Easy to use sequencer for practicing?

[jbear]

I am looking into getting a sequencer that will help me develop certain aspects of my playing. I have heard good things about the Yamaha QY100 and I see a QY70 as well, which is less expensive. I really know nothing about these things, but I'd like to learn. I'd like something that doesn't require me to become a software engineer in order to use it effectively. Do I use these with amps? Headphones? My computer? Can anyone give me the "Using/Practicing with Sequencers 101" course...or point me in the right direction for some info?
Thanks all!

[woyvel]

By sequencer I think you're referring to a looper. There are plenty on the market and some very simple to use. There are also multi-effects units that will include them, as well as delay units that have some looping capability.

Just looping - simple and least cost: Check out the DigiTech JamMan Solo o the Boss RC-2. These are the basic loopers in each line but have plenty of capability for practice and live situations. Both cost under $200 US. Line 6 also has the JM4 which is more geared toward practice and songwriting than the others, in my opinion. It also has backing tracks and amp modeling built in, and is about $100 more than the other two.

Just looping - advanced: DigiTech Stereo Jam Man and Boss Rc-20 are the next steps up, and then you go to more complex machines like the Echoplex, Boomerang, and RC-50 that are packed with live performance features.

Delay pedals with looping: Line 6 DL4 delay is an industry standard these days. Boss DD-20 has a sound-on-sound loop capability along with the delays. Akai Headrush has been popular as a looper as well as delay.

Electro Harmonix 2880 is more like 4-track recorder with looping ability.

DigiTech and Line 6 also have loopers built into multi-effects units. I use a Line 6 M13 that has a looper.

I hope this is what you were looking for.

[fep]

Try Reaper for a sequencer on a computer (Mac or PC) and you'll get a full blown recording software also. I believe it's only $50 (and you can try it for free during a trial period), an incredible value.

For practice... what are you trying to do? How are you planning on entering notes into the sequencer?

[spiral]

I think the OP might mean a sequencer in the sense of a MIDI sequencer which is why the QY70 was mentioned.

You might have already found your answer in the QY70 / QY100. Are you wanting a "band in a box" type thing where you can create changes / chords for a whole song, and have a bunch of synthesized instruments? Or a guitar trainer to play MP3's to practice one phrase at a time? Or maybe a SMF player where you can just download MIDI files and play along with them?

The problem with the QY70 & QY100 is that they were made in the mid/late 90's so some of the storage cards / transfer methods are out of date. But there also isn't any compact hardware quite like it: compact, all-in-one composing tool (though smartphones are getting there now).

• If you want to play back premade material (ie. MIDI files) you need a computer sequencer or MIDI/SMF player with a built-in set of synth sounds (most keyboards will do this too).
• If you want to write your own chord changes and play with a beat you want an arranger / groovebox / the QY100.
• If you want to play certain sections of songs in a loop, you need a guitar trainer.

The QY70 is unique in that there aren't too many stand-alone hardware boxes do what it does anymore since the computer has taken over (the QY100 is still in production after all these years).

SMF arrangers & players:
Roland U.S. - DisCover 5M: Realtime Orchestrator
QY100
MT-90U: Music Player

Guitar trainer these will allow you to load MP3s, slow them down, and typically have a built in metronome, tuner, effects, and are very portable:
TASCAM


If you have a smartphone you may also want to check to see if there are any apps which can play midi files, or arrangers, or guitar trainers that do what you want.

Post back if anyone has gotten close to what you are wanting. I think everyone is a little unclear.

[spiral]

ps. If you have an iPhone i just found 4 composing / playing apps:

Pro Chords - Instant Inspiration
Symphony
Simple Songwriter
MIDI Player 2

etc.

[TieDyedDevil]

Unless you're already familiar with programming a variety of sequencers and MIDI devices, I'd advise against going down that path. In the long run, it's a useful skill to have. But it takes a lot of effort and trial-and-error to reach the point where you can do something useful with a hardware sequencer.

I'd suggest looking into something like Garage Band or Band in a Box; these have much shorter learning curves.

A looper is different than a sequencer. A looper records audio and plays it back over and over. For quick-and-easy practice sessions over - say - a fixed progression, a looper lets you record yourself playing the backing chords then - with the tap of a toe - set that pattern to repeat while you work out a solo. Even this requires a certain amount of skill and practice to get the timing exactly right.

[jbear]

Thank you all for responding...looks like I have some homework to do!