Steinberg Sequel

Sequel - In Detail...

Sequel is a timeline-based multi-track audio recording and MIDI sequencing application combined with a whole set of built-in studio-quality audio effects, virtual instruments, and a vast library of audio and MIDI loops/phrases, instrument sounds, and track presets. Sequel is totally integrated. Instead of controlling external MIDI devices or 3rd-party plug-ins and virtual instruments, Sequel is a powerful sound-creation and processing device itself and produces its own instrument sounds and effects.

Steinberg Sequel - Make music the easy way!
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Besides recording, editing and mixing audio and instruments, Sequel also offers powerful pattern-style arranging features, a global transpose track, and a unique live arrangement mode, which allows the user to remix/recombine song-parts on the fly and play along with them.

Single-Window User Interface

All recording, arranging, editing, and mixing are done from a single window. This window can be changed in size and run in near-full-screen mode on both platforms. The user interface itself is highly icon/object-based and offers localised tool tips to describe every function. Sequel is 99% identical on PC and Mac.

Steinberg Sequel - Single-Window User Interface
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Pilot Zone

This section controls all of Sequel main functions. It includes the transport buttons, a tempo/key/position display, as well as buttons to create/open/save projects; create tracks, show/hide the Transpose Track, Arranger Track, track automation and other useful functions.

Steinberg Sequel - Pilot Zone
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Arrange Zone

This is the main project workspace in Sequel. It is where all recording, editing, and arranging takes place. Similarly to Cubase it shows linear tracks with events on a timeline but in a much more streamlined way:

• There are only two track types: Audio (to record/play live audio and play audio loops) and Instrument (to record/play the integrated instruments of Sequel and play instrument loops.
  
  
• Automation is shown directly on the track event, not on a separate automation lane.
  
  
• Tracks have basic volume and pan controls directly on the track controls
  
  
• Tracks can quickly be switched between three different heights, including a special view with the selected track enlarged
  
  
• Zoom Macros and QuickZoom allow for ultra-fast navigation
  
  
• Editing events has never been easier thanks to the Sequel SmartTool, which changes its function depending on the mouse position over the event.
  
  
• The arrange zone also includes the Sequel Arranger Track for defining sections of a song, and the Transpose Track to apply global transpose to the entire song
  
  
  

Steinberg Sequel - Arrange Zone
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Multi Zone – Mixer Page

The bottom part of the Sequel program window is the Multi Zone where all mixing, advanced editing, effects processing and instrument editing takes place. It also includes the powerful MediaBay loop- and sound-browsers. The first page of the Multi Zone is the Mixer Page. With its horizontal bank of faders and clear metering this track mixer is intuitively easy to use.

Steinberg Sequel - Multi Zone Mixer
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Multi Zone – Track Inspector Page

The Track Inspector represents a single channel strip with all its edit parameters. There are individual tabs for Event Effects (Instrument Track only), Instrument parameters (Instrument Track only), Track Effects (inserts), and Equalizers. It also provides access to the master channel’s functions: Global Effects (send effects) and Output Effects (master insert effects). Finding the right parameter is easy: with the mouse hovering over a tab, its parameters are temporarily displayed without having to select it.

Steinberg Sequel - Track Inspector Page with Equalizer Tab
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Steinberg Sequel - Track Inspector Page with Global Effects Tab
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Multi-Zone – Media Bay Page

The Media Bay Page is a browser for audio and instrument loops, instrument presets, and audio or instrument track presets (complete channel strips). Users can access the massive library of Sequel sounds and loops from this page. Finding the right loop or sound is a breeze, thanks to powerful filter and search functions.

Steinberg Sequel - Media Bay
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Multi-Zone – Editor Page

The Editor Page allows you to do advanced audio and instrument editing. It shows the contents of whatever event is currently selected in the Arrange Zone in more detail. Here, the timing of events can be corrected (Quantize) or a different rhythmic feel can be applied (Swing). Wrong notes can be either corrected or erased. Or events can be transposed. All of these edit functions are available for both audio and instrument events! And since editing in Sequel is always non-destructive, nothing is ever lost and edits can always be undone.

Steinberg Sequel - Sample Editor
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Multi-Zone – Arranger Page

Possibly the most powerful part of Sequel is its Arranger mode. The Arranger Page takes any project to a new dimension by allowing it to break free from the linear timeline. A pre-defined set of sections of a song can now be recombined in many different ways or even “played” in realtime. Sections that have been defined on the Arranger Track in the Arrange Zone are automatically mapped to Pads on the Arranger Page. These pads can be named or remapped at any time.

Steinberg Sequel - Arranger Page
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The Arranger Page has two work modes:

• In Pad Mode hitting a pad automatically starts playback of that section and loops that section until a different pad is hit. Hitting the “Stop” pad will stop playback. Different Jump modes control when the next section is played.
  
  
• In Chain Play Mode the pads serve a different purpose. Hitting a pad now creates a link in the song chain. This way, a new arrangement can be created. A great way to try alternate versions of a song or to create extended mixes. Multiple versions (chains) can be created and saved with the project.

Combining Pad Mode and Chain Play Mode unfolds the real performance power of Sequel: it never stops and never misses a beat, even when switching between the two modes. While playing, the tracks can be tweaked on the other pages of the Multi Zone. It is even possible to play along with the arrangement by selecting pre-defined Instruments or Audio Tracks.

Multi-Zone – Program Settings Page

The last page of the Multi Zone is the Program Settings page. As the name indicates, this page collects all global settings for Sequel. These include audio hardware settings, settings for project and content locations, GUI style options, and more. You may notice that Sequel requires no more than 12 program settings.

Steinberg Sequel - Program Settings
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Panel Colours – Examples

The panel colour may easily be changed to suit your taste by means of a simple slider on the Program Settings page...

Steinberg Sequel - Panel Colour Examples
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Sequel Content – Terrific Value!

Unlike other products of its kind Sequel comes with a massive collection of sounds, loops, presets, and track templates to create music in many different styles. Sequel has more content than all of its competitors combined! (see comparison chart). Here is an overview of what is included:

Audio and Instrument Loops: Sequel includes more than 4500 Loops, parts of which are audio loops and parts are instrument loops (containing MIDI and track preset data). An additional 500 loops can be unlocked after registering the product. These loops cover a wide range of modern popular musical styles:

Instruments: Sequel is equipped with more than 600 ready-to-play instrument sounds! These are either sample-based or analogue modeling based. A full GM sound-set is included, as well as more than 60 drum kits for various styles. Sounds can be tweaked using eight convenient QuickEdit parameters. Edits can be saved together with EQ and effects as new track presets.

Audio Track Presets: New audio tracks can be created directly from Track Presets, which is a huge timesaver and a great help specially for first-time users. More than 50 Track Presets are available for various instrument types, as well as vocals. A special group of electric guitar Track Presets feature the Sequel guitar amp simulator combined with other effects and EQ to create impressive guitar sounds out-of-the-box.

More Info:

• Sequel Introduction...
  
  
• Technical Specification...
  
  
• System Requirements...
  
  
• Sequel UK Microsite...
  
  
• Buy Steinberg Sequel Online (Official UK Online Shop)...
  
  
• Steinberg UK Dealers...