Looking at the panel one would guess right off "MIDI2CV", and you'd be right, that's how the module was conceived originally. But it grew into a wonderful multi-track MIDI sequencer and recording module within weeks, so much so that the processor had to be upgraded 8X and the memory capacity quadrupled, then doubled again!

The noticeable lack of buttons on the panel keep it small and simple. The buttons are on-screen to scroll to. Some expand into more buttons while others can be used to access lists or settings. This prevents any real "menu-diving" although the editors have their own buttons with settings which is hard to stay away from in a module this capable. These buttons can be re-arranged or removed to your liking so the module can be simpler if you don't want certain features.

Clocking

One thing that really makes the Sequarallel shine is it's sync-ability with the real world turning MIDI into clocks and clocks into MIDI, all while sequencing multiple streams reliably. One clock input can step, with various divisions or multiplications, up to 5 trackers, MIDI Song Loops, added layers, and a Play List arranger seamlessly. Or a MIDI clock, 24 or 96 PPQN, can do the same to sync with your other hardware plus produce a clock output for the skiff. Internal Swing can be added, up to 90%!

CV I/O

The 4 CV output rows are by default MIDI note to Gate, CV & Velocity outputs. Each CV out can be accurately auto-tuned to each of your VCO's, and each jack has 8 memories for VCO's and their names to select from. No more tuning!
The CV and Vel outputs can of course be assigned to other things like MIDI CC's, Pitch Bend, envelope outputs (there are 4 triggerable envelopes) along with the CC5 & CC6 jacks. CC5 & CC6 are bidirectional so can be used as inputs to MIDI or various internal sequencer controls. Also the Clock output, if never used, can be a CV input in a pinch.

Tracker Sequencers

The 5 trackers have a great recording system in place which, with a controller, is similar to a desk top rhythm box. As the tracker progresses through it's cycle, up to 64 steps, recorded steps can be written over, deleted, stacked, cycled, or just used to change pitches in the sequence without affecting their positions or FX. There is an instant recall / save to clipboard as well.
All of the tracker record controls can be assigned notes themselves so the process becomes remote controlled via your favorite controller.

The 4-lane trackers have single-note pointers to 1 of 8 "Note-Fx" that have cool things like curved chop, transposed echo, fine tune, pan, instrument, CC and glide control, with randomization, mask sub-sequencer, and probability, making them powerful in a simple way. Each individual note in a step can have it's own length, velocity, and delay, modifiable singly or en mass in the TRAX Editor.

If all of this isn't enough, each of the 5 trackers has up to 8 sequences (A to H) that copy previous tracker settings like MIDI channel, CV outputs, clock rate, etc. as created, but can have all new FX applied. That's up to 40 tracker sequences available within one Song project!
These 40 can be plugged into the Play List arranger, together or in groups, to make a song.

Recording a Song

Another great feature, which is rather DAW-like, is the ability to play an entire MIDI song. The song can be recorded in from a DAW or other source, and arranged into Loops to use in your project. There is a vast database of MIDI songs online and it's not an actual recording so recording it and twisting it into some thing else using the Sequarallel is easy, and there's no royalties!
Once the song is playing, various FX like note mirroring, length, time quantizing, scale quantizing, and an FX sub-sequencer can be used to change the song loops into whatever you like without the hard work of coming up with a catchy rhythm or phrase.
I have personally spent hours on one 2 bar loop, masking various FX and re-triggering notes with the sub-sequencer, offsetting the timing etc. Song FX is a whole world of fun believe me!

Layering

One more thing that wraps up the Sequarallel with a big red bow is the Layers recording section. Up to 8 layers per button of you tapping out beats or playing in a riff on the piano, all in sync, all perfectly looping. There are up to 4 independent Layer buttons to record to, each with remote "kill last".
Because Layer buttons have an "Append" option, shorter loops can be doubled by simply continuing to play past the loop. The record can remain on and only uses memory when a loop has MIDI in it.

What's really amazing is groups of Layers can be arranged in a Step Sequencer so some Layers can be used on one step, while others not. Steps can be any number of measures long and even have no Layers to act as a pause.

In addition, each step can have it's own FX modifiers like group solo, transpose and velocity, note re-triggering or take-over from Song Loop's FX. This feature is musically powerful yet easy to manage!

The Playlist

There are quite a few other features such as envelopes, pattern FX, Live Automation, and extensive remote control of all 15 tracks in the play list arranger, but they're way beyond the scope of this feature article , so I'll just focus on the Play List itself.
Patterns are placed into the Play List as created or added by you as the project progresses. If there is a group of patterns over steps in the Play List, then an empty step row, the tracks and patterns will loop within that group. Cueing the next group will jump all patterns to there.

With this method several variations and orders of patterns can be grouped to be armed to play manually, by the track, remotely, or by conditional blocks inserted between patterns. Basically an entire composition can be made this way, similar to a DAW but not just sequentially. In a way, along with track mutes and soloing, one feels like a DJ cueing up tracks, and the Play list can be used this way.

Last word...

How complex the project becomes is up to you. Some may use the Sequarallel to record in a few riffs and sequence them to VCO's, while others may want to carefully put together nice tracker sequences honing each note to perfection, and yet others may just want to control their MIDI synths in strange and new ways, then save it.
- It's up to you, then Sequarallel awaits your imagination!
For a mere $250, you can make it yours.                                          Sandy Sims*(designer)

For more info on the Accord Sequarallel, click here