Sequencer reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 362 Reddit reviews across 15 subreddits and 60 posts to rank the best Sequencer brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/synthesizers, r/modular, r/eurorack, r/dawless, r/ableton. Top-rated brands include Elektron (4.4/5), Korg (4.0/5), Arturia (4.2/5).

Stats

Reviews362

Subreddits15

Posts60

Brands73

Products61

Top communities

r/synthesizers224 r/modular68 r/eurorack14 r/dawless11 r/ableton10

362 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Elektron

4.4

(37)

"Digitakt I is a very good option too. Very quick at editing notes."

"Digitakt MK1 has a robust sequencer that can do randomizations, conditional notes, and you can create a lot of variations."

"Get a digitakt, changed the game for me!"

"Elektron gear, love the sequencer on my digi"

"Octatrack/Hermod/Rene combo for me."

"Octatrack for me."

"The Digitakt sequencer is insane and is also a great companion to the CK61."

"I would choose an Elektron sequencer, probably the Digitone 2."

"Digitakt 2 or Digitone 2."

"Second the digitakt recommendation."

Korg

4.0

(27)

"The only solution better than an SQ-1 is two SQ-1 with the MS-20 ;-)"

"Honestly, I'm continuously impressed with the SQ1."

"I like the SQ64 so much, I actually have two."

"Sq64 is absolutely the best budget sequencer. nothing comes close."

"Korg SQ-64 perhaps"

"Korg SQ-1’s is a step sequencer and are very economic."

"SQ-1. This is what you can do with an SQ-1 and MS-20."

"The sq1 pairs well with the ms20."

"Lots of love for the SQ-1 here."

"Yeah SQ-1 sounds good."

Arturia

4.2

(25)

"Arturia Beatstep Pro works well for me, the roller/stepper is nice and also allows you to choose between MIDI and CV."

"SQ-64 is awesome for the prices they go for."

"Keystep pro hands down."

"I’m in love with sequencers, I’ve had several hardware sequencers of all sort, and end up selling all of them, except the key step pro."

"Take a look at Beatstep Pro for the more traditional sequencing."

"Beatstep pro is a great piece of gear ... the deluge can do very fine time resolution, automatic humanization/quantization, and easy nudging."

"Beatstep pro?"

"Depending on what you look for arturia beatstep pro (if you like to program) or keystep pro (if you prefer the playing in live) is your best bang for the buck."

"Have you considered Arturia's Beatstep Pro or Keystep Pro though? They're a lot cheaper..."

"The most popular answers I got back were: Oxi One, Beatstep Pro, SQ-64, Synthstrom Deluge and Doepfer Dark Time."

Polyend

4.5

(18)

"The evolved portable performance sequencer — built to dominate both studio and stage with unrivaled control and creative power."

"OXI One Mk2 was just announced today so I’d highly consider that :) the OG is already phenomenal and Mk2 seems to be double… everything almost."

"I'm using Polyend Play with a CV.ocd, but would go with Oxi One if I had to start over. Oxi has way more functionality and amazing features and just works."

"Oxi One FTW is the best one at the moment. Not too complicated if you want to do standard stuff but can get really deep."

"I'm putting in my vote for the OXI One. It's phenomenal."

"Oxi one, by a long shot."

"I recently picked up the Oxi One and I’m fucking loving it. It’s perfect for my setup which is largely Moog semi modular gear (Mother 32, DFAM and Matriarch) and a Soma Pulsar 23."

"Oxi one is incredible. It can do everything you need plus many things you didn’t know you needed. Has totally changed my workflow for the better, even as an ableton controller."

"Oxi One is the current king imo, since it can easily sequence eurorack, hardware synths/drum machines, plugins, ipad apps etc all at the same time."

"Check out Oxi One. “Best” is definitely subjective, but my One is about the most intuitive, comprehensive, and consistently updating/improving piece of kit I’ve ever owned."

Squarp Instruments

4.4

(15)

"I also use a Hapax as my main sequencer. I really find that the Hapax excels at live performance, and it is among the most intuitive sequencers I've used."

"I own Hermod+ and I absolutely love it"

"Squarp Hapax is amazing! Price for performance is great."

"For writing, the Hapax is amazing. Its note view is much like Push, and you can zoom in and out of larger parts/bars really fast."

"People are saying oxi one, but my vote is on the Hapax. Absolute sequencer overkill in so many ways."

"Same here, I don't think I'll ever outgrow the Hapax. Sure I would consider the Oxi too if starting fresh, but this glove fits for now."

"Hapax and Cirklon are top tier. Oxi One is great value and fun."

"I would say the Happax from Squarp Instruments, but saying the best is quite suggestive imo."

"Squarp pyramid, kinda fun to use but still utilitarian."

"I’ve been using a Hermod+ too and really like it."

Squarp

4.4

(14)

"I finally settled on the Squarp Hapax."

"Look for Squarp Pyramid."

"Its very easy to use for drums and melody."

"Squarp Hapax."

"I’m using the Hapax, it’s just amazing."

"Squarp Hapax blows everything out the water"

"Great prices on used Squarp Pyramids at the moment."

"Check out Squarp Pyramid"

"Sometimes I program it with the Squarp Pyramid as it has neat MIDI fx."

"I also used the Squarp pyramid for a long time."

Akai

4.2

(14)

"New generation mpc."

"Can’t go wrong with a MPC."

"The mpc one is my main drum machine and also midi brain now, it's excellent"

"Pretty hard to beat a used mpc one, granted its UI is not for everyone."

"Akai Force!! You can get them mega cheap used, manage samples..."

"Any of the modern Akai MPC line will work well as a MIDI/CV sequencer."

"Akai force and the akai mpcs are great sequencers"

"Then you need a akai MPC. 8 CVS and build in plugins"

"Mpc"

"An Akai Force will work, it will send as many MIDI tracks as you want."

Oxi

4.7

(11)

"IMHO OXI One or Deluge are your best bet."

"Gives you way more options than modular sequencers, while still being very immediate."

"Oxi one , the only choice+"

"Oxi One, Hapax, Torso T-1, and Octatrack Mk2 are all good options."

"I think the OXI one is one of the most compelling machines at the moment."

"Oxi one sequencer."

"Oxi One and an iPad."

"Has a harmonisation feature that allows you to have different sequenced tracks following a chord track."

"Oxi one"

"The most popular answers I got back were: Oxi One, Beatstep Pro, SQ-64, Synthstrom Deluge and Doepfer Dark Time."

Synthstrom Audible

4.5

(11)

"Another vote for the deluge. Sequencer is an absolute dream."

"M8 for full arrangements, but deluge for immediacy and all of the amazing stuff it does in addition to its very robust and flexible sequencing abilities"

"The way zoom works on deluge is great, obviously a ton of other stuff, too, but not enough praise is given for how there are practically infinite steps are available per measure and how fluidly that lets you define sequences"

"I absolutely love the deluge. I've had it about a year now."

"The Deluge is the best sequencer you will find, it is a full arranger."

"Deluge. Had one since 2018."

"Deluge does so many other things it's hard for me to encourage a different hardware sequencer in 2024."

"Try the synthstrom deluge."

"If I didn’t have the deluge I would strongly consider an oxi one."

"A deluge perhaps?"

#10

Oxi One

5.0

(10)

"Another vote for the incredible Oxi One."

"Oxi One, never. looked back"

"If Oxi One is in the budget then you are lucky, because it's awesome, can control 4 devices straight up."

"Oxi One is my best."

"OXI one is amazing."

"Oxi One and Ableton Live are extremely different takes on a sequencer."

"Oxi one, torso t-1, hapax, pyramid, lotsa choices out there."

"Oxi one is dope."

"No one talking about the Oxi One?"

"The OXI One ist just another level."

#11

Synthstrom

4.8

(9)

"Synthstrom Deluge Not only the best hardware sequencer but is a sampler and synth too."

"Might have a look into the synthstrom deluge and its community firmware."

"I mostly use my Deluge as a sequencer... Its an awesome groovebox to boot."

"The Deluge was already amazing when it first released."

"I have a synthstrom deluge and it is a monster."

"I suggest the synthstrom deluge, I use it for that and many other stuff in my workflow."

"But for sequencing a live loop there's pretty much the Deluge."

"The most popular answers I got back were: Oxi One, Beatstep Pro, SQ-64, Synthstrom Deluge and Doepfer Dark Time."

"Deluge has an isomorphic keyboard which can be used for internal sounds and external synths."

#12

Novation

4.3

(10)

"It is a lot easier to approach, pretty great for beginners and it offers a vast array of synth-, drum- and sequencing possibilities."

"Novation Circuit! It's fun, has a lot of immediacy, and is very portable."

"If you’re looking for something cheap I’d say get an original Novation Circuit!"

"I have both and would recommend either without hesitation."

"Novation Circuit isn't the most robust at this kind of stuff, but makes up for it with ease of use and speed."

"Circuit Tracks is super easy to use live."

"Pick up a used circuit tracks or rhythm."

"I have been doing this with Circuit Tracks."

"Circuit Tracks maybe? Can sequence 2 external synths."

"Novation circuit tracks.."

#13

Hapax

4.8

(8)

"Hapax, octatrack, oxi one, Cirklon would all work."

"Hapax here."

"Hapax is the best sequencer I have."

"Happy with the Hapax here, it does pretty much anything and everything as far as sequencing goes."

"For what it’s worth… The Hapax instantly changed my life."

"I love my hapax.. its a powerhouse."

"Hapax, deluge or upcoming reliq hybrid sequencer."

"Hapax or oxi one for better visibility (but they are EXPENSIVE)"

#14

Torso

4.5

(8)

"If you’re into immediate jamming/playing and want something with a lot of tracks, a lot of different I/o and polyphony - and still being able to program ‘in depth’ - the Torso T-1 is the best I’ve found so far."

"The Torso T1, It’s a magic box! You need to learn this thing really good because there is no screen but once you got it is so much fun to play and evolve your patterns!"

"I use a Torso T-1, and I highly recommend it."

"Torso T1 for drums is really on some other level of control."

"Personally I like the Torso T-1, but I don’t really use it for recording. More of a jamming/live performance tool for me."

"Check out Torso T-1 for more experimental sequences..."

"Torso T-1 and iPad."

"Torso T-1 and iPad"

#15

Deluge

4.5

(8)

"If I HAD to chose just one it would probably be the Deluge."

"Deluge or Digitakt seem like good choices."

"Deluge."

"Even a used Deluge isn't cheap, but it is an amazing sequencer."

"The most intuitive and powerful sequencer I have used is on the deluge."

"Synthstrom Deluge"

"Expensive: Deluge (midi recording, just no importing midi files yet) but checks every other box."

"Deluge. No track limits."

#16

Cirklon

5.0

(6)

"I can sequence every piece of hardware and individual tracks for all of my Elektron devices."

"Cirklon or the ER-101/102."

"Cirklon."

"...and also the Cirklon completely forgot about it until I got the email after four years on the waiting list."

"I never preferred a sequencer over using Ableton until I got my Cirklon finally!"

"I use a Cirklon which is weird in it's own way but is just rock solid timing wise."

#17

Roland

4.1

(7)

"The sequencer on it really clicks with me, and it has huge sound and effect capabilities of its own too."

"Roland MC-707. 8 tracks of Ableton style clip launching."

"Roland MC-101 or big brother MC-707."

"Roland Zenbeats."

"I use an MC101 for this."

"For more portability and lower price the MC-101 has similar capabilities with fewer tracks."

"I found a good compromise with Roland Zenbeats as a sequencer running on a capable tablet."

#18

Metasonix

4.7

(6)

"Cirklon out of all the hardware sequencers I’ve tried over the years."

"Honestly a Eurorack system built by you for your specific needs! Other than that Cirklon is really popular with top producers"

"Seems to be a strong consensus that the Cirklon is the top sequencer, but the squarp pyramid is a great alternative for far less money"

"2 cirklons"

"Cirklon is nice for an X0X workflow."

"If you have tons of money to spend the the Cirklon exists."

#19

Elektron Digitakt

4.2

(6)

"Digitakt, full stop. It could control this entire room and also you would have a new sample drum machine to add to the mix."

"AN OG Digitakt has 8 MIDI tracks and a pretty capable sequencer."

"Digitakt 1. You can find them around 350/400 euro."

"Right now you can get great deals on used Digitakt 1 (8 MIDI Tracks) or Digitone 1 (4 MIDI tracks)."

"I'm tempted to get a second hand digitakt 1 mainly for the midi sequencer."

"The Elektron sequencer is very flexible and I purchased the Digitakt 1 primarily to sequence my other hardware."

#20

Behringer

4.2

(5)

"I absolutely love my old behringer bcr 2000 with the zaquencer software installed."

"My fave is the bcr 2000 with zaquencer loaded up."

"That new behringer rs-9 is a lot of fun, offers much of what the beatstep pro does for a fraction of the price, though it's modular."

"Similar size to the Erica Synths Drum Sequencer is the Behringer RS-9. This will be the closest to replicating the feature set of Erica’s Sequencer for a fraction of the price."

"The Behringer Cat! That should also help you gage my budget haha."

#21

Dirtywave

4.8

(4)

"Dirtywave m8 and a midi hub."

"The Dirtywave M8 is above and beyond any sequencer I've ever used."

"The dirtywave m8 is amazing for sequencing hardware."

"The only device I have that does the harmony scaling smooth is Dirtywave M8."

#22

Keystep

4.3

(4)

"Keystep Pro."

"I’ve watched reviews for all the sequencers mentioned and narrowed it down to three: Keystep Pro, Launchpad MK3, and Korg SQ-64."

"2x keystep pro, because it's awesome."

"I got Sample2, Bass, Keys and FM2 and I am using the Keystep Pro."

#23

Nerdseq

4.3

(4)

"Very flexible, deep and expandable."

"Nerdseq - Once you master its Tracker workflow, you can quickly bang out tracks or whole live sets."

"If you’re looking for something in-case that is very compositional, I’d be looking at the nerdseq."

"NerdSeq"

#24

Eloquencer

4.0

(4)

"I like the eloquencer."

"The Eloquencer is very well regarded."

"On paper the Eloquencer fits the bill for what you are looking for."

"Eloquencer."

#25

Koala

4.0

3.0

(1)

"Riffer by Audio Modern could be another option although I find it tedious."

Discover your audience

GummySearch is an audience research toolkit for 130,000 unique communities on Reddit.

If you are looking for startup problems to solve, want to validate your idea or find your customers online, GummySearch is for you.

Tell me more

Get started