Category Archives: Sequencer

Audio sequencers

Music Tribe Open Source ~ Opening Up Music Hardware

Posted by tom2tec on

Music Tribe Open Source (MTOS) is an initiative from MUSIC Tribe, the company behind brands including Behringer, to make music hardware more open and accessible to developers and the wider music-making community. Its aim is to publish the hardware documentation and software foundations needed for people to develop alternative firmware, applications and new uses for its equipment. The idea is to move beyond closed, manufacturer-controlled instruments and invite the community to help shape what they can become.

Some of its most interesting projects include:

  • Behringer KICK (0700-AAM) – Source code for a standalone music production centre featuring a sampler, step sequencer, looper, touchscreen, effects and MIDI/CV connectivity. The repository includes its application, audio engine and hardware communication protocol.
  • Behringer IGNITE (0716-AAF) – A 64-channel multitrack sequencer with an internal sound engine, touchscreen, five MIDI ports and eight CV/Gate outputs. Its source and supporting system components are published, although the repository does not yet provide an official firmware release.
  • PRO-800 Firmware Packer – A utility for creating custom firmware update files for the Behringer PRO-800 analogue synthesizer, accompanied by main-board schematics and technical information.
  • Behringer BCR32 (0715-AAW) – Demo firmware, schematics and microcontroller interface documentation for the BCR32 MIDI controller, providing a practical starting point for hardware experimentation.

The projects are released under open-source licences, principally AGPL-3.0, and the organization welcomes contributions through GitHub. MTOS is a young initiative, but its significance goes beyond any individual instrument: it represents an opportunity for musicians and developers to gain greater control over the hardware they use.

Hyphon ~ Web Based Sequencer

Posted by tom2tec on

A 32-step sequencer with dual synths, drums, sampler, and TTS voice synthesis powered by Web Audio + Pyodide.

Features:

  • Dual synthesizers (Lead & Bass) with ADSR, filters, and waveform selection
  • Drum machine (Kick, Snare, Hi-Hats)
  • Sampler with Supertonic TTS integration – Generate speech from text
  • Voice Designer – Real-time voice parameter editing with GPU-accelerated DSP
  • 32-step pattern sequencer with 8 pattern slots per track
  • Song mode for arranging patterns
  • Hardware-style interface with knobs and LED feedback
  • XM module export

go.1ink.us/hyphon
github.com/ford442/web_sequencer

QMidiArp ~ MIDI Arpeggiator & Phrase Generator

Posted by tom2tec on

QMidiArp is a MIDI arpeggiator, phrase generator and controller LFO for ALSA and JACK. It can run multiple synchronized arpeggiators, LFOs and step sequencers. The modules are also available as LV2 plugins with Qt user interface. QMidiArp has been growing since June 2009 on top of Matthias Nagorni’s original arp idea.

Features:

  • Programmable arpeggio patterns, LFO waveforms and sequences
  • Modular setup of arpeggiators, MIDI LFOs and step sequencers
  • MIDI-controllable (MIDI-Learn)
  • Synchronization with MIDI Clock or JACK Transport possible
  • Optional triggering by keyboard or continuous play mode for all modules
  • Patterns can be stored and switched by MIDI control while running
  • JACK MIDI or ALSA MIDI backends
  • Modules available as LV2 Plugins

qmidiarp.sourceforge.net
sourceforge.net/projects/qmidiarp
github.com/emuse/qmidiarp
man.archlinux.org/man/qmidiarp.1.en
www.freshports.org/audio/qmidiarp

qmidiarp

Video:

Packages:

packages.debian.org/trixie/qmidiarp
packages.fedoraproject.org/pkgs/qmidiarp

References:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesizer#Arpeggiators
www.linuxjournal.com/content/linux-arpeggiators-part-1
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Linux_Sound_Architecture
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-frequency_oscillation
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JACK_Audio_Connection_Kit

Sequencer64 ~ Live MIDI Looper

Posted by tom2tec on

Sequencer64 is a live MIDI looper with a song-creation layout window. Sequencer64 is a reboot of seq24, extending it greatly over the last six years. The heart of seq24 remains intact. It is an old friend with a whole lot of added equipment. It has an extensive manual and Windows installers. Sequencer64 has build options for ALSA, PortMidi, JACK, Gtkmm 2.4, Qt 5, Windows, and a command-line/daemon.

github.com/ahlstromcj/sequencer64

line ~ Command Line MIDI Sequencer

Posted by tom2tec on

A tiny command-line midi sequencer for live coding.

  • Sends MIDI messages to a chosen MIDI channel. Default is 1.
  • 1 instrument or 1 CC
github.com/pd3v/line
line running in a Terminal window

JJazzLab ~ Generate Backing Tracks

Posted by tom2tec on

JJazzLab is a Midi-based application dedicated to backing tracks generation. You type in chord symbols, select a rhythm (style), then the application generates a complete backing track with drums, bass, guitar, piano, strings, etc.

The objective is to generate intelligent and interesting backing tracks, i.e tracks which are:

  • realistic
  • non-boring (with variations)
  • easily customizable, even for complex songs
github.com/jjazzboss/JJazzLab
jjazzlab.gitbook.io/user-guide
www.facebook.com/jjazzlab/
www.youtube.com/channel/UC0L3SwjY6bhTj6jsbOYzzAw
JJazzLab user Interface

Buzztrax ~ All In One Music Composer

Posted by tom2tec on

Buzztrax aims to be a music studio that allows one to compose songs using only a computer with a soundcard. If you’ve used tracker programs like FastTracker, Impulse Tracker, or the original AMIGA SoundTracker, that will give you an idea of how one can sequence music in Buzztrax.

The Buzztrax editor uses a similar concept, where a song consists of a sequence with tracks and in each track one uses patterns with events (musical notes and control changes). In contrast to other Tracker programs, tracks are not simply sample players: a user can make a song using an arrangement of virtual audio plugins that are linked together to create different effects. Each of these machines can be controlled real-time or via patterns in the sequencer.

www.buzztrax.org
Buzztrax User Interface Image

Anvil Studio ~ Freeware Digital Audio Workstation

Posted by tom2tec on

Anvil Studio™ is a free Windows 11, 10 / 8.x / 7 program designed for people who want to:

  • record music with MIDI and Audio equipment
  • compose music for MIDI and Audio equipment
  • sequence music with MIDI equipment
  • play with music using a computer, and
  • print sheet music from standard MIDI files with the optional Print-Sheet accessory.

anvilstudio.com

terminatorX ~ Realtime Audio Synthesizer

Posted by tom2tec on

 This software allows “scratching” on digitally sampled audio data (*.wav, *.au, *.ogg, *.mp3, etc.) the way hip hop DJs scratch on vinyl records. It features multiple turntables, realtime effects (built-in as well as LADSPA plugin effects), a sequencer and MIDI interface – all accessible through an easy-to-use gtk+ GUI. This software is designed to run under Linux, FreeBSD and the like.

terminatorx.org

Sunvox ~ Create Music & Add Synth Tracks

Posted by tom2tec on

SunVox is a small, fast and powerful music sequencer with modular synthesizers. This application is addressed at all those who want to compose music everywhere they go.

Built-in synthesizers: FM; Generator; Sampler (supported formats: WAV, XI); SpectraVoice (FFT-based synth for analog-like pads); Kicker; Stereo Delay; Distortion; Echo; Filter; Vocal Filter; Flanger; LFO; Loop; Reverb.

Features and highlights:
  • Modular interface
  • Highly optimized synth algorithms
  • Flexible architecture: SunVox can working on various devices
  • Built-in synthesizers & effects
  • Analog Generator
  • DrumSynth with 120 unique synthetic drum sounds
  • FM synthesizer
  • MetaModule (use it to build your own synths/effects)

Windows download available sunvox.en.lo4d.com/windows
www.apksum.com/app/sunvox/nightradio.sunvox
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nightradio.sunvox
apps.apple.com/ca/app/sunvox/id324462544

CheeseTracker ~ Sampler & Sequencer

Posted by tom2tec on

CheeseTracker is a software sampler and step-based sequencer. It allows a musician to turn single-note samples into instruments capable of covering three or four octaves (by playing the samples at different speeds, resulting in different pitches). In addition, it is possible to take a collection of samples that are recorded at different octaves, and combine them into a single “instrument,” allowing for even more octaves without sampling artifacts.

Using the Pattern Editor, it is possible to compose songs with these instruments that the computer plays automatically. The Pattern Editor allows the user to arrange samples in several independant channels, so that many samples can play simultaneously. These songs, and the samples which comprise their instruments, can be saved together in one-file archives called modules.

CheeseTracker imposes no limits on the length of the samples used. As a result, it can be used as a mixer as well as a sampler/sequencer. Effects such as reverb can be applied to each sample individually, eliminating the need for expensive pedals.

cheesetracker.sourceforge.net

AUBE ~ Sound Generation & Processing

Posted by tom2tec on

AUBE is a system for sound generation and processing. You can process audio on the fly by setting up arbitrary configurations of sound generators, sequencers and effects modules, through which sound is played, filtered, and recorded.

www.metadecks.org/software/aube