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More than an arpeggiator, Thesys is a powerful step sequencer that can literally paint dynamic riffs and arpeggios. The sequencer is simple and straightforward to use, with five sequence panes that let you create and manipulate patterns. 10 Best Sequencer Software Plugins – VST Plugins Let’s get your grooves on point with the best sequencer software plugins for music production. We’ve honed down a giant collection of sequencers, and now present to you 10 of which we’re certain will make you happy. Blip1000 is a MIDI sequencer VST plugin. It plays mono- or polyphonic sequences depending on the selected notes and the enabled trigger buttons. Host sync with different speeds.

Last Updated on December 15, 2020 by

Step Sequencers are fun and also very useful plugins, butthere are also a lot to choose from, which makes it harder to decide on whichone to get.

In this article I will list the 8 best commercial sequencer plugins I found that also sound great.

Let’s get started…

The 8 best Sequencer VST/AU plugins

1. Playbeat by Audiomodern (Windows, Mac)
2. Inertia by Sinevibes (Mac only)
3. Consequence by Sugar Vibes (Windows, Mac)
4. Riffer Generator by AudioModern (Windows, Mac)
5. Switch by Sinevibes (Mac Only)
6. Array by Sinevibes (Mac Only)
7. Sequential by Sinevibes (Mac Only)
8. Thesys by Sugar Bytes (Windows, Mac)

Playbeat by Audiomodern (Windows, Mac)

Playbeat is a Creative Groove Randomizer plugin that generates unique beats and patterns for you.

Unlike an ordinary stepsequencer, Playbeat creates patterns using algorithmic and random proceduresfor generating notes by combining Steps, Pitch, Volume and more.

You can drag-n-drop your own sounds and generate up to fourpatterns simultaneously to get Polyrhythms.

The user interface is super intuitive and it really makesthe workflow fast and simple.

Features

• Generate Random Grooves
• Syncs to Host tempo
• Infinity Mode for Each Channel
• Number of notes generated
• Advanced Probability Engine
• Load or Drag -n- Drop any Sample
• MIDI Controllable
• …and more!

Find out more about Playbeat here.

Related: You might also be interested in a list about the best Synth VST/AU plugins available.

Inertia by Sinevibes (Mac only)

Inertia is based on a sequencer that runs in precise sync with the host transport, triggering up to 32 envelope generators one after another.

It features loads of envelope types, as well as variabletiming and shape parameters.

This means that Inertia is capable of creating a plethora oflevel modulation effects; from rhythmic tremolo, pumping and gating to reallyintricate riffs, chopping and stuttering.

When looking at the interface you’ll see that it displays audiowaveforms and aligns its sequencer graphics with it.

Since everything is color coded and even has some animationsto it, Inertia ends up being pretty easy to use.

Important note: Inertia is Mac only.

Features

• Sequencer with up to 32 steps, variableduration, division and swing ratio
• Multi-envelope generator offering 11 envelopetypes, variable time and lag
• Live input audio waveform and fluid sequencergraphics visually matched to it
• Support for multi-touch gestures and force touchon compatible trackpad devices

Find out more about Inertia here.

Are you looking for drum VST Plugins? Here’s a link about the best ones I could find.

Consequence by Sugar Vibes (Windows, Mac)

Consequence is an arpeggiator that creates a sequence of notes based on the chords that you provide.

Up to 3 instruments can be loaded up, and a vast number ofsequencing options can be used to control the way that the plugin“interprets” your input.

The chord sequencer is the centrepiece of this plugin,allowing you to choose from 16-chord “snapshots”.

The Modulation section is especially deep, offering separatepatterns for each of the synth parts, the filter and the effects.

The sample-based sound library contains all kinds ofinstruments – from analogue synths to subtle violins, each offering Octave,Pan, Level and Crush controls.

Features

• 3 Oscillators in a 32-Step Sequencer
• Easily creates complex sounds and rhythms
• Hundreds of natural sound samples
• Charming multi-effect section
• Individual Envelope per instrument
• Onboard 4/4 Kickdrum
• Polyphonic Triggers per Step
• MIDI Out

Find out more about Consequence here.

Related: Are you looking for FREE VST Plugins? Here’s a list of 225 of them!

Riffer Generator by AudioModern (Windows, Mac)

Riffer is a MIDI sequencer that generates random riffs for your sounds.

You can choose from 50+ scales, pattern complexity, steps,start and end points, set pitch, transpose, motion, measures and many more… Free distortion vst reddit.

Riffer allows you to generate fresh ideas, sequences,melodies, riffs and musical patterns and turn them into something of your ownor let it run endlessly using the infinity mode.

Features

• 53 scales list from Western to Eastern
• Fully customizable steps: set Pitch, Durationand Volume
• Start & End loop points
• Sustain & Tie notes
• Shuffle
• Export MIDI Using Drag and Drop
• Automatically generate sequences with theInfinity mode

Find out more about Riffer Generator here.

Related: Are you looking for the best Sampler VST/AU plugins? Here’s a list of them.

Switch by Sinevibes (Mac Only)

Switch is a flexible sequencer that runs in tight sync with your audio signal and controls a series of up to 32 gates with variable time and smoothness.

It’s a tool mostly designed for rhythmic audio gating thatis simple and versatile, capable of applying tremolo, gate, pumping and stutterpatterns on any kind of audio.

Switch displays a live audio waveform and aligns itssequencer graphics with it – exactly in the same way it’s done by the soundengine.

Every element in its user interface is color-coded andfeatures subtle animations, which makes the plugin easy to use.

Features

• Sequencer with up to 32 steps, variableduration, division and swing ratio
• Audio gate with variable duty time, lag andintensity
• Live input waveform with fluid sequencergraphics that visually match its timing
• Multiple utility functions for copying, loopingand shifting individual sequences or whole snapshots

Find out more about Switch here.

Array by Sinevibes (Mac Only)

Array is an effect for spectral animation.

It filters the incoming audio into eight separate bands andallows you to individually pass or mute them in a rhythmical fashion, whichessentially works as a gate in the frequency domain.

With macro controls for multiple parameters, Array is aquick and capable tool for all kinds of spectral effects like; morphed,stepped, strobed or glitched.

Array displays a live audio waveform on each filter band andallows to operate on it directly, giving you a true “what you see is what youget” workflow.

Features

• Sequencer with up to 32 steps, variableduration, division and swing ratio
• Eight -24 dB/octave filters each with its ownoutput gate sequence
• Support for multi-touch gestures and force touchon compatible trackpad devices

Find out more about Array here.

Sequential by Sinevibes (Mac Only)

Sequential is a dynamic multi-effect that allows you to trigger different processing and synthesis algorithms in a rhythmical fashion.

It features a total of 19 fine-tuned effects that filter,distort, reshape, stutter and even generate audio.

The sequencer has a vast number of timing and shapingadjustments, while the whole plugin stores 8 separate parameter snapshots thatcan be automated or switched in real time.

The interface looks clean and is very intuitive to use,which is always great!

Find out more about Sequential here.

Thesys by Sugar Bytes (Windows, Mac)

And last, but not least, Thesys.

Thesys is an impressive 32-step sequencer which comes with all the essential features.

The sequences can simply be painted, but with the randomgenerator and the mutate-function you can easily generate patterns on the fly,or record the pitch straight from your MIDI keyboard.

It comes with a built-in synthesizer which saves you a lotof time and allows you to generate new ideas right from the start.

Up to 16 full patterns can be created within a singleproject. They can be sequenced within the Pattern Sequencer or triggered viathe Keyboard.

This is my top choice for all the sequencers I just listedsimply because of how powerful and versatile it is.

Features

• Powerful 32-step MIDI Sequencer
• Pitch Recorder
• Choose and trigger Patterns per MIDI
• Pattern sequencer for longer passages
• Real-time Manipulation of the patterns perkeyboard
• Internal Synth
• Vast Randomizer
• Independent Loop lengths for all 5 sequencers
• 18 sequencer lanes
• MIDI Out and Drag ‘n’ Drop

Find out more about Thesys here.

You’ll need a MIDI Controller

In order to be able to use these plugins properly, you willneed some sort of MIDI Controller.

While you can use your, it’s a lot faster and easier to doit with a keyboard/controller.

My recommendation here is for you to get something like the M-Audio Oxygen 25 MK IV MIDI Controller which you can findat Amazon at a very affordable price, plus it comes with some extra softwarelike Pro Tools First.

Conclusion

Sequencers are not only useful but also fun!

Make sure to check out the ones I listed here, especiallyThesys, since they are all pretty good plugins!

I hope this information was useful!

Have a great day!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Sequencer?

In music production, a sequencer is a hardware or software device designed to record performance data and play it back in sequence, or in a specific order of events.

What do you do when you’re looking for cool ways to come up with unique bass lines, leads, and melodic motifs?

Use an arpeggiator.

The best arpeggiator VSTs are capable of so much more than just cranking out static, repeating lines.

If you haven’t looked into the capabilities of the current crop of arpeggiators yet, you are in for a treat!

So this post will take a look at some of the best arpeggiator plugins on the market.

Top Arpeggiator VST Plugins

1. Cthulhu by Xfer Records

Demo & Price

Cthulhu comes from the same maker of Serum, that beast of a synth. Likewise, “One Note Becomes Many” is the intriguing tagline that greets you at Cthulhu’s product page, and it does provide an accurate description of the capabilities of this unique plug-in. Is it an arpeggiator, an instrument, or an audio processor? Like the best arpeggiators, Cthulhu is all that and more.

What Cthulhu primarily does is transform inputted chords in many interesting ways. A versatile and easy to use tool, it encourages the creation of chord progressions and musical motifs that you wouldn’t have come up with otherwise.

Specs and useful features

Although Cthulhu does a great job as an arpeggiator, it is first and foremost a chord recorder/player. This function enables you to come up with plenty of interesting chord variations by pressing single keys on your keyboard. You can play chords right into the plug-in or import chords and progressions in MIDI format.

Cthulhu is equally capable as an arpeggiator, enabling you to transform notes and chords that you input into different rhythmic variations. With no less than eight tabs in the step sequencer, you have ample options for reshaping incoming notes. Even single note lines can result in complex and uniquely memorable riffs.

User impressions

You don’t a lot of musical knowledge to come up with complex and musically interesting motifs with Cthulhu. The chord memorization feature alone is well worth the price tag, and having a very capable arp onboard makes it an even better deal.

Literally dozens of interesting variations can spring forth from even the most basic note sequences. Whether as an idea generator or a way to reinvent tired, old melodic motifs, Cthulhu has the power to consistently surprise.

Bottom-line

A chord generator and arp rolled into one, Cthulhu is a powerful creative tool no matter how you look at it. If your creative well has run dry and you need a source of inspiration, this plug-in definitely gets the juices flowing.

2. Kirnu Cream by Arto Vaarala

Demo & Price

Kirnu Cream took the MIDI world by storm when it was released in 2013. The hype and speculation had been building up to a fever pitch for months before then, and the official release proved to be everything that everyone had hoped for and then some. Cascading arpeggios, sequenced patterns, and ear-catching chord memory progression–all these issued forth from the revolutionary plug-in, and there were many options for modulating the results as well.

Cream today remains largely unchanged from its initial version, which is a testament to its design and functional excellence. Whether used for arpeggiators, lead and bass lines, and even beats, Kirnu Cream is pretty much peerless.

Specs and useful features

Cream has several features that make it as suitable as a live instrument as a studio tool. The arpeggiator is what most people will probably be drawn to. But it also has one of the most powerful pattern sequencers around, with excellent chord memory features added to the mix. Pattern data can be selected and manipulated freely, with four tracks and loopable pattern controls. These features give the plug-in a great deal of flexibility for reimagining melodies and musical phrases.

Amazingly, Cream is very easy to learn and put into use. You didn’t have to dig too deeply into its inner workings to come up with cool motifs, although there is considerable power under the hood for more in-depth tweaking.

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User impressions

The many opportunities for direct interaction are what most users appreciate the most about Cream. It goes beyond the capabilities of most arpeggiators and pattern sequencers, producing musical and creative results with very little effort. Many users especially like the “arpeggio on note count” feature, which keeps the arpeggiator from starting up until a specific number of notes are played. This feature makes it possible to combine standard melody lines with arps in a musical manner.

Bottom-line

With so much power onboard, you would expect Cream to be difficult to use. While you will have to do a bit of fiddling around to unlock its full potential, this never gets in the way of its sheer power and capability.

3. Thesys by Sugar Bytes

Demo & Price

Sugar Bytes is known for its plug-ins that serve as creative instruments and unique audio and MIDI processors. Thesys is a prime example, covering many of the company’s strengths in an intriguing step sequencer that is also a pretty kick-ass arpeggiator.

Thesys utilizes the venerable–and still-popular–step-programming paradigm in enabling you to manipulate your music in various interesting ways. Whether for heading off into uncharted musical territory or simply breathing new life into tired, old material, Thesys provides a direct path to creative musical expression.

Specs and useful features

Unlike other plug-ins that lock you into a specific way of working, Thesys lets you work the way you want to work. You could paint in sequences with your mouse, which is a fast and intuitive way of working. If you prefer a more traditional approach, you could input notes from a MIDI keyboard. There is a built-in synthesizer for this purpose, letting you hear inputted notes and the resulting sequence without having to patch in a third-party synth plug-in.

The Randomizer is an especially useful feature, helping you avoid the predictability that often results from step-sequencers and arpeggiators. With this feature, you can come up with interesting variations of your melodic material or head off into wild and wonderful new directions.

The Velocity and Gate Sequencer sections are where you will likely do most of your tweaking. These sections let you finesse riffs and arpeggios into impressive musical phrases without a lot of fiddling around.

User impressions

Thesys delivers far more capabilities than your average arpeggiator plug-in. Users found it to be just as useful live as in a studio setting. This is one plug-in that cranks out more than what you put in, and many users find it a sheer joy for livening up drab MIDI passages.

Bottom-line

Thesys is more than just an arpeggiator or a step sequencer. It is practically a full-blown MIDI workstation, and its sheer power and flexibility will definitely win you over.

4. Consequence by Sugar Bytes

Demo & Price

Consequence is Sugar Bytes’ simpler offering in the arpeggiator category, but it is still pretty capable at transforming inputted notes in interesting new ways. It creates note sequences based on chords that you play in, with numerous options for interpreting the incoming data.

You can load up to three instruments into Consequence, each of which has its own envelope. You can play these instruments via the onboard 32-step sequencer and create very complex rhythms and textures pretty easily. There is even a multi-fx unit onboard for adding extra spice to your creations, and a four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern that helps you keep your grooves locked tight.

Specs and useful features

The chord sequencer is where most of the action takes place. Here, you could store up to 16 chord “snapshots”, and trigger them in any combination you please. The results are never static, with five sequencers enabling you to control various aspects of the groove. There is also a comprehensive modulation section that provides even more options for controlling the three synthesizer parts, the filter, and the FX unit.

As an arpeggiator, Consequence is about as versatile as they come. You can set each of the sequencer steps to “Arp”, “Chord”, “Octave”, or “Tie”, enabling you to go well beyond the capabilities of most arpeggiators. You can even control the play direction in various ways, which lets you create pretty impressive melodies from even the most basic motifs.

User impressions

Consequence strikes many users as a fun and inspirational alternative to most standard arpeggiators. It is especially appealing to those looking for a fresh and creative approach to coming up with melodic ideas. For many users, Consequence has proven value as a songwriting and production tool.

Bottom-line

Like most Sugar Bytes plug-ins, Consequence provides a unique way of working with source material. Even if you already have a well-spec’d arpeggiator in your arsenal, Consequence is still worth adding to the pile for its unique workflow.

5. Audiaire Nuxx

Demo & Price

On paper, Audiaire Nuxx looks pretty intriguing. Billed as a multi-FX processor with an onboard parameter sequencer, it seems like a handy solution for livening up static sounds and sequences. But digging deeper into its features reveals a very capable processing tool that can twist and warp audio in many creative ways.

Useful Features

Audiaire Nuxx essentially lets you modulate up to three parameters of six effects at a time via macro controls. There are 30 effects on-board, including compression, distortion, decimator, chorus, delay, flanger, two flavors of phasers, high, low, and band-pass filters, and more.

Nuxx has a slick and modernistic interface, with all the sections laid out clearly for ease of use. The GUI is scalable and comes with a variety of lane modification tools. The plug-in’s unique interface makes it easy to manipulate sounds quickly and easily and even perform detailed audio editing.

Nuxx can be set up to work as a simple effects unit, with the sequencer bypassed and hidden out of sight. But inputting different values into each step of the sequencer is what truly unlocks the plug-in’s sonic potential. With 27 lanes, independent sequence lengths, step mutes, swing, and probability controls, you have plenty of leeway to mangle your sounds.

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User Impression

Users love the sheer variety of sounds that are possible with Audiaire Nuxx. Although it works well enough as a filter and distortion unit to add warmth to cold digital tracks, it especially excels at creative modulations of the 30 effects processors. A potent sound-design tool, Nuxx is also useful for coming up with fresh and inventive ideas when inspiration runs dry.

Bottom-line

Audiaire Nuxx is a simple but surprisingly powerful audio processing tool. Ideally suited for creative sound design, it is made especially useful by the inclusion of some excellent effects with well-thought-out control over the most important parameters. Its onboard sequencer lets you cook up some outrageous and wacky sounds, from liquid filter burbles and rhythmic delays to wild pitch squeals and grinding distortion, and more. Not your garden-variety arpeggiator, Audiaire Nuxx is a hugely entertaining sound design tool.

Bonus Mention: Numerology 4 Pro by Five12

Info & Price

Numerology is something of a dark horse in the music production world, attracting an almost fanatical army of devotees. But it offers a totally different approach to idea generation, programming, and music production.

You could certainly use Numerology merely as an arpeggiator if you wish, even at this comparatively basic task. But its features makes it more of a complete music production solution than a mere arpeggiator plug-in.

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Specs and useful features

Numerology is essentially a modular system, providing several options for sequencing audio, MIDI, and even control voltage (CV) signals. The matrix sequencer is your ticket to arpeggios, although you could certainly use it for more subtly melodic material if that’s what you need.

One of the best things about Numerology is that you can modulate almost any parameter. Like an extremely well-spec’d synthesizer, you can route anything to almost anything else, in this case to compositional parameters.

Bottom-line

Numerology is a beast of a plugin. Perhaps it is a bit unfair to lump it in with ‘mere’ arpeggiator plug-ins, but it does such a great job at that role that we simply had to add it to the lineup.

About Arpeggiator VSTs

An arpeggiator is a feature found on many synthesizers, vintage and modern, hardware and software. Often referred to simply as an “arp”, it lets you play a string of notes via a single key press or a single played chord. Even when playing a relatively simple phrase, arpeggiators can produce complex and impressive melodies and repeating motifs.

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To learn more about what an arpeggio is, check out this Wikipedia entry.

Arpeggiators typically produce characteristic repetitive motifs that serve as the backbone for countless synth-based tracks. Used on such classic rock tracks as The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” and Pink Floyd’s “On the Run”, it is also the most recognizable element in Donna Summer’s seminal “I Feel Love”.

Vst Plugin Step Sequencer

In its simplest iteration, arpeggiators simply play back the individual notes of a chord in sequence. In older synths, arpeggiators provided the option to play the note sequence from high to low, low to high, and little else. Many modern arpeggiators provide many more options for setting play direction, note length, and more. With some of the arpeggiator plug-ins reviewed above–and some advanced arpeggiators on hardware synths–the results can be far removed from the typical robotic lines of a primitive arpeggiator.

Sequencer Vst Plugin

All arpeggiators are able to play back the notes in a held chord. But more advanced arpeggiators can store note patterns, and even chords, providing you with even more options to come up with fresh and inventive parts. Some even allow for layering of different arpeggio patterns, polyrhythms, and random triggering. When you add the capability to modulate the output in many different ways, there is no reason why arpeggiators should simply be relegated to churning out basic, repeating lines.

At the very least, you will want an arpeggiator that gives you a few different options for playing back notes. Extensive modulation options are also good to have, as is the ability to send the note data out as MIDI.