Help me find the software sequencer of my dreams.
May 24, 2011 8:39 PM Subscribe
What sequencer+daw on the Mac handles clips/phrases in a song as links back to a master instance of the clip, rather than as individual copies?
I am used to hardware-based sequencers like the Yamaha QY700 or the one built into the Korg M1. These allowed me to compose phrases and copy those into song tracks. If I changed a note or parameter in the phrase, it changed everywhere the phrase was used in the song; I didn't need to update every instance of the note in the track.
I'm trying to move to a software sequencer, and so far have tried Ableton Live and Garage Band. But these really treat clips as copies, so any change in one clip has no effect on its copies. As far as I can tell, that means everytime I change a note in a clip, I need to re-copy that clip all across the song to make it consistent. In other words, I need pointers or symbolic links from the arrangement to the clip, not literal copies.
- I like Ableton in all other respects, so is there a way I can get it to do this? Am I missing something obvious?
- If not, is there another sequencer (for the Mac) that will do this?
- Lastly, is there a specific technical term for what I'm asking for? My Google-fu has failed me.
Thanks for the help, I'm not sure how much longer the QY700 will hold out!
I am used to hardware-based sequencers like the Yamaha QY700 or the one built into the Korg M1. These allowed me to compose phrases and copy those into song tracks. If I changed a note or parameter in the phrase, it changed everywhere the phrase was used in the song; I didn't need to update every instance of the note in the track.
I'm trying to move to a software sequencer, and so far have tried Ableton Live and Garage Band. But these really treat clips as copies, so any change in one clip has no effect on its copies. As far as I can tell, that means everytime I change a note in a clip, I need to re-copy that clip all across the song to make it consistent. In other words, I need pointers or symbolic links from the arrangement to the clip, not literal copies.
- I like Ableton in all other respects, so is there a way I can get it to do this? Am I missing something obvious?
- If not, is there another sequencer (for the Mac) that will do this?
- Lastly, is there a specific technical term for what I'm asking for? My Google-fu has failed me.
Thanks for the help, I'm not sure how much longer the QY700 will hold out!
Have you tried asking at the Ableton forums? I could've sworn there was a way to do this, but I haven't used it properly in about three years now, so I could be mistaken.
posted by Magnakai at 4:31 AM on May 25, 2011
posted by Magnakai at 4:31 AM on May 25, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks everyone. Other posts in Ableton forums confirm a no-go on this feature, at least for now. Until then, Logic looks like my best bet, although Cubase and Performer have this feature, too. Happy sequencing, folks!
posted by txsebastien at 5:10 PM on May 25, 2011
posted by txsebastien at 5:10 PM on May 25, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Horizontally a Champion at 11:49 PM on May 24, 2011