List of music sequencers


s are hardware devices or application software that can record, edit, or play back music, by handling note and performance information.

Hardware sequencers

Many synthesizers, and by definition all music workstations, groove machines and drum machines, contain their own sequencers.
The following are specifically designed to function primarily as the music sequencers:

Rotating object with pins or holes

Analog sequencers with CV/Gate interface

Analog-style MIDI step sequencers
Since the analog synthesizer revivals in the 1990s, newly designed MIDI sequencers with a series of knobs or slider similar to analog sequencer have appeared. These often equip CV/Gate and DIN sync interface along with MIDI, and even the patch memory for multiple sequence patterns and possibly song sequence. These analog-digital hybrid machines are often called "Analog-style MIDI step sequencer" or "MIDI analog sequencer", etc.
has built-in step sequencer with a series of value knobs
Several machines also provide the song mode to play the sequence of memoried patterns in specified order, as on drum machine.
Typical step sequencers are integrated on drum machines, bass machines, groove machines, music production machines, and these software versions. Often, these also support the semi-realtime recording mode, too.
Several tiny keyboards provide a step sequencer combined with an independent timing mode for recording and performance:
Several machines have white and black chromatic keypads, to enter the musical phrases.
-type machines with white and black chromatic keypads, often support step recording mode along with realtime recording mode:
Other groovebox-type machines also often support step recording mode, of course:
Recently emerging button-grid-style interfaces/instruments are naturally support step sequence. On these machines, one axis on grid means musical scale or sample to play, and another axis means timing of notes.

In addition, newly designed hardware MIDI sequencers equipping a series of knobs/sliders similar to analog sequencers, are appeared. For details, see #Analog-style MIDI step sequencers.

Digital sequencers

CV/Gate

Also often support Gate clock and DIN sync interfaces.
Standalone MIDI sequencers

Free, open source

Scorewriters

Software MIDI sequencers