like no BPM per pattern which is very limiting. Does the black sequencer allow this per pattern? Or is it saved per project not sure how the saving structure works on the BS?
Can this sequencer do Sample and Hold LFO's?
Loving mine so far! Is there a per track transpose? Be nice to have some level control on each step the step LFO! Last thing, add 4 more sequencing tracks for the midi!!! I know it not up to you but if your feeling this and you speak to Erica synths - give em
A shout!!! Haha. Great video again! Keep em
Coming
I've not found a per track transpose if there is one. But there is a record mode now so maybe possible to do something with that. It seems this could be a simple addition to the firmware though..?
I've just downloaded the new version of the manual and its there! on page 18 www.ericasynths.lv/media/BlackSequencer_manual_6-1-2021_FINAL.pdf
@@StarskyCarr Will check that out! I also had an email back from Erica.. Asking if some features would be implemented. Turned out they already are! Kind of want to see if we can rally for the midi tracks (say 4 of them) could be on 4 separate sequencing tracks. Was looking at the vector by five12 but the black sequencer appealed to my style of music!
Does this system works without plugging in cables also? Like the Techno-System or do you always have to put and plug cables externally like in any other modular system first? cheers.
It doesn’t make any of its own sounds, it controls other modules. Sonic you want to hear anything you’ll need to connect it to other stuff.
@@StarskyCarr okay thank you i did not knew that.
I'm trying to see if this could avoid me having to buy a voltage block. Can you do something like a filter sweep on the 8th note in a bar for instance? I'm not sure exactly whether the modulation feature in this will do that.
You can put an envelope on that note on a CV track and control your filter.. yes. … I say that as it seems obvious to me, it so simple I’ll have to check 😂. But yeah that’s what the envelopes per step are for. 👍
Now that this exists you would be mad to buy a Metropolis - discuss...!
Yeah.. interesting. It's a bit like 4 Metropolis's with added functionality on each. It's got all the same functions plus a load more. I've not compared it in the video - simply because I've not played the Intellijel, just read the specs. The envelopes and LFOs in this are genius. When I first started creating a multitrack session it was a revelation..
@@StarskyCarr Thanks for these comments and also for your excellent review/demonstration.
I think this has to be one of best user interfaces I have ever seen - so much functionality, so clearly and logically accessible.
Calling all Metropolis owners out there - are you tempted or while having less functionality, do you think that the Metropolis has any unique benefits not covered by the Erica Synths sequencer?
@@CB-zu4md check out Loopop review of black sequencer, that the ability to quickly change note length is easier on Metropolis was one detail. Seems like black sequencer creates note length by tying stages together. Just different routes
Best synth company on the planet. Walks all over moog
Maybe some people like it, but please switch off the background music, it's really not necessary.
That’s a shame. I thought it gave it an upbeat feel. Felt bare without it once it was in there. :(
@@StarskyCarr I like it - keep it
@@StarskyCarr I like the music, great!
@@StarskyCarr I reckon keep it for the intro but maybe consider removing it from the interface section in future, might confuse some viewers
@@StarskyCarr I liked the music and thought this video was very helpful, thank you!