Erica Synths Black Sequencer, the wait for the long-awaited Eurorack Sequencer beast is almost over, in December it should be ready. Here is a first look at the features.
The long wait ends. The Erica Synths Black Sequencer is about to be released. According to Erica Synths, the Black Sequencer will be available on 15 December 2020, so just before Christmas. Hope it won’t be pushed back again.
The developer says that the Black Sequencer takes classic modular sequencing to the next level by adding tons of features required for contemporary modular synthesizers.
Erica Synths Black Sequencer
Black Sequencer has 4-tracks, each with a channel with dedicated CV, gate, and modulation outputs. Each sequence has up to 64 steps and can be chained into up to 64 patterns up to 32 times each in song mode. For every step, you get note, glide, gate length, modulation, probability, repeats, and ratcheting. Only these single-step functions make it very powerful. A pattern can have up to 32 repeats, that’s a lot.
The feature list is not over yet. It features a built-in quantizer which simplifies note entry but you can also go in a free mode or apply microtonal tuning. Each offers its own timing divisions/multiplications and a shuffle. This can, for example, quickly achieve polyrhythmic results. They also have built-in modulators like LFOs and envelope generators. So far, ES does not tell us what you can do with it. Probably to bring even more complexity and movement into sequences.
Erica Synths does not stop here. Black Sequencer has a powerful parameter randomization function built into the engine. This is hidden behind the magic button. If you press this with another button, it randomizes this parameter. I can imagine that it’s a lot of fun.
Connections
Black Sequencer features four CV/gates/modulation outputs, MIDI in/out, but also inputs. However, these inputs are disabled in the first (1.0) firmware. The same applies to the MIDI implementation which is limited to clock functionality. So the first release has the motto: work in progress. Lastly, if you’re looking for drum channels, the BS doesn’t have it. It is designed purely to sequence notes.
Features At A Glance
- 4 CV/GATE/Modulation tracks
- MIDI IN and MIDI OUT
- Clock and Reset In/Out
- 16 encoders for easy sequence input
- Up to 64 steps per pattern
- Song mode – up to 64 patterns in chain, each pattern with up to 32x repeats
- Note, Glide, Gate length and Modulation adjustment per step
- Probability, repeats and ratcheting per step
- Microtonal tuning
- Adjustable shuffle per track, shuffle mode customization
- Timing divisions/multiplications per track
- Built-in quantizer
- Random pattern generator
- 16 banks of 16 pattern memory
- SD card slot for backup and firmware updates
Erica Synths Black Sequencer will be available in mid-December for 510€ (ex-VAT).
More information here: Erica Synths
I have much Erica gear but am very disappointed in this. There is no innovation at all. Everything is press press press, clicks and menu crazy for even little things. It is like some bad 90s gear.