if you are interested in buying one you should use my affiliate links, you support the channel regardless of what you buy (most, not that surprisingly, buy cables!) EU: thmn.to/thoprod/583998?offid=1&affid=623 US: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkD4Ak US: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/S0BERUlFSUBFR0VHSEdATEpITA?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2Fyamaha-seqtrak.html UK: tidd.ly/3SnBitw
Where can I download the Yamaha original demo projects ? I 've delete the original demo project in Seqtrack I ve try to re-install the app, but nothing. thank
@@unduloid Well, not from me, but yes, there are a couple more good ones now. I think the first to appear were all about how this was the OP-1 crusher and that's just so completely untrue that the reviewers rushed off in the wrong direction. First tell me what it does and how difficult it is to use: don't play me one bad beat and expect me to be impressed!
Thanks for your great review! One big advantage of hooking up a midi keyboard is the ability of playing velocity sensitive notes. The keys on the SEQTRAK are not (yet) velocity sensitive. I will use the SEQTRAK with an additional midi keyboard as a potent rompler to accompany my SP 404. In my opinion the AWM2 synth engine works great with own samples and gives you plenty of opportunities to individualize the SEQTRAK with your own sounds and samples.
Can you do a short on how you actually sequence external gear on the SeqTrak? Really like how you hooked up and showed the combination of external gear + keyboard, but would love to see more in-depth on how it's actually done.
Hi Bo, Thanks for this infomative look at the Seqtrak, When I first saw it I thought I@m in, this is good but I'm not sure now, I'd like to see what the first Firmware brings to it, kinda of waiting for Version 2 of it. Keep your videos coming! Love your new "home" studio
thanks so much. I've got one pre-ordered here in the US and everything I see online is getting me really excited for it. I've never had this type of instrument so I suspect it'll take a lot to get it figured out, but it seems very capable!
Oh ! This is the first groovebox acting as USB host, it makes it massively more autonomous on the go (with a keystep) ! Great ! Wish my MC-101 would do that. I am very concerned about the build quality though...
Another great, in-depth video from one of the nicest fellas on TH-cam 👍🏻. I think Yamaha has ticked a lot of boxes with this device. Inspiration has, almost certainly, come from the OP-Z, which isn't a bad thing at all, but they have created something that is very feature rich and at a great price too. This could be a bit hit.
Unfortunately they didn't include the op-z's massively unique sequencer. That was the reason you bought that thing if you did. It was the elektron sequencer taken 10 times further. Yamaha seems to be going for more basic Roland TR sequencer with a few unique tricks.
Excellent video Bo. Good suggestions for future updates too. It’s a frustrating device that offers so much but has these bizarre limitations. Will be interesting to see if it develops in ways like Teenage Engineering have done with their similar OP synths or will be ignored. Time will tell
thanks buddy! I think its best compared against mc101 and Circuit. Both around the same price as the Seqtrak, and clearly aimed to be kind of easy to use, basic, grooveboxes. Tracks got a few more parameters to tweak, but nowhere near the fx/eq etc of the Seqtrak. The mc101 has a deeper sound engine, but lacks sampling. With some updates the Seqtrak could definitely become my go to recommendation along Tracks for a easy to use groovebox
Well, choices are made to ship a product, and draw the line on what constitutes a shipping product, or not. Look at the Roland SP-404 MKII. The second version of the firmware added a lot of issues the first version had.
Great tut! Got mine couple of days ago. Very inspiring and so much fun. Great that there’s no screen. But if you need it it’s there on your phone. Really great Yamaha sounds. My only gripe with it is the not so premium feel and that the track buttons are a little glitchy.
I have bought one, I think it is a fun device to play. I used to have an OP-Z but it is broken. This I like even more than the OP-Z because the key combinations are simpler and the great song / scene mode.
@@BoBeats I like it better. Because of the song / scene mode, which is on the OP-Z just pattern chaining, and patterns are not per track on the OP-Z. Sonically, both devices are interesting, the Yamaha has a huge collection of sounds and the FM synth, the OP-Z has nice macro parameters on its synths and stuff like a karplus strong string sound. The sequencer of the OP-Z has some fun tricks like a transpose track and step components, but since each track is only 16 steps this is compensated by the Yamaha because that can do 8 bars on a track. Overall I like the Yamaha more, and the biggest reason is the song / scene mode.
Make total sense to me. VS the OP1 i found the yamaha far easier to actually make a track on, even if the OP1 has more to offer in terms of sound design (and a 4-5x price tag?!) @@jantuitman
@@BoBeats one more thing I like to mention, in the hope you’ll mention it to Yamaha: I saw you hook up a midi keyboard immediately. So far I tried using it just with its own keys, and the seven key set up works decently except for the very very very clumsily placed single octave switch key on the back. I really think the BPM+ and BPM- keys should double as octave switchers once you are in melodic step sequence mode, and also when you have the single octave piano keyboard activated. I really hope Yamaha can add that in a firmware update. Because it would make melodic playing and step sequencing so much better if there were decent octave switchers.
Really great video Bo, as expected. Some nice tunes in there too. This has helped me form a clear picture of seqtrak and what it is for. It's not for me but I am intrigued to see if there will be more new style things like this from Yamaha, as they seem to have had their focus elsewhere for some years now. Keep up the great work.
Very interesting. Looks like quite a powerful little box. Probably goes in my wish list 😊. Would love to see how it stacks up against my beloved mc 101 and how well it works with a daw. Oh and probably how it compares to the OC-Z. In the meantime I’ve gone and ordered a Behringer JT 4000 to very affordaby scratch that new gear itch 😊
Bought one, too :D Nice little box. Even as a sound module the price is justified in my opinion. The drum computer, 2 AWM2 Motif style engines and a DX engine plus simple sampler for 399... What's your first impression?
I quite like it. Like I say in the video: it can be improved in many areas, but compared to other small grooveboxes it definitely keeps up, and feels fun and fresh!
I had one for bit but sent it back. Couldn't get past the flimsy build quality. I guess some might consider it a cheap device, but £350 is a lot to me and I want my purchases to last. I understand everything is bult to a price, but this actually feels like a cheap toy, especially the keys. For example, I also have a Microfreak, which also cuts a few corners to hit a price, but it still feels rock solid and I don't worry the buttons are going to fall off. Also I am very old and my eyes aren't what they were and it's really hard to read the tiny text on the buttons and illuminated list, just made it awkward to use. It's easy enough to get a basic beat going, but I thought the workflow was fiddly to do something more complicated without using the app. In fact the app is almost too powerful, in that it allows total control of the device. If the app also generated the sounds (and it probably could), you wouldn't need the box at all - made me feel like I might as well just be using a phone app and save £300. I thought it might be a bit of an upgrade over the Circuit Tracks, and I guess in some ways it is, but I still think that's a better groovebox overall - cheaper, better made, and far easier and immediate to use, even if it is slightly more limited. I'm not saying Seqtrak is terrible or anything, it has a lot of features for the price and makes some decent sounds, if you like it and it clicks for you , then great. It just didn't do it for me.
I’d like to see the possibility to make a chain in song mode. It would be easy to play a live set without stopping the machine. Great video !I watched carefully as I got my Seqtrak and I’m very happy.
It's a lovely little box. I really like the sliding parts for FX control but I feel the work flow is very much not to my liking (Also the not-lighten font contrast on the orange part is abominable). I had OP-Z for a while and I was blown away with what it can do and the easy of use however the form factor was not for me. This fixes some of it issues but brings whole bunch of another ones. Still, lovely little box. Thanks Bo.
Yeah I returned mine due to the keys feeling a little too wobbly for my liking, and build quality in general I wasn’t too happy with. Felt like they would break at any moment. Really keen to see a v2 improvement over this little thing though as I enjoyed my short time with it.
its always tricky to know how things actually will hold up over a longer time. In general Yamaha, Korg & Roland stuff hold up really well, even tho it can feel a bit weak. Im thinking of stuff like Boutiques and Volcas. They dont seem to break, but they also dont feel great. But I agree that theres a wobblyness to the keys. @@IonStream
I can confirm the plastic on this thing is robust it may look thin and cheap but it’s pretty strong. I’ve done a small scratch tests on the corners at the bottom with my nail was just a couple to see if any mark was left behind and it’s barely touched it. I have OCD so I can confirm everything is good I’ve taken a knob off and they’re proper nutted on with big hexagon nuts obviously i’ll put it back on again aha. The keys will last the feel may not if pressed against the sides too much as they’re supposed to be pressed in the middle and that scraping feel will get worse as the mechanics will scratch up, making it squeaky to the press a year down the line. So pressing the keys with care will make it last years for sure. Hope this helps. 😉👍
Can you use a midi keyboard with pads to control a drum kit? Then live record a drum beat? I can't really tell if that's possible. So far it looks like you can only program one drum sound at a time.
Really great demo of the Seqtrak. I love the Songs you created on that. The device does so much right and could be so great if the material appearance and the quality of the keyboard were better. With my device, the response of the drum and sample buttons was very different. And I don't mean these stupid "I press the edge of the keys" videos here on TH-cam. I could still live with that, but together with the felt cheap build quality, I decided to send my device back.
Thanks for watching the vid! The response on my keys feel pretty good, but I've only had it for a few weeks so I'll hold off on any judgement before I see how they hold up over time.
Cuckoo actually did acknowledge it! He wasn’t excited, and I think he had some valid criticism. Compared to TE stuff it is quite vanilla. And some want pecan!
Cuckoo helped design the competition, so I can see why he's not gung ho about the Seqtrak. Looking at prices, you can compare this to OP-Z, but not against either model of OP-1. You can compare anything you want, but people will be disappointed
Really great demo songs. I regret a bit of having already sent mine back. But the keys and the general somewhat cheap material appearance have already deterred me a bit. I can say that I think it's very exaggerated about the keygate. Nevertheless, I had keys in the synth area that did not address as well as the keys in the drum area. Not dramatic, but shows the general low build quality. Even as a beginner, you can get into the workflow really quickly. I missed a display for BPM and quick selection of sounds. Here, however, the app works very well and runs very stable. Yamaha could have omitted the speaker, e.g. the speaker in the iPhone is a lot better. I'm in the next generation with hopefully better material quality.
Re: External MIDI keyboard control. Apparently there is a problem (mid-May 2024) in that each drum is on it’s own separate MIDI channel. I really don’t get Yamaha’s logic on this one. Except maybe for some dubious internal routing choices. They were MIDI pioneers and now they do this! I have an advanced MIDI (DIN cable based) patch bay/processor, the MIDITEMP MT16X, that can split/distribute the input signal to the channels of your choice. I’m sure there are newer (and cheaper) alternatives. Working in the garden, it struck me: Why not make a MIDI-channel-splitter-rerouter-for-the Yamaha-Seqtrack. Small box, no power needed, like the Anatek Pocket Pedals. I would buy one😎 Any takers? I also have a slight problem reading the grey text on the black buttons, (I like Black) when they're not lit up. Just thought this was good to know, before pulling the trigger on this one, Otherwise I'm, so far, very happy with my unit.
I was really looking forward to a video from you on the seqtrak and you did not disappoint! I'm looking at getting my first groovebox, graduating from a couple volcas, and I was curious if you would suggest this over a Circuit Tracks? Love the content!
Thank you very much for this very comprehensive tutorial, which has enabled me to discover even more of the possibilities offered by this wonderful Seqtrak. What's more, your projects are great music. 👌👏
Best video on this thing I've seen yet. On paper this little groovebox seems right up my alley but i don't know, the synths aren't really doing it for me and it's kind of a bummer that I need an editor to get to the deeper sound design parameters. Resampling is a big thing though the examples you provided with affecting the Hydrasynth sounded great. Still on the fence though.
Got one on order. I chose the orange creamcsicle version for my own amusement. :) I'm hoping a case is coming soon as I'll need it. Hope I get some more use out of it than my OP-Z as I haven't touched it in a good while. Mine has the slight bend and it rather worries me.
How did you connect it to the midi keyboard? Also, ive try to sync it with a roland mc303 but aparentlynis not possible? Ive change the internal clock to external but still not working. Any idea? Thanks!
A hundred more for an OLED screen for seeing the waveforms of the samples to be able to trim them, and it would have been ideal, and a TE Field killer.
i would still rather go with circuit tracks for a easy to use groovebox over this main reason build quality, it has the same horror stories and the KO 2
No export prolly gonna be fixed. In my Electribe 2 when i bought it it was only Ableton session export and Korg added .WAV export in firmware update. 35:16... very dirty signal processing similar to my old Electribe 2. And in fact there's a lot similarities with Electribe in sound. But hey at least it's more portable and smaller and basically cheaper. Still going to buy one. Spending too much time on the go, this one will come in handy.
nice vid, want to be the option to edit on the app using type of piano roll or drum programming, samples editing/chopping etc, hope yamaha start to make this little piece of gear something huge
Can someone help to understand if the seqtrak midi input is a Midi Type A or Midi Type B? Because I've tried both, neither work. It only works with the included midi adaptor that comes with the seqtrak.
It looks like the orange part is detachable from the white part. That might have been some nice functionality to let people mix and match their preference of color schemes.
My op-z keyboard is so broken. About half the keys double trigger on every press. The repair quote from TE's us partner is $50 less than biying a brand new one and the parts are not available from ifixit for me to repair myself. All this and the price of thr seqtrak make it very appealing to me rite now.
This is soooo close to the box I’m looking to pair with my ModDwarf: but I was bummed to find out you can’t play the sample track across a midi keyboard… is there a little groove box module like this that can interpolate a sample across a keyboard?
Putting buttons along the sides of the device is an odd choice. At 4:23 you can clearly see the need to use two hands to steady the device. It also limits how you can layout other gear. I already have enough trouble making sure that jacks are accessible - now I need space around all 4 sides for buttons as well?
Where can I download the Yamaha original demo projects ? I 've delete the original demo project in Seqtrack I ve try to re-install the app, but nothing.
How does this compared to other gear coming out, and are out there already. I think its so simple as a sampler and the lack of a sd card..realy? Is it that hard to create a slot? Looks nice..but i dont know...bought me a KO II..not trying to be a hater.... i ❤ gear
I hate the buttons on that thing wish they were just a lil less clacky so loud it bothers me and the speaker is really nice but the sounds it makes are just blah reminds me of like an 80s type thing I couldn’t get it to sound hard or aggressive at all it was like an 80s cheese machine
The sound does seem to have a certain flavour. I've listened to quite a few reviews/demos and while it sounds good, it also sounds like there's a permanent high pass in effect. No low bass it seems.
Yeah! It grew on me! I think it could be even better with a few tweaks but honestly, its pretty fun. Easy to make music with. Even if it lacks a bit in the sound design department and sampling.
@@BoBeats Thanks, Bo! You look like you’re having fun with it. There’s a lot packed in for such a small device. Your updates are all great ideas. Especially the last. Here’s hoping exporting stems is feasible.🤞
Hello:) It is possible to copy synth pattern from bar 1 into bar 4? Or copy kick from page 1 into page 2 for example. I didnt find a way how to do it. Thanks:)
When you send midi out to external gear do you have to sacrifice one track? Let's say I want to send polyphonic midi to minilouge xd? Do I have to pick for example internal synth 1 and use that track to send midi out on this specific channel to the synth and mute this so the synth one is not played?
Hi, the new mpc key 37 is out and here is a thought. When it comes to the key modells there is virtually no beginner tutorials out there and i different groups new users are screaming for information and tutorials. I know you use the akai products ao wouldnt this be a perfect series for you to make tutorials on? I really love your way of teaching us stuff and think this would be great for your followers and all new to the mpc key.
Thank you Robert for the idea! I am making a video about the MPC One soon (i bought one several years ago, but never got into it). And in that video I hope the 37 can make an appearance too! So its not impossible that I can make a tutorial.
The one thing I haven’t seen anyone really talk about in their videos is Editing AWM2 patches. I know on MODX and Montage you can load a custom Sample and use it as one of the “Elements” ,as Yamaha calls them, of AWM2 Patches/Presets. My Seqtrak arrives soon but I cant find out if I can load Custom Samples as Elements in the SeqTrak App to make my own AWM2 patches. Do you know if its possible? Yamaha calls their Samples for AWM2 engine “Elements” much like Roland calls them “Partials” if Im unable to make AWM2 Patches Im going to be disappointed. Thanks man, the waiting for mine to arrive is driving me NUTS. Im more interested in it as a Sound Engine than Groovebox much the way I use my Roland MC-101 and JD-Xi
The app is not super great on a phone, does not respond very well when trying to press some of the tiny buttons. Wish they will make the ui better suited for smaller screens.
Hi, I had a question. Bo i own a Montage 7. can i connect the SEQTRAK using both midi in and out to the montage and use the sampler on Seqtrak to capture a sound and then play with the sampled sound on the montage 7 like using filters envelope etc. rather than going to the Daw upload a sample sound and then tweek with it on montage is it possible with the seqtrak ?
hello! I love your content! what is the instrument you are using together with the MIDI keyboard starting at 9:40? The one with the orange stripe on the bottom. It doesn't seem to be added to your list of gears. Thank you!
Well this sounds nice. Better than the similar looking hipster look alike. But is the design really necessary. Everything looks the same. Its like only colors and knobs. But i like the sound.
Love the content, as always! Did you happen to find a means to offset drums in the sequence? For instance, changing the quantization of a drum (earlier snares, or offset hats) without using the swing function?
if you are interested in buying one you should use my affiliate links, you support the channel regardless of what you buy (most, not that surprisingly, buy cables!)
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Thanks. I appreciate your view. I like this Yamaha.
Where can I download the Yamaha original demo projects ?
I 've delete the original demo project in Seqtrack
I ve try to re-install the app, but nothing. thank
I seriously feel that I learnt more in the first five minutes of this video than I did in the six other videos I watched about Seqtrak put together.
It's weird how I see these types of comments under almost every other review of the Seqtrak as well.
@@unduloid Well, not from me, but yes, there are a couple more good ones now. I think the first to appear were all about how this was the OP-1 crusher and that's just so completely untrue that the reviewers rushed off in the wrong direction. First tell me what it does and how difficult it is to use: don't play me one bad beat and expect me to be impressed!
Thanks for your great review! One big advantage of hooking up a midi keyboard is the ability of playing velocity sensitive notes. The keys on the SEQTRAK are not (yet) velocity sensitive. I will use the SEQTRAK with an additional midi keyboard as a potent rompler to accompany my SP 404. In my opinion the AWM2 synth engine works great with own samples and gives you plenty of opportunities to individualize the SEQTRAK with your own sounds and samples.
It's a nice little groovebox and Price is pretty right.
Can you do a short on how you actually sequence external gear on the SeqTrak? Really like how you hooked up and showed the combination of external gear + keyboard, but would love to see more in-depth on how it's actually done.
Did you get answere this one?
Nice demos
Thanks buddy! I think you could have fun with one!
Very comprehensive video! Thank You for showing MIDI connections.
Hi Bo, Thanks for this infomative look at the Seqtrak, When I first saw it I thought I@m in, this is good but I'm not sure now, I'd like to see what the first Firmware brings to it, kinda of waiting for Version 2 of it. Keep your videos coming! Love your new "home" studio
Not only was the explanation great but the beats are top notch as well. Good job
thanks so much. I've got one pre-ordered here in the US and everything I see online is getting me really excited for it. I've never had this type of instrument so I suspect it'll take a lot to get it figured out, but it seems very capable!
Great little machine. Been loving mine since day 1 ❤ Great video as usual ❤
Another great video ! 🙂 This is by far, the best video I have seen on the SEQTRAK. I cannot wait to get it, I have ordered one.
Hope you have use for the vid while exploring it!
Oh ! This is the first groovebox acting as USB host, it makes it massively more autonomous on the go (with a keystep) ! Great ! Wish my MC-101 would do that. I am very concerned about the build quality though...
Another great, in-depth video from one of the nicest fellas on TH-cam 👍🏻. I think Yamaha has ticked a lot of boxes with this device. Inspiration has, almost certainly, come from the OP-Z, which isn't a bad thing at all, but they have created something that is very feature rich and at a great price too. This could be a bit hit.
Unfortunately they didn't include the op-z's massively unique sequencer. That was the reason you bought that thing if you did. It was the elektron sequencer taken 10 times further. Yamaha seems to be going for more basic Roland TR sequencer with a few unique tricks.
Seems like a lot of very basic features, crammed into a little brick.
Even worse, if you’re a keys player.
Excellent video Bo. Good suggestions for future updates too. It’s a frustrating device that offers so much but has these bizarre limitations. Will be interesting to see if it develops in ways like Teenage Engineering have done with their similar OP synths or will be ignored. Time will tell
thanks buddy! I think its best compared against mc101 and Circuit. Both around the same price as the Seqtrak, and clearly aimed to be kind of easy to use, basic, grooveboxes. Tracks got a few more parameters to tweak, but nowhere near the fx/eq etc of the Seqtrak. The mc101 has a deeper sound engine, but lacks sampling. With some updates the Seqtrak could definitely become my go to recommendation along Tracks for a easy to use groovebox
Well, choices are made to ship a product, and draw the line on what constitutes a shipping product, or not. Look at the Roland SP-404 MKII. The second version of the firmware added a lot of issues the first version had.
It's the perfect time for a cup of coffee, actually. :D
Go grab it, mine is brewing
Is it just me or lately Bo's beats / grooves keep getting better and better?
Great tut! Got mine couple of days ago. Very inspiring and so much fun. Great that there’s no screen. But if you need it it’s there on your phone. Really great Yamaha sounds. My only gripe with it is the not so premium feel and that the track buttons are a little glitchy.
Agreed on the build!
Awesome video Bo!! I wasn’t feeling the Seqtrak at first but this changed my mind and my GAS has been tickled lol.
Btw, GREAT music you made here!! 👏🏼
Thank you buddy! ♥️
Bo is one of the best explainers on youtube. Thank you for this guide.
Hope it will turn like a success for you and Yamaha like your first video on the circuit ❤
Thanks buddy!
You definitely made me glad I ordered one..
I didn't even get five minutes in before i ordered one for myself. That's all I needed to hear hehe
I have bought one, I think it is a fun device to play. I used to have an OP-Z but it is broken. This I like even more than the OP-Z because the key combinations are simpler and the great song / scene mode.
How do you feel it compares to the Op-Z?
@@BoBeats I like it better. Because of the song / scene mode, which is on the OP-Z just pattern chaining, and patterns are not per track on the OP-Z. Sonically, both devices are interesting, the Yamaha has a huge collection of sounds and the FM synth, the OP-Z has nice macro parameters on its synths and stuff like a karplus strong string sound. The sequencer of the OP-Z has some fun tricks like a transpose track and step components, but since each track is only 16 steps this is compensated by the Yamaha because that can do 8 bars on a track. Overall I like the Yamaha more, and the biggest reason is the song / scene mode.
Make total sense to me. VS the OP1 i found the yamaha far easier to actually make a track on, even if the OP1 has more to offer in terms of sound design (and a 4-5x price tag?!) @@jantuitman
@@BoBeats one more thing I like to mention, in the hope you’ll mention it to Yamaha: I saw you hook up a midi keyboard immediately. So far I tried using it just with its own keys, and the seven key set up works decently except for the very very very clumsily placed single octave switch key on the back. I really think the BPM+ and BPM- keys should double as octave switchers once you are in melodic step sequence mode, and also when you have the single octave piano keyboard activated. I really hope Yamaha can add that in a firmware update. Because it would make melodic playing and step sequencing so much better if there were decent octave switchers.
Really great video Bo, as expected. Some nice tunes in there too. This has helped me form a clear picture of seqtrak and what it is for. It's not for me but I am intrigued to see if there will be more new style things like this from Yamaha, as they seem to have had their focus elsewhere for some years now. Keep up the great work.
Thanks buddy!!
Great info. I have one in black. Nice! Yamaha should be paying you for this
They probably do
I think they are.
How do you like yours?
Really well done, useful video on the Seqtrack! Thanks
Very interesting. Looks like quite a powerful little box. Probably goes in my wish list 😊. Would love to see how it stacks up against my beloved mc 101 and how well it works with a daw. Oh and probably how it compares to the OC-Z.
In the meantime I’ve gone and ordered a Behringer JT 4000 to very affordaby scratch that new gear itch 😊
What a great guide. Thank you!
Man this is such an awesome looking Minecraft cigarette!
Oh now i get the cigarette meme 😅 i feel old
@@BoBeats welll I got kids so they keep me in the loop. Great video by the way!
Bought one, too :D Nice little box. Even as a sound module the price is justified in my opinion. The drum computer, 2 AWM2 Motif style engines and a DX engine plus simple sampler for 399... What's your first impression?
I quite like it. Like I say in the video: it can be improved in many areas, but compared to other small grooveboxes it definitely keeps up, and feels fun and fresh!
I had one for bit but sent it back. Couldn't get past the flimsy build quality. I guess some might consider it a cheap device, but £350 is a lot to me and I want my purchases to last. I understand everything is bult to a price, but this actually feels like a cheap toy, especially the keys. For example, I also have a Microfreak, which also cuts a few corners to hit a price, but it still feels rock solid and I don't worry the buttons are going to fall off.
Also I am very old and my eyes aren't what they were and it's really hard to read the tiny text on the buttons and illuminated list, just made it awkward to use. It's easy enough to get a basic beat going, but I thought the workflow was fiddly to do something more complicated without using the app. In fact the app is almost too powerful, in that it allows total control of the device. If the app also generated the sounds (and it probably could), you wouldn't need the box at all - made me feel like I might as well just be using a phone app and save £300.
I thought it might be a bit of an upgrade over the Circuit Tracks, and I guess in some ways it is, but I still think that's a better groovebox overall - cheaper, better made, and far easier and immediate to use, even if it is slightly more limited.
I'm not saying Seqtrak is terrible or anything, it has a lot of features for the price and makes some decent sounds, if you like it and it clicks for you , then great. It just didn't do it for me.
@@BoBeatsgreat video! Is that Novation Circuit also in the video?
no but i have plenty of vids on the Circuit Tracks and og Circuit. Just youtube search bobeats circuit@@WyattLite-n-inn
@@BoBeats What is that other unit you have in the begining of the video there along with the Arturia Keystep 37? Withe the filter settings on it?
Very good presentation ! Thanks
I’d like to see the possibility to make a chain in song mode. It would be easy to play a live set without stopping the machine. Great video !I watched carefully as I got my Seqtrak and I’m very happy.
Love that they implented the mechanical keyboard sounds, so you can sample them for lofi beats.
Nice matching color with the watchband
It's a lovely little box. I really like the sliding parts for FX control but I feel the work flow is very much not to my liking (Also the not-lighten font contrast on the orange part is abominable). I had OP-Z for a while and I was blown away with what it can do and the easy of use however the form factor was not for me. This fixes some of it issues but brings whole bunch of another ones. Still, lovely little box. Thanks Bo.
I felt the keys were too wobbly. And don't feel like they will last a long time. From a workflow perspective it's a nice package
Yeah I am curious about how the build will hold up over time.
Yeah I returned mine due to the keys feeling a little too wobbly for my liking, and build quality in general I wasn’t too happy with. Felt like they would break at any moment. Really keen to see a v2 improvement over this little thing though as I enjoyed my short time with it.
its always tricky to know how things actually will hold up over a longer time. In general Yamaha, Korg & Roland stuff hold up really well, even tho it can feel a bit weak. Im thinking of stuff like Boutiques and Volcas. They dont seem to break, but they also dont feel great. But I agree that theres a wobblyness to the keys. @@IonStream
I can confirm the plastic on this thing is robust it may look thin and cheap but it’s pretty strong. I’ve done a small scratch tests on the corners at the bottom with my nail was just a couple to see if any mark was left behind and it’s barely touched it. I have OCD so I can confirm everything is good I’ve taken a knob off and they’re proper nutted on with big hexagon nuts obviously i’ll put it back on again aha. The keys will last the feel may not if pressed against the sides too much as they’re supposed to be pressed in the middle and that scraping feel will get worse as the mechanics will scratch up, making it squeaky to the press a year down the line. So pressing the keys with care will make it last years for sure. Hope this helps. 😉👍
you made a rerally good video here, answered a lot if 'could it do X' . well done.
Dealbreaker at 5:20 .. I’m iPad only so that means I can’t load my own samples into the Seqtrack.
Can you use a midi keyboard with pads to control a drum kit? Then live record a drum beat? I can't really tell if that's possible. So far it looks like you can only program one drum sound at a time.
I hope they update the firmware for project switching which would make it a live performer but until then its just a sketch pad for now.
Really freaking cool product from Yamaha, but i will hold my GAS and continue to enjoy my Digitakt 😊 nice one, Bo.
Really great demo of the Seqtrak. I love the Songs you created on that. The device does so much right and could be so great if the material appearance and the quality of the keyboard were better. With my device, the response of the drum and sample buttons was very different. And I don't mean these stupid "I press the edge of the keys" videos here on TH-cam. I could still live with that, but together with the felt cheap build quality, I decided to send my device back.
Thanks for watching the vid! The response on my keys feel pretty good, but I've only had it for a few weeks so I'll hold off on any judgement before I see how they hold up over time.
So Mr Yamaha we going with 8 samples yes?
Mr Yamaha:
No no no do 7,yes 7 is good, go with 7!
😆
Looks better than it's predecessor OP-1. We could call it OP-2.
Thanks for the review.
It has a nice sound and is very pretty. If i hadn't sworn off buying synth stuff I might have had a look.
Stay strong! 👍
really like the tracks you made with it!
Swedish TH-camrs are screwed reviewing this direct competitor to the Teenage Engineering toys, but at least we got a tutorial, haha
I didnt dare go up against the big evil boutique company 😆
I know, right? True Cuckoo hasn't even acknowledged the existence of this thing, so props to you @@BoBeats
Cuckoo actually did acknowledge it! He wasn’t excited, and I think he had some valid criticism. Compared to TE stuff it is quite vanilla. And some want pecan!
Cuckoo helped design the competition, so I can see why he's not gung ho about the Seqtrak. Looking at prices, you can compare this to OP-Z, but not against either model of OP-1. You can compare anything you want, but people will be disappointed
Really great demo songs. I regret a bit of having already sent mine back. But the keys and the general somewhat cheap material appearance have already deterred me a bit. I can say that I think it's very exaggerated about the keygate. Nevertheless, I had keys in the synth area that did not address as well as the keys in the drum area. Not dramatic, but shows the general low build quality. Even as a beginner, you can get into the workflow really quickly. I missed a display for BPM and quick selection of sounds. Here, however, the app works very well and runs very stable. Yamaha could have omitted the speaker, e.g. the speaker in the iPhone is a lot better. I'm in the next generation with hopefully better material quality.
Re: External MIDI keyboard control.
Apparently there is a problem (mid-May 2024)
in that each drum is on it’s own separate MIDI channel.
I really don’t get Yamaha’s logic on this one.
Except maybe for some dubious internal routing choices.
They were MIDI pioneers and now they do this!
I have an advanced MIDI (DIN cable based) patch bay/processor,
the MIDITEMP MT16X, that can split/distribute
the input signal to the channels of your choice.
I’m sure there are newer (and cheaper) alternatives.
Working in the garden, it struck me:
Why not make a MIDI-channel-splitter-rerouter-for-the Yamaha-Seqtrack.
Small box, no power needed, like the Anatek Pocket Pedals.
I would buy one😎
Any takers?
I also have a slight problem
reading the grey text on the black buttons,
(I like Black) when they're not lit up.
Just thought this was good to know,
before pulling the trigger on this one,
Otherwise I'm, so far, very happy with my unit.
Looking at getting this after I send back my bent/broken out of the box TE OPZ.
I was really looking forward to a video from you on the seqtrak and you did not disappoint! I'm looking at getting my first groovebox, graduating from a couple volcas, and I was curious if you would suggest this over a Circuit Tracks?
Love the content!
Thanks buddy!
Great demo :) Sounds sounds sounds :)
Super-infornative! Thanks for this!
Thank you very much for this very comprehensive tutorial, which has enabled me to discover even more of the possibilities offered by this wonderful Seqtrak. What's more, your projects are great music. 👌👏
Thank you!!
Espectacular! Thank you!
Best video on this thing I've seen yet. On paper this little groovebox seems right up my alley but i don't know, the synths aren't really doing it for me and it's kind of a bummer that I need an editor to get to the deeper sound design parameters. Resampling is a big thing though the examples you provided with affecting the Hydrasynth sounded great. Still on the fence though.
I think you will find it easy to make music on but lacking in depth. Perhaps a device less for those with alot of gear or gear experience.
P-locks from the OP-Z with its sampling and both units’ sound palette with a tablet equate to a great mobile composer’s dream. For now, at least! 😀
Got one on order. I chose the orange creamcsicle version for my own amusement. :) I'm hoping a case is coming soon as I'll need it.
Hope I get some more use out of it than my OP-Z as I haven't touched it in a good while. Mine has the slight bend and it rather worries me.
Honestly I might just get it for the repeater effect alone.
3:13 Bo visits Ancient Egypt!
Had in hand, must wait for the mk2.... Btw nice job bo !
How did you connect it to the midi keyboard? Also, ive try to sync it with a roland mc303 but aparentlynis not possible? Ive change the internal clock to external but still not working. Any idea? Thanks!
Hi, I wonder how this will work with the YAMAHA PSR SX600?
A hundred more for an OLED screen for seeing the waveforms of the samples to be able to trim them, and it would have been ideal, and a TE Field killer.
i would still rather go with circuit tracks for a easy to use groovebox over this main reason build quality, it has the same horror stories and the KO 2
Me too
No export prolly gonna be fixed. In my Electribe 2 when i bought it it was only Ableton session export and Korg added .WAV export in firmware update.
35:16... very dirty signal processing similar to my old Electribe 2. And in fact there's a lot similarities with Electribe in sound. But hey at least it's more portable and smaller and basically cheaper.
Still going to buy one. Spending too much time on the go, this one will come in handy.
nice vid, want to be the option to edit on the app using type of piano roll or drum programming, samples editing/chopping etc, hope yamaha start to make this little piece of gear something huge
On the app there is a kind of piano roll and easier drum programming
Can someone help to understand if the seqtrak midi input is a Midi Type A or Midi Type B? Because I've tried both, neither work. It only works with the included midi adaptor that comes with the seqtrak.
It looks like the orange part is detachable from the white part. That might have been some nice functionality to let people mix and match their preference of color schemes.
Desperately waiting on mine to ship from Perfect Circuit
My op-z keyboard is so broken. About half the keys double trigger on every press. The repair quote from TE's us partner is $50 less than biying a brand new one and the parts are not available from ifixit for me to repair myself. All this and the price of thr seqtrak make it very appealing to me rite now.
You mentioned new lighting, what are you using? Looks great to me!
Godox and Amaran lights. Nothing fancy
This thing sure rocks but let's hope RS7000 gen 2 is next one... 😊
I need a rm1x mk2
Ohhhh yeah c'mon Yamaha
Can I use the Seqtraq as a midi controller only for Ableton without audio coming from the device?
Cool tutorial!
This is soooo close to the box I’m looking to pair with my ModDwarf: but I was bummed to find out you can’t play the sample track across a midi keyboard… is there a little groove box module like this that can interpolate a sample across a keyboard?
Putting buttons along the sides of the device is an odd choice. At 4:23 you can clearly see the need to use two hands to steady the device. It also limits how you can layout other gear. I already have enough trouble making sure that jacks are accessible - now I need space around all 4 sides for buttons as well?
Yepp. This can absolutely be a problem
Nice review! I'm so not down with this formfactor though.
Where can I download the Yamaha original demo projects ? I 've delete the original demo project in Seqtrack
I ve try to re-install the app, but nothing.
How does this compared to other gear coming out, and are out there already. I think its so simple as a sampler and the lack of a sd card..realy? Is it that hard to create a slot? Looks nice..but i dont know...bought me a KO II..not trying to be a hater.... i ❤ gear
I hate the buttons on that thing wish they were just a lil less clacky so loud it bothers me and the speaker is really nice but the sounds it makes are just blah reminds me of like an 80s type thing I couldn’t get it to sound hard or aggressive at all it was like an 80s cheese machine
The sound does seem to have a certain flavour. I've listened to quite a few reviews/demos and while it sounds good, it also sounds like there's a permanent high pass in effect. No low bass it seems.
Something like this definitely doesn’t fit into my workflow. Looks interesting though. I have one on pre-order. Might make a fun experiment.
Using the Seqtrak as a midi sound module with an external sequencer,will it recieve/transmit on all 16 channels?
Thanks so much for your in-depth tutorial here. It’s very helpful in making my decision. I enjoyed the tracks you made. Do you like this device?
Yeah! It grew on me! I think it could be even better with a few tweaks but honestly, its pretty fun. Easy to make music with. Even if it lacks a bit in the sound design department and sampling.
@@BoBeats Thanks, Bo! You look like you’re having fun with it. There’s a lot packed in for such a small device. Your updates are all great ideas. Especially the last. Here’s hoping exporting stems is feasible.🤞
How do you get music off of the Seqtrak? I can only export project files, and only when hooked up to a computer. Not with phone or ipad😢
Hello:) It is possible to copy synth pattern from bar 1 into bar 4? Or copy kick from page 1 into page 2 for example. I didnt find a way how to do it. Thanks:)
They should make an android App and show the music industry that it is ok to step out of the ice age of just Apple only.
It has an android App.
@@PAGmusic I can't get the app on my Android phone or tablet. Have you managed it, may I ask?
Dang I’m late(:
Oh you just made it for class, take a seat 👍
When you send midi out to external gear do you have to sacrifice one track? Let's say I want to send polyphonic midi to minilouge xd? Do I have to pick for example internal synth 1 and use that track to send midi out on this specific channel to the synth and mute this so the synth one is not played?
Hi, the new mpc key 37 is out and here is a thought. When it comes to the key modells there is virtually no beginner tutorials out there and i different groups new users are screaming for information and tutorials. I know you use the akai products ao wouldnt this be a perfect series for you to make tutorials on? I really love your way of teaching us stuff and think this would be great for your followers and all new to the mpc key.
Thank you Robert for the idea! I am making a video about the MPC One soon (i bought one several years ago, but never got into it). And in that video I hope the 37 can make an appearance too! So its not impossible that I can make a tutorial.
@@BoBeats truly think you and us folllowers would benefit from a beginnners seris if the first video comes out good. :)
The one thing I haven’t seen anyone really talk about in their videos is Editing AWM2 patches. I know on MODX and Montage you can load a custom Sample and use it as one of the “Elements” ,as Yamaha calls them, of AWM2 Patches/Presets. My Seqtrak arrives soon but I cant find out if I can load Custom Samples as Elements in the SeqTrak App to make my own AWM2 patches. Do you know if its possible? Yamaha calls their Samples for AWM2 engine “Elements” much like Roland calls them “Partials” if Im unable to make AWM2 Patches Im going to be disappointed. Thanks man, the waiting for mine to arrive is driving me NUTS. Im more interested in it as a Sound Engine than Groovebox much the way I use my Roland MC-101 and JD-Xi
You can load your own samples into the awm2 tracks (synth 1 and 2) and i think they fixed so u can play back polyphonically (but no time stretch)
The app is not super great on a phone, does not respond very well when trying to press some of the tiny buttons. Wish they will make the ui better suited for smaller screens.
Bo could you please let us know if the piano sound is good like the reface cp. I would have to buy it in that case.
Hi, I had a question. Bo i own a Montage 7. can i
connect the SEQTRAK using both midi in and out to the
montage and use the sampler on Seqtrak to capture
a sound and then play with the sampled sound on
the montage 7 like using filters envelope etc.
rather than going to the Daw upload a sample sound
and then tweek with it on montage is it possible with
the seqtrak ?
hello! I love your content! what is the instrument you are using together with the MIDI keyboard starting at 9:40? The one with the orange stripe on the bottom. It doesn't seem to be added to your list of gears. Thank you!
its a drumbrute impact drum machine
Well this sounds nice. Better than the similar looking hipster look alike. But is the design really necessary. Everything looks the same. Its like only colors and knobs. But i like the sound.
Love the content, as always! Did you happen to find a means to offset drums in the sequence? For instance, changing the quantization of a drum (earlier snares, or offset hats) without using the swing function?
Yes. See drums explained section. Micro timing is available. Hold step. Turn track knob.
Also unquantized rec available
@@BoBeats I found it around 21:18, but either way, I do appreciate your prompt reply, and answering my question.
If it midi inputs with iPad daws I’m in.
How do I delete a sample?
13:25 Audio In - can we use this to add FX to vocals or other input while we play?
I do not think so. Couldnt find anything relating to this. You can monitor the input.