Torso Electronics T-1 Algorithmic Sequencer: Now Available at Thomann
4,9 / 5,0 | 
Torso Electronics T-1: Firmware update brings per-step editing · Source: Torso Electronics
The Torso Electronics T-1 is one of the most exciting and inspiring hardware sequencers available today. Now you can order it from Thomann!
[23 October 2024] Great news: Thomann has just added the products by Danish boutique manufacturer Torso Electronics to its catalog. This means that you can now order the awesome T-1 algorithmic sequencer and matching accessories directly from Europe’s largest musical instrument retailer*.
Torso Electronics T-1 Firmware Update: Now with per-step editing!
[12 December 2022] The Torso Electronics T-1 algorithmic sequencer just got a whole lot better! A new firmware update introduces many exciting new features, such as per-step editing, MIDI FX tracks, and more.
Torso Electronics T-1 firmware 2.0
Torso Electronics has released a major firmware update for the T-1 sequencer. The manufacturer says that the update was developed in close collaboration with the user community, so we can expect some new features that were high up on many users’ wishlists.
The most exciting new addition to the generative hardware sequencer is without a doubt per-step editing. Torso Electronics says that you can now edit all algorithms and lock parameters per step, which is a massive improvement. By editing things like the voicing, random amount, pitch, and note division per step, you can now create a lot more variation in your patterns. Great stuff!
Furthermore, the Torso Electronics T-1 firmware update 2.0 includes new FX tracks. These turn the sequencer into a real-time MIDI effect processor that lets you apply the generative algorithms to incoming MIDI notes. Effectively, this means that you can use the T-1 as an external arpeggiator, MIDI looper, and generative effect for anything you play on a keyboard in real-time. That sounds like an easy way to jump-start your creativity and come up with one-of-a-kind performances.
In addition to this, the new firmware includes a bunch of other new features like new modulation behaviors, cycle looping, a new Quick View for editing parameters, new track routing options, multi-channel tracks, and more. The T-1 was already a great little creative machine, and with these new features, it’s just become even better!
T-1: fluid algorithmic polyrhythmic MIDI sequencer now on Kickstarter
[08 June 2020 / Robin Vincent] The Torso Electronics T-1 MIDI sequencer is now on Kickstarter and hit 100% funding within minutes of going live. The approach of this little box has captured our imagination.
Goal!
We first saw the Torso T-1 just before Christmas and it looked like a fascinating project. It looked good and sounded very interesting but without a price or release date, it was difficult to know exactly what it was offering. Well, now we know. The price is about £418 (the cheaper Early Birds have all gone) and should ship in December. At the time of writing, they’ve taken twice their goal of £19,000 with 106 backers. That’s very impressive and clearly this hardware sequencer is in demand.
T-1
So what is it all about? The T-1 is a hardware sequencer that bases its pattern and melody generation on musically relevant algorithms. So it’s less about programming steps and more about guiding and tweaking patterns generated by the machine.
With the twist of a knob you can create Euclidean rhythms and arpeggiating structures and control parameters on multiple tracks simultaneously. You can push melodies about, lock in scales and add modulation to every parameter on every track. There are 16 tracks covering the 16 MIDI channels that come out the back on the single MIDI output.
These sorts of ideas are often found in Eurorack modules where musical frameworks are often built around the accidental discovery of melody through pattern generation and algorithmic firing of CV and pulses. To see them in a hardware unit opens these ideas up to a wider base of users. It helps you move past the blank page syndrome of the DAW or regular step sequencers and gets you making and sculpting music in a very fluid workflow.
It’s not all just automatic generation though, the patterns are based upon and taken from the notes you enter so it’s more of a collaboration than an automatic music-making machine.
It’s a beautiful box, packed full of potential and has got to be a great companion to jamming, exploring and enjoying your hardware synths and boxes of noise. Shame there’s no CV in there at all.
Price and availability
The Torso Electronics T-1 is available now for €599. The firmware update 2.0 is free for all owners of the T-1.
More information about the Torso Electronics T-1
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