save my nerdseq career

[Gminorcoles]

I really loved my nerdseq when I got it. It was simple up front but with a lot of complexity hidden behind, the timing is great, a lot of i/o.

But I have been using it less and less, and after I moved my studio downstairs the nerdseq was among some gear that never got turned back on, and then I got around to it and one night was like "ok, beat creation powers.. go!" but the tools that got me results in order of decreasing ease were

playing in rhythms to be recorded in my mc 909
editing rhythms in the piano roll of FL Studio and then playing them through ES-3 ADAT into Squarp Rample or mc 909
...
typing things into Nerdseq

I am sure the problem is me, but I notice the same patterns slowing me down on the nerdseq.

Interface is small for my fingers to type compared to computer keyboard. key sequences (for me ) are not ergonomic, has to be done crouched over the modular rack.
screen real estate - very small.
beats per measure vs screen real estate - if I want my time division to be equal to 32nd notes, this means I can never see the entire sequence on one screen.
beats per measure vs pattern length - on my mc 909 I can create, lets say a 32 bar pattern. this gives a lot of room to create a partially repeating or non repeating pattern and with any kind of notes - 64th, triplets, whatever I can play. not a "fair" comparison, but it is my gear close at hand.
triggering the nerdseq from external, using nerdseq as a "pattern instrument" - this as far as I know, doesnt really fit the nerdseq, but it feels like it should be a core usecase.

I still really love the idea of the nerdseq, but I have to be ruthless with myself and not hoard gear. I have a fixed cube of space in which I have declared my setup must fit, and if I am not get use out of something, even if it is my fault as a bad musician with weak mental powers, I should sell it.

these are not complaints rather my feedback on how my limitations intersect with nerdseq featureset.

and posed as a question, I would ask "any advice on how to improve my understanding of nerdseq to save my use of this tool"

thanks

[akavalve]

It may be that NerdSeq doesn't suit your workflow but you're not going to know unless you fix your ergonomics, either by changing the position of your rack or pulling the NS out into a pod. There is a lot to explore there and exploration is a chore instead of being fun when you are uncomfortable.

[Gminorcoles]

it just sold after I posted that. there are a lot of nerdseqs now on reverb, there used to be none. I am going to keep trying different hardware / hybrid setups. I gave the NS a good several months but I failed to get the value from it. hopefully my feedback is helpful

[ural]

it just sold after I posted that. there are a lot of nerdseqs now on reverb, there used to be none. I am going to keep trying different hardware / hybrid setups. I gave the NS a good several months but I failed to get the value from it. hopefully my feedback is helpful

i'd love to see Nerdseq will develop as powerful tracker/sampler combo (with dedicated expanders etc). something like Renoise for modular environment. or if it is not possible because of some reason - then perhaps better stay simple and robust.

[XORadmin]

I got to say, being the developer of the NerdSEQ that you are comparing Apples with at least Pears.
First, surely you can never compare something In-Rack with lets say fruity loops, Live or whatever DAW. These are running on gigahertz computers with gigabyte of memory, big (multiple) HD screens, mouse, keyboard and loads of virtual stuff.
Then the concepts lets say compared with the MC909 are also totally different. Not to mention the ways of inserting sequences.
Key ergonomics is surely a thing with eurorack in general. It starts to work out fine once it is horizontally in front of you.
And of course, more keys and a bigger screen are for sure things to mention, but not realistic in a world where people fight for every HP. You probably saw that I am also working on breakouts for that to improve this in a way.
Some things about patterns. Can you see a 32/64 step sequence completely on the MC909 on one screen with all it's relations (notes, gates/triggers etc..). I think that is only something for computers.

You can have all kind of note lengths / patterns and simply combine them to be 64 bars with notes that play as long or short as you want with the NerdSEQ. The sequencer screen allows you to nicely combine them and you still keep a good view on them.

I totally agree that it is not the workflow for everyone. But so is the same thing between different DAWs of a computer or even grooveboxes from different manufacturers. You either dig it (and take your time to understand and work with it) or not. They are many options.
If you want to stay in rack with your sequencing, then these are the things you got to deal with. Rackspace, ergonimics, functionality etc... but happily they are many options out there to cover everyones workflow.

Not sure what you mean about them being on reverb now. I can see only listings from shops/distributors and one 2nd hand.

[mgd]

I wish to add my 2 cents as well

For one I agree with Thomas:
Comparing a full blown DAW on a current PC with *anything* in a modular rack feature, capability or useability wise clearly seems unfair and IMO is completely missing the point of having a powerful sequencer in your rack. After all you possibly could replace most of your rack with VCV but you probably wouldn't want that and you know why.

That having said:
For me the NerdSEQ is as close to a DAW as you possibly can get with gear inside your rack.

Before purchasing it earlier this year I had investigated getting an ExpertSleepers ES-9 and then control my rack from my PC. In the end I decided against it and so far I'm quite satisfied with my decision. If anybody is interested I'm happy to give more details as to my decision process - just mail me.

And yes, there still is stuff that I do on the PC. And then I'm really a fan of my newly purchased bela-pepper that enables me to shift a whole bunch of stuff from my PC into my rack, kind of

FWIW having played around with the NerdSEQ had a profound influence on my list of "modules-I-need-to-purchase" as the NerdSEQ effectively obsoleted a whole bunch of modules on my purchase list. I light of that I'd claim for me the NerdSEQ actually saved more money in terms of "no-longer-required" modules than it actually costed.

Kind regards,
Michael

[T3t_one]

For me the NerdSEQ is as close to a DAW as you possibly can get with gear inside your rack.

Perhaps for most people too, seeing as the Sequentix Cirklon w/ Analogue Bus Breakout Box is the price of a small car.  

[Kubase]

Very similar for me. My PC was my sequencer, and I stuck at it for a long time, but realised I just didn't like sitting at the PC to make music. I mean, I don't mind a bit of it and still use it for FX, mixing and poly synth VSTs (which I now sequence from the NerdSeq). However, I wanted lots of control, multiple channels, MIDI and song mode, and NerdSeq was the solution even if I was a bit wary about tracker-style sequncing - but I love it. It's fast and soooo easy trying different variations and arrangements - cloning patterns, setting number of repeats etc. was something I hadn't even factored in to my decision but I find it revolutionary. And, as every pattern gets a number automatically I actually find keeping track of what I'm doing easier than a DAW.

[Demure]

I think the closest comparison I could make is that the NerdSeq is like having a gameboy with LSDJ in your rack (If not multiple).

But hey, in the category of things that sequence things (Which seems one of the few points on which you could compare it to a DAW) it's all about what works for you. That's why I'm always happy to see new ways of sequencing compared to another oscillator.

For me the NerdSeq is one of the workflows that works the best for me. I feel like I can quickly key in things and importantly I just have a good time working with it. Triggering patterns is no issue for me from the front panel, but beta launchpad features / game pad input are nice alternative options and I enjoy switching it up.

You say you still 'love the idea of the NerdSeq', but I think you're missing that what idea you had of the NerdSeq when you bought it, just isn't what it is or ever was. It sounds like you had no previous experiences with trackers, considering you don't enjoy keying in sequences and seem to think triggering patterns externally is the 'core use' of the NerdSeq. That' ok! You had an idea of what you were getting into, and it just wasn't it at all or didn't have the energy to give it a longer try. It happens. Just sell it, try something else or something you already liked.

[Gminorcoles]

I think the closest comparison I could make is that the NerdSeq is like having a gameboy with LSDJ in your rack (If not multiple).

But hey, in the category of things that sequence things (Which seems one of the few points on which you could compare it to a DAW) it's all about what works for you. That's why I'm always happy to see new ways of sequencing compared to another oscillator.

For me the NerdSeq is one of the workflows that works the best for me. I feel like I can quickly key in things and importantly I just have a good time working with it. Triggering patterns is no issue for me from the front panel, but beta launchpad features / game pad input are nice alternative options and I enjoy switching it up.

You say you still 'love the idea of the NerdSeq', but I think you're missing that what idea you had of the NerdSeq when you bought it, just isn't what it is or ever was. It sounds like you had no previous experiences with trackers, considering you don't enjoy keying in sequences and seem to think triggering patterns externally is the 'core use' of the NerdSeq. That' ok! You had an idea of what you were getting into, and it just wasn't it at all or didn't have the energy to give it a longer try. It happens. Just sell it, try something else or something you already liked.

I made a lot of good sequences with it. But since the summer I started gradually using it less, and once I realized that I had this reckoning. I stand by what I wrote, I love the nerdseq as a thing, and as a piece of design skill, and I love the idea of what it can do. 

I am always looking for sequencers because I also don’t love sitting down at the computer always to make music. But I cobble together what I need from different places. I still use the daw, right now mostly as a weird clock to drive the hardware sequencers once I figured out that I could do that with the Nerdseq and the midi breakout. 

My previous experience with trackers is Renoise. It’s not a fair comparison for reasons thst Thomas alluded too. Screen real estate, and pattern length, not a limitation in that computing environment. 

My own limitations caused me to bail on nerdseq for now, but while limits have to be respected, and the context and ethos of modular informs some of these limits, I don’t think it is bad to identity which limitations Of the nerdseq were the ones which I identified as most salient. I also think that it is absolutely acceptable and even important to compare apples and oranges, the comparison does not harm either fruit, and by discriminating we hopefully can improve our judgement. 

It is likely  that I will buy another nerdseq when I am better adapted to its workflow. I have revisited other gear and it has worked out much better After I learned more as a musician.