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Over the last five years, I have seen more and more producers start to move towards external hardware like groove boxes, synths, and all-in-one samplers/product gear like the Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II, The Novation Circuit, and one of our new favorites, the Yamaha Seqtrak.
The Yamaha Seqtrak combines drum programming with synthesis and sampling. Despite its compact form factor, it includes an onboard sequencer and a collection of effects. I got a hold of the new Seqtrak in the super cool orange/gray colorway (also available in standard black). Today, I found it one of the more unique and powerful groovebox/portable studio machines and have awarded it a Magnetic Magazine 2024 Editor’s Choice Award.
So, in this comprehensive Yamaha Seqtrak Review, let’s examine everything this little box can do.
Yamaha Seqtrak Review Overview:
In music production, pursuing the perfect balance between innovation, functionality, portability, and useability is the quest for the Holy Grail of hardware. No perfect machine exists for any producer, but the Seqtrak gets about as close as you can get with high marks across the board.
With the new Yamaha Seqtrak Music Production Studio, or Ideastation, as it is also called, this pursuit has reached new heights. It delivers a seamless blend of cutting-edge technology and intuitive (and usable) design with a somewhat manageable learning curve for most experienced producers.
At first glance, the Yamaha Seqtrak exudes a sleek, funky, and almost retro-looking form factor with a LOT of buttons and knobs. The layout is clean and ergonomic, considering how much is packed in there, offering incredible features and functionality. Seqtrak lacks any digital display, so you must learn to navigate the controls rather than menu dive, which might make this more difficult for some.
Editor’s Choice Award
Last year, we launched the Editor’s Choice Awards to showcase some of the best and most innovative products to hit the market this year. We do not hand out this award halfheartedly, as we really do seek to set the bar as high as possible for any products we award this badge of honor to; Yamaha Seqtrak, by all metrics, is a home run.
I will be breaking down some of its best features here throughout this review, so we’ll save some of its most standout features for later on. Going into everything I’m about to share, I know that the Seqtrak is a genuine class act and a masterclass in ingenuity and application.
Is The Seqtrak For Me?
Who is this device for?
You are the target if you are a music producer who enjoys working outside the box, aka the computer, and appreciates hardware that can help you sketch out songs or ideas.
The Seqtrak is for those who like to tinker around anywhere and look for inspiration out in the wild rather than sit in front of a computer all the time. It is also great for DJs/producers who want to bring a live element into their DJ performance, which can be a lot of fun if you know how to make it work. You will love this thing if you like analog synths, groove boxes, and gear that lets you focus on the simple building blocks.
Who this is not targeting?
If you are a producer who likes to focus on your core DAW for your creations and keep things simple, you may not be apt to take steps to learn how to use the Seqtrak. Often, producers will be wowed by the shiny object, even though they don’t use hardware, and end up hitting the buy button only for the device to sit on their desk and collect dust.
Sound Engines & Programming
Yamaha’s Advanced Wave Memory 2 (AWM2) sound engine offers a wide range of authentic sounds, such as pianos, strings, guitars, and more, with 128-note polyphony. It also includes a separate four-operator FM synthesis engine that provides a versatile selection of pads, leads, electronic piano sounds, and others. The dedicated drum section features eight encoders for hands-on control over individual kit element levels and 16 buttons that can trigger onboard sounds or act as a programmable sequencer.
Following the drum section, there is a synth section with level controls for three tracks: Synth 1, Synth 2, and DX. Additional buttons enable the input of melodies, which can be set to different scales or chord values using encoders in the next section. Moreover, it is possible to configure the drum section buttons to function as a full keyboard for chromatic playing or to play the synths externally from a MIDI keyboard.
Furthermore, each device’s tracks can be further adjusted using the included Seqtrak app for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. This app offers a range of editing tools, envelopes, filters, and effects.
Connectivity/Ports
The device features three 3.5mm mini-jack sockets on its side. They provide a stereo headphone output, a stereo audio input, and a MIDI input or output. The device also has a USB-C socket for audio and MIDI connectivity with a computer. Additionally, it supports MIDI via Bluetooth and has Wi-Fi connectivity for transferring WAV files without cables.
It is powered via USB-C and has an onboard rechargeable battery, providing three to four hours of continuous use on a full charge (charging time is three to five hours). We recommend you slip it in your backpack and keep it on you at all times when creativity strikes.
Download The Firmware Here
Performance, Sampling, and FX
A library of onboard sounds is provided, with over 2000 presets covering everything from pianos and synths to drum hits. A built-in sampler can capture external sources using the built-in mic or stereo audio input for those who want to add their content.
There’s also a good selection of included effects, such as reverb, delay, compressor, distortion, modulation effects, and more. You have more than enough sounds and functionality onboard to sketch out entire tracks and never run out of ideas, and sometimes, having a limited number of onboard sounds helps you get more creative anyway.
In addition to its creation-focused features, Seqtrak includes functions designed for performance. Its sequencer offers a range of tempo and swing settings, and a Tracks and Patterns system makes it easy to create alternative arrangements and remixes in real-time.
So, whether you are adding it to a DJ or Live set, this device can be a powerful tool on stage if you master it.
Last Little Bits
If you are a producer looking for a comprehensive creation and performance tool that can go anywhere, the Seqtrak might be calling your name. Suppose you like getting off your computer screen, using tactile controls, and occasionally flipping around your workflow. In that case, this is one of the best pieces of gear on the market, with one of the smallest form factors and comprehensive feature sets.
Rating 4.5/5 Stars
Pros:
- Small form factor, lightweight, and easy to take with you
- Everything you need to create a full track
- Great for performance, creating on the go, and a fun addition to any studio for those who like tactile controls
- Onboard battery
Cons
- The speaker should have been left off; it’s worthless, and it is better just to use headphones.
- The learning curve might be difficult for those used to menu-diving types of UI
The Seqtrak is available for a new lower price of $399, down from $599.
Features
- 16 touch-sensitive pads for beat creation and live performance
- Over 700 sounds and loops covering a wide range of musical genres
- Step sequencer with 16 steps for programming drum beats and melodic sequences
- Sampling functionality to record and manipulate sounds
Specs
- Type: Mobile Music Ideastation, Orange/Gray
- Internal Sound Engine: Advanced Wave Memory 2 (AWM2), 4-operator FM Engine
- Pads: 24 x Pads
- Other Controllers: 17 x Encoder Knobs
- Presets: 2000+
- Polyphony: 128-note
- Sequencer: Yes, Advanced
- Sampling: Yes
- Effects: Reverb, Delay, Distortion
- Analog Inputs: 1 x 1/8″
- Headphones: 1 x 1/8″
- MIDI I/O: 1 x 1/8″ In/Out (breakout cable included)
- USB: 1 x USB-C (power, audio, MIDI)
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Software: SEQTRAK App
- Power Source: Rechargeable Battery (built-in), USB Power
- Height: 1.5″
- Width: 13.5″
- Depth: 3.8″
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
Ever since I was a little kid, I have been obsessed with media. It sounds strange, I know. When I was just 9-years-old, I created a newspaper and offered my mother the job of editor, which she happily accepted. Distribution was small but that didn’t deter me—I had the Citizen Kane virus. And then at age 23, I started another publication called BPM CULTURE Magazine (eventually dropping the word "Culture"), which evolved into a media company called Overamerica Media Group. I found myself in the media business because I love sharing information—telling great stories, sharing ideas and most importantly, informing people about great music! Like most ‘creative types,’ I dabbled in just about everything—from DJing, to producing, and even to creating a record label. And my list of other interests (hobbies) goes on and on; I will leave that for my autobiography. After Overamerica, I spent some time on the client side in fashion, then consulting for various start-ups, only to lead me back to where I started—a start-up media company. It all happened over dinner one night, a friend said why don’t you start up another magazine about EDM—Magnetic was born.
