MEK - newb sequencer question

sorry for another MEK question... i'm moments away from getting one.

i just have a question about the on-board sequencer. bare with me, i don't know a whole lot about sequencers.

first off, i want to do stuff like this guy:

(the song cepheid)

http://www.myspace.com/stevemoore2600

and this guy:

i was planning on getting the future retro mobius because i really want a step sequencer that's easy to use, where the sequencer loops over and over as i add steps(notes?) to the sequence... and i can change the individual notes in real time as it loops.

will the MEK onboard sequencer function in this way? would it be pointless to get the mobius? does the mobius come with decent preset patches i could hear online somewhere?

thanks!!!

also, is it possible to trigger other synths via midi with the MEK sequencer?

I dont know if the MEK sequencer is identicle to the one in the PEK, but the PEK can sacrifice a sequencer line to send MIDI notes out, and a second line to send velocity data. I believe you can send controller info too.

if your intent is to use the MEK to control other gear with the sequencer, I'd say you would probably happier doing so with a mobeius. the MEK sequencer is good, but its kinda tuned to working with the MEK with its capaibility to control other gear a bonus. I dont know if you will find the joy your looking for going with just it.

well i know i want a MEK, but i was originally planning on getting a mobious to sequence it... but reading about the MEK, it sounds like it has a pretty nice sequencer already. i just wanted to know if it would be reduntant to get a mobious to sequence the MEK.

if the MEK can also sequence my other synth's that would be a bonus.

are there any advantages to getting a mobious in addition to the MEK?

I dont really see an advantage. best way woudl be to get the MEK and try it out. You can always get the Mobius later if its sequencer doesnt satisfy.

It's not entirely redundant. You can supplement the evolver sequencer by sequencing additional parameters with an external sequencer. It can get kind of wild...

okay, so maybe get the MEK and then see if i need the mobious, that makes sense. but i've got another newb question:

with the evolver desktop module... do you need a midi keyboard to program it? or can you program what notes to play with the knobs?

i'm assuming you need a midi keyboard, i just want to make sure.

you can program the sequencer notes with the knobs. You might find editing the desktop easier with one of the editors. There are 2 that work pretty well - one by Soundtower and one by Vyzor. Personally, I preferred the Vyzor, but opinions differ. Of course, if you're using a computer editor, then that kind of defeats the purpose to having a hardware synth, but you still get the Evolver sound, and you can see all of the sequencer step values at once, plus get a good view of the other stuff all on the screen. An editor is less of a necessity with the mek and pek.

cool. so i assume i need some kind of USB/MIDI interface to connect my mac to the evolver?

it looks like programming the module with vyzor would be easier than using the MEK by itself... and cheaper!

Cheaper, yes. But don't underestimate the joys of a good hardware interface.

true. i guess i liked seeing the 4 sequences all lined up in front you.

ugh, now i'm stuck between the module and the keyboard version.

thanks for your help!

Well, you can always get the editor for when you want to work that way...the desktop evolver is a bit of a pain to edit. I've heard very few bad opinions on the mek.

okay, yeah... i'll get the MEK.

so Vyzor works with the MEK the same as the module?

99% sure. You can email the Evolver list, or email Vyzor for that last bit of certainty. They have a website also. I don't have it handy.

will do.

thanks for taking the time to walk me through this.

i pick up the MEK tomorrow at 2:00!

Excellent. I think you'll be pleased with your decision.