April The most important piece of software you'll use is also the most complicated Okay, I lied. This column is called Basics. Instead, let's start a new series of columns on a topic that practically every reader of Keyboard cares about. Let's talk about sequencers.
Sequencers come in different sizes and shapes.
For the most part, these are MIDI-only devices. Then there are the computer programs, most of which handle not only MIDI but digital audio, and all of which have enough features to choke a horse. I know you're just itching to read about the 19 different types of quantization, graphic editing tool options, and the perils of plug-ins. Before we get into all that, though, we need to lay a bit of groundwork. When you hook your synth to a MIDI sequencer, hit the Record button, and then play the synth, what gets recorded into your sequencer are your key-presses, knob movements, and so on.