oof this is an amazing and very hard question. I think with the sheer amount of voices it’s possible to have for practically no money if you have Ableton means that sequencing is actually a much more important determinant of how you’ll express yourself.
I’ve used quite a few sequencers and approaches, and each has benefits and drawbacks. I think as far as midi sequencers go, open source is the key.
In my opinion, Norns + Grid is really the ideal sequencer, because it offers several different approaches with varying degrees of control and different paradigms for ‘patch programming’ and randomness. Moreover, the community can build applications that suit existing needs, rather than developing a product and bringing it to market. Much like Dieter’s decision to open source the Eurorack spec, Norns creates a platform for innovation; a tide that creates & lifts many boats.
I use Squarp’s Pyramid and Hermod, both of which are outstanding and incredibly complex. If they were open source, they would be hardware platforms for innovation, rather than consumer products. An open source Squarp ecosystem would allow users to develop their own midi effects, for example. I had and loved an OPZ because it was simple, fast, and tiny. It’s unfortunate that devices like Squarp and TE are closed source, because the hardware platforms would be amazing jumping off points for creative expression.
