From: vick@Vaduz.docs.uu.se (Mikael Lundgren)
Newsgroups: rec.music.synth
Subject: The Coordinator List 920901
Date: 1 Sep 92 12:30:21 GMT
Organization: UDAC, Uppsala, Sweden


		       The list of Coordinators
				   
	   - a guide for buyers of new or old coordinators
	 maintained by Mikael Lundgren (vick@bern.docs.uu.se)
				   
				   
Q: What is a coordinator?
A: A piece of equipment which can be used to control/program the
   performance of an internal and/or external sound source.
Q: So a drummachine is a coordinator?
A: Yep. And so is a sequencer, a bass machine, a MIDI arpeggiator etc.
Q: Do this list apply to MIDI gear only?
A: Definitely not.
Q: So, how do I get it?
A: Attend to rec.music.synth, or mail me at the address above.
Q: How can it get better?
A: Write some reviews of your own gear, and send it to me.
Q: What format should they be in?
A: Please follow the format of the reviews already here :T)


Well, that should cover most of it. Please help making this list
a valuable piece of information, and a guidance tool for all
musicians who are about to buy themselves a coordinator of any kind.
I need YOUR review. TODAY!

Please note, that I take no responsibility whatsoever concerning
the views expressed in the reviews! ( ;) But one can never be sure..)


			     THE REVIEWS


(review by Mikael Lundgren)

ROLAND TB303 BassLine

DESCRIPTION:	Programmable Bass machine.
INTERNAL 
SOUND SORCE:	1 Oscillator analog synth with primitive VCA.
		The VCF intensity can be varied by the EG, the
		Q can be set up to self-oscillation.
INPUTS:		Sync, 9V DC, Mix (for external sound source)
OUTPUTS:	CV (1V/oct), Trig, Head+Line.
SYNC:		Din Sync.
2ND DATA STORE: None.
MEMORY SIZE:	64 patterns. Each pattern can be max 16/16ths long. 
		7 tracks.
SIZE:		Small and compact. Fits neatly on the button-less
		side of my masterkeyboard. (Ensoniq Mirage)
SEQUENCER TYPE: Pattern based.
PROGRAMMING:	Step + 'Real'. It's *tricky* to learn how to use it.
		First, you enter the notes it should play in sequence
		using the small 'keyboard' on top of it. Then, you
		enter 'TIME MODE' and start punching in the note
		values+rests for each note! The only available time step
		is a 1/16 note. So to enter a 1/8 middle C which should
		last for 1/4, here is the procedure:
		a) Go PITCH MODE. Press middle C on keyboard.
		b) Go TIME MODE. Press 1/16 ON, 1/16 ON, 1/16 OFF, 1/16 OFF !

		Oh, and there is the 'Tap' mode as well; When in TIME
		MODE, by pressing some buttons, you can start the
		empty (?) pattern *after* programming all tone values
		first! A metronome sounds, and you can now determine
		the length+sustain of each programmed note by depressing
		the TAP button at appropriate times! (sigh)
BUGS:		Will replace your immaculate newly created bass pattern
		with random data if you switch from PATTERN WRITE MODE
		to PATTERN PLAY MODE while running it....
		If you don't enter enough timing info (or too much) 
		random data is heard. This is even stated in the manual...
IMPRESSITUDE:	Low. A small, metal box with a painted-on keyboard
		doesn't impress too many I'm afraid...
NO:		I can't possibly see how this was actually marketed
		for serious use? To use this gadget, you'll need the
		patience of a 14-year old whiz kid. Don't buy it
		unless you're willing to spend some couple of days
		reading the manual. This is the first machine that
		got me so baffled, I *had* to read the f***:(**g manual!
YES:		It's fun to use once you get used to the 'interface'.
		And the on-board synth may be thin, but can that
		filter sing :) Good for those 1/16 bass lines we
		hear too little of these days.
HINTS:		Remove back-up batteries. Wait an hour. Turn it on.
		Presto: 64 random bass patterns :)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

(review by Mikael Lundgren)

YAMAHA QX5 Digital Sequence Recorder

DESCRIPTION: 	Digital sequencer.
INTERNAL 
SOUND SORCE: 	None. (OK, a 'tick' for click...)
INPUTS:		MIDI in, tape in, foot switch
OUTPUTS:	MIDI out + thru, tape out, click (audio)
SYNC:		MIDI, TAPE
2ND DATA STORE: Cassette. Can transfer via MIDI. QX5FD has 3.5" drive.
MEMORY SIZE:	128k = ~20,000 notes. (15,000 with velocity)
		8 tracks, 32 macros. (A macro is a track, which can
		be called upon from a track. Geddit?)
SIZE:		350x240x49 mm, weighs 2.9 kg (!)
SEQUENCER TYPE: Linear.
PROGRAMMING:	Real/Step via remote keyboard.
BUGS:		Actually this one hasn't failed me a single time
		in one year's heavy use. No bugs found...yet?
IMPRESSITUDE:	Quite low, which is why you want to use something
		like this on stage. Black, slim design.
NO:		All editing/recording is performed on track 1.
		This means a lot of swapping tracks, as track 1
		always must contain the track to be edited, or
		the to-be-recorded track.
		Relies quite heavily on sub-menus, but they are
		logically constructed. Memory size may be obstructive.
		No undo function.
YES:		Backlit LCD display. Lots of features when editing
		tracks. Really easy to use. Has most of the features
		you expect from software-based sequencer, but this
		has the usual advantage of being 'ready to shoot'	
		whenever you'll turn it on. Can take velocity
		in step mode also. 
HINTS:		Keep notes on which tracks/macros contains what.
		Extremely easy to spoil a days work otherwise..
		You really want the FD version, unless you have
		a) patience, or b) a MIDI data drive.



(review by Mikael Lundgren)

Yamaha QX1 Digital Sequence Recorder.

DESCRIPTION: 	Digital sequencer. Does everything but making coffee.
INTERNAL 
SOUND SORCE: 	None. (Well OK, it clicks...)
INPUTS:	     	MIDI, Tape Sync, Foot Switch
OUTPUTS:	8 MIDI out (!), 1 MIDI thru, click, Tape Sync
SYNC:		Tape, MIDI
2ND DATA STORE: 512kb 5/25" disk drive
MEMORY SIZE:	512kb ~ 80.000 notes.
SIZE:		About the size of a portable computer w/o 
		monitor/screen. I'll update this with details.
SEQUENCER TYPE: Linear. Strictly following the operations of a
		multi-track tape deck. Multiple banks with 8 tracks
		each can be chained together. Very intuitive.
		All banks, tracks, disks can be given small
		memo labels from the kbd.
PROGRAMMING:	Real/Step via remote kbd or from front panel(!)
BUGS:		None. One of the least crashable sequencers
		I've come across (not counting the analog ones ;)
		It's *very* reliable.
IMPRESSITUDE:	Huge. Large backlit display, LED:s to show track
		selection, enormous front panel (computer-inspired)
NO:		Can't send MIDI in to MIDI out. This sucks, as
		you have to merge the thru jack with the outs' 
		involving an external box. I have still to check up
		on this one though, as I haven't received all 
		manuals yet.
		Sometimes saves to disk unnecessary often. It's ok
		with an automatic backup system, but those extra
		seconds wait every now and then can be irritating.
		The size *could* be a problem, but it's still
		more portable than a computer.
		Numeric keys used quite often to select different
		jobs (instead of submenus), but no numeric
		keypad. This was corrected on the QX3 I believe.
		5/25" disks are slower (and bigger) than 3/5".
YES:		Easy to work with. Intuitive. Reliable. Steelcase.
		Professionally built and designed. 8 reroutable
		MIDI outs! 
HINTS:		Beware! Don't use the tape-transport keys
		in record mode, as the track can get erased!
		The manual states this, thankfully.
		(But it's still a doubtful 'feature')

--
() University of Uppsala ,Sweden   |  Mikael (Vick) Lundgren      ____       ()
() Department of Computer Science  |  vick@bern.docs.uu.se       /..  \/|    ()
() Remember:Four bananas always add up to a plectrum.           (----)  | )) ()
() Neither more nor less and definitely not the other way around.\____/\|    ()