B-Step Sequencer

B-Step Sequencer is a multitrack software MIDI step sequencer that is available as either a standalone application or in audio plug-in format. Primarily used to create melodical sequences to trigger soft or hardware synthesizer, whether in a studio environment or live on stage, it has a user interface based on pattern and TR music sequencers.

WWW b-step.monoplugs.com

History

The first version of B-Step Sequencer, developed by the German company Monoplugs, was released in December 2013 for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. In March 2014 Monoplugs released the B-Step Sequencer for iPad, providing the same functionality as for desktop computers. Version 2.0 was released in October 2014 with two new supported platforms: Android and Raspbian.

Features

B-Step Sequencer has a long list of features, including full MIDI and MIDI beat clock sync support, Sequencer Ratcheting, shuffle (swing), monophonic and polyphonic note playback modes.

User Interface

The user interface, which looks clean and is contrast rich, is designed for live performances without any need for a deep menu hierarchy. It shows all the important settings on the main interface and features drag and drop to copy settings on the fly.

Specification

16 steps per track
4 tracks per pattern
16 patterns
playback of up to 4 patterns at the same time
5x MIDI out for synthesizer control
sends and receives MIDI CC
2x MIDI in and out for Novation Launchpad controllers
1x MIDI in and out for trainable MIDI controllers
MIDI THRU
MIDI beat clock thru
1x MIDI in for MIDI beat clock sync

Editions

Standalone

B-Step Sequencer Standalone currently runs with recent versions of Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iPad, Android and Raspberry Pi.

VST Plug-in

As a VST plug-in B-Step Sequencer can be used in well-known VST hosts like Ableton Live, Cubase, Bitwig, REAPER or Renoise. The VST version is available for 32-bit and native 64-bit CPU architectures on Linux, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.

Audio Units Plug-in

On Mac OS X B-Step Sequencer can be run as an Audio Units plug-in in Audio Units hosts like Logic Pro.

Versions

B-Step Sequencer is available as either a trial (demo) or a commercial version. The trial version excludes saving of user projects and is time limited to 30 minutes. After application restart or unloading it in the plug-in host it is possible to use it again for 30 minutes. The commercial version is not time limited and it has the project save feature available.

Support

Support for B-Step Sequencer is provided through a HTML user manual. Users may also register for the official Monoplugs forum or contact Monoplugs directly.