What are the benefits of using sequencer plugins in a DAW? Every now and then, these types of plugins are released. OK, I use VST drum machines, which are just that, plugins. But then I have to render each channel of them to a separate track in the DAW for mixing/mastering purposes.

 

Try Seqund. A pattern Sequencer is really not much different of a purpose as an arpeggiator. It just lets you make more custom patterns than a standard arp; but you can also create patterns for many different parameters like CC numbers, note data, and others.

It's just like the pattern sequencers in grooveboxes. But now they are making them more elaborate and they can control more than just one instrument because they are Midi Fx.

 

I'm more in favor of practice than theory, so take the self-test and look at them, and then simply install one or more.
Then you'll see things more clearly and also increase your practical experience.

Sugar Bytes
https://sugar-bytes.de
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HY-Plugins
https://hy-plugins.com
https://www.youtube.com/@hy-plugins7638

 

Im using often Element from Kushview and a sequencer is not included yet.
So i'm thankful for every sequencer plugin, arpeggiator, step sequencer or piano roll!

Mario Nieto Harmony Bloom
Toneworks Catalyst
Modalics EON Arp
ADSR Hexcel
MIDI Madness 3
K-Devices TATAT
Unison MIDI Wizard
WA Production Loop Engine 2
a.m.m.

But some needs a note trigger so these are useless for Element or use another plugin to trigger.
I'm still searching for a good and simple paino roll plugin!

I still hope anyone will porting Helio to a DAW compatible plugin format!

 

Last edited: Jun 10, 2025

With VST sequencers you can achieve results that are nearly impossible with standard DAW features, for exemple on a 3 lane step sequencer you can have each lane running at different speeds, one lane modulating another, running lanes in different directions etc..
Endless creativity.

 

Yeah, I suspected the special features might go far beyond DAW’s possibilities. Thanks. You inspired me.

 

exactly.

and then there is of course another difference to the rest of the DAW and that is that this all happens in realtime, you can save and copy presets around and all these things which you can do in a midi track editor.

midi generators are among the first plug-ins i´ve ever made and they really changed my workflow in cubase VST 4.x back then.

 

Last edited: Dec 28, 2025 at 12:09 AM

Are you asking what a sequencer does? Or are you asking what the benefit of a software (VST) based sequencer is over a hardware sequencer?

If the latter, convenience would probably be the first thing that would come to mind, price probably 2nd. You can very easily find free/cheap sequencers, and can have multiples controlling different FX or even different parameters in FX.

As far as sequencers I recommend, I could never say enough good about Stepic.. very powerful, has randomization in it, lets you control MIDI CC with it, locks to scales (if you want), among other things. It's crazy versatile and I haven't really needed anything else.