Sequentix Cirklon

Connections:

refer to the manufacturer's website: wholesale 5 MIDI IN / OUT, 1 port for connecting a SYNC BAR TR period, a USB port and turn it into a midi interface (can use this port to carry MIDI on USB 6 additional ports via this mode) SD card slot (YES!). a CV Gate optional interface ... an ON / OFF button on the rear panel and a small external power supply (only faults on the machine I think)

What caractériques sequencer:

This is probably the most successful to my knowledge Hardware Sequencer mode. Here, one key word: This machine is made for you to last you switch between computers. Wholesale:
a piece consists of a SONG, which include SCENES, in which you set the patterns for each track ... well a normal sequencer used in two modes: a step mode (P3 pattern for those who know) and a real-time mode (CIRKLON pattern)

the highlight of the machine is clearly the accuracy of the clock, and that goes with the precision of clock synchronization capabilities of the tracks are amazing ... We will return

The screen is large and particularly well studied, although it reminds me of the 80 computers in terminal mode, making is remarkable. I confess to a certain pleasure in manipulating light step buttons, which are comparable to keyboard keys 80-90 years, big race, accurate ... the rotary are excellent braying, Waves, the two rotary knobs are good, c is really well built and obviously that will pay, the admittedly

UTILIZATION

General requirements:
Simple, maybe not ... the impressive machines ... well for a step sequencer it takes some courage to launch the sum of buttons leaves doubtful for the first 30 minutes ...

Then connect a MIDI instrument is quickly configure (eg JD990 about noon one port), one creates a small pattern of 16 steps per pattern on a 4 bar on a lead it works just as can easily imagine.

Then configures a second track with a new instrument on the midi port 2 (a small sampler EMU, on channel 1 for its wholesale KICK TR808) while the track 1 continues to run, but yes you can change the length the pattern, for example 64 steps per pattern on a length of 16 measures

you attack a third bass track in real-time mode with a keypad by routing the midi input automatically to the correct expander ... all without interrupting the song, it clears, we make undos ..; of not copying, it selects a fraction, is stuck on another track, all within a few button presses ... WITHOUT MOUSE !!! brief we focus on the song and not the technique ...

we add the tracks, then played with the sequence and number of repeat scenes ... are fun to record mutes = unmutes tracks ... we recorded it all on the SD card. No surprise in the event of power failure, everything is saved in FLASH. After rebooting you end up exactly where we were ... it reassures ...

and then basically the cirklon, in itself is already a killer for the musician on tour, because everything is integrated into a rack 2 U, we made easily and having fun that's all ...

BUT ... the beyond this mode of operation, which is fabulous, is that you can have fun with every imaginable controls for each instrument (whose parameters are saved once and for all) can play CC, the exchange programs selections banks, pan, velocity, lengths of notes, and everything you can imagine carving curves values ​​by turning two rotary.

you have to see it to believe it. it's simply amazing. (Let's say I want to increase a cut off on my track lead), I select AUX, I affect the cutoff with the Aux, I turn the rotary step 1 to the left, turns the rotary on the step16 right, and I have a nice curve cut off growing 16 0,5seconde not ... we're done and it works.

And I'm not talking about options quantize, reverse reads, random and commuters, temporal offset generation track via the "stitching" of note other tracks and accumulators because it would take days to explain all the functionality of this sequencer.

it is a machine that fits simple operation and can, if desired, push the sound design in the corners ultimate ... I love it.

SOUNDS

sound side ... it will be hard to talk about, it would be ideal to watch some videos on youtube lying around, even if they only partially reflect the use of the machine.

There is a but ... no management of audio so it is necessary to use a DTD or magneto type then connect it all to a STAN (sync with cirklon) this is important. So for an instrument that's all good.

Unless you're like me, allergic skin PCs, but having some U available by buying an old DR4 or DR8 ... and all your audio tracks can be syncho but it is a high regard ...

for comparison I went through a lot of sequencers, MC50, 1000 ... MPC3000. MV8000, Roland R8, Roland TR beat707 (one of my best memories) not to mention all the internal sequencer (ASR10, korg trinity, roland xp, MC505 groove box, Kurzweil K2500, Quasimidi Cyber ​​6 etc). Bizarrely, I was hooked with the sequencer of the ASR, the cyber6 and beat707 ... the rest .. yuck ... I never tested electron, it seems pretty close for that matter, but it seems to me to drive the afternoon ... blah blah, check though.

I confess to being attentive enough to the sequencer pro2 and Sub 37 except that they are sequencers monotimbrales ... compared to CIRKLON, it hurts, especially since the CIRKLON has a CV / GATE option to fade the two cities keyboards.

OVERALL OPINION

Rather old school computer music with commodores, the Ataris PC (I had Logic version 5 on windows ...) and MAC, I am rather stayed true to the sequencer Hardware. but until now, you had to admit, it was tedious ... and then sequenced on computer, I never got to love the feeling ..

cirklon it gathers for me the best of both worlds, efficient, groovy, integration into my set up perfect, well-built, compact, it has many benefits ...

but it is also too expensive. It is deserved, because it really is a jewel, I sold a good amount of stuff to offer me. I do not regret it. it's ultra productive and I enjoy composing.

For some it will be the holy grail sequencers, for another, it will only be superfluous, since it can offer a ipad or computer ... The best would be to test it but hard to find one in France.

I forgot: to order from cirklon can drive you insane, as the months of delays are necessary ... you have to trust the site Sequentix there are honest. Finally a true community exists for users and really active, a sort of club.

Congratulations Sequentix! (Cirklon serial number: 101 !!!)

NB: I suck at writing, but if a moderator wants to come test the cirklon to write a page of audiofanzine test, I am very open about!

See technical data on AF I just filled.
The Cirklon is a hardware sequencer, it leaves MIDI (possible via USB) or HP (I have not taken the CV option).

UTILIZATION

The manual is supplied with the machine as a small file, which allows you to "update" the manual with the updated firmware. It is only in English, but perfectly clear and very readable. The advantage of a sequencer is that you can get a very clear idea of ​​the use of the machine by reading the manual available on the Sequentix site.

The configuration is very simple for someone who knows about MIDI. I assume that whoever wants to buy a Cirklon knows where he puts his feet.

The ergonomics of the machine is bluffing. The machine is designed, coded and built by one person, the work of craftsmanship.

Programming capabilities of the patterns are almost limitless, you can check the values ​​of each step of the pattern (length, velocity, CC, note ...), but also the eigenvalues ​​of the pattern (time base length not the pattern ...), and finally global values ​​the piece (tempo. ..). Values ​​can be programmed by hand (super simple with a system not = a + button encoder) can capture live value with assignable knobs, you can also put a random function on each parameter, or cross the parameters between two tracks. And much more!

SOUNDS

Not applicable: the cirklon produces no sound.

OVERALL OPINION

I use since June 2013.
What I liked least:
- Waiting: I registered in November 2013 on the waiting list for the fourth run of production, and I had to wait seven months to receive the beast, No. 322 series. 7 months of anguish.
What I like most:
- The characteristics, functions, usability, programming options, everything.
- The after-sales service and the community there is a forum dedicated to Cirklon, with between 500 and 600 users, where the designer of the machine answers all questions (bugs + proposals for developments) and publishes updates Update the machine. The forum is a little "sect irreducible hardware", but there are lots of really useful information.

Overall this is a specific hyper machine, it strongly oriented towards pure electronic and pure hardware.
In my humble opinion this machine does not have a competitor in the hardware level:
- Pure step sequencers: there are beautiful products but in the end it seems quite limited
- Elektron sequencers: very good to control internal sounds but too limited to control a complete setup
- Akai MPC 2500 I had an MPC and casually MIDI sequencer MPC was already very successful. To ask MIDI tracks quickly is comparable, but to set against fine or do the live tracks Cirklon is two divisions above.
Before purchasing Cirklon I tried Ableton Live on Mac, but even with a dedicated controller APC 20 I have not managed to find the fluidity that I had with the MPC and I found, and better, with Cirklon.

The price / quality ratio is expensive but the quality is undeniable, once again it is manufacturing small quantities, it must be 500 copies from the output to 2011/2012. Anyway I do not think buying a Cirklon can from a rational approach!