Steinberg Sequel 3

Designed to meet the needs of entry-level computer music enthusiasts, Sequel 3 is an easy-to-use music software application for recording, editing and mixing. Its instruments and effects, plus the included arranging and performance features, turn Windows and Mac computers into streamlined production studios that cater ideally to the user's degree of sophistication.

For anyone interested in getting to know the ropes of computer music production, Sequel 3 is the ideal tool to start out on this endeavor. Providing versatility through its feature set and high-quality content as well as intuitiveness owing to its one-window design make Sequel 3 the all-in-one solution for songwriters, composers and producers of different music styles.

Sequel 3 includes more than 5,000 high-quality loops and sounds of various music styles, which are easily accessible through Steinberg's MediaBay media management tool. With an additional 500+ workstation sounds, the HALion Sonic SE plug-in rounds out the quality content included in Sequel.

The Performance Mode turns Sequel 3 into a live tool for creating impromptu arrangements and live mixes by triggering the 24 live performance pads with song sections and variations.

Sequel's one-click tempo detection is a great tool when it comes to working with rhythms of varying tempos. In Performance Mode, this feature can be used for creating remixes.

Another highlight is the VST Amp Rack SE virtual effect board. Its more than 120 presets comprise combinations of amps, speaker cabinets and effects pedals, delivering a collection of various guitar sounds.

With the enhanced Controller Learn feature, it's possible to connect virtually any MIDI controller to Sequel 3, making MIDI setups easier and less time consuming.

AudioWarp includes the élastique Pro engine by zplane for high-quality time-stretching and pitch-shifting to adjust tempo and tone in stunning audio quality.

In its third incarnation, Sequel is now featuring multi-take recording. MIDI and audio can be recorded over and over again. The best take is picked from the list of recorded takes when in Take Mode.

Another new feature is the Step Envelopes Editor which allows the user to add effects to selected parts of the audio material. Reverse, decay or pitch effects are only a few of the many adjustments users can easily make to their productions.

Sequel's Beat Page is a dedicated area for creating intricate rhythmical patterns. Here the users find Groove Agent ONE, a powerful drum sampler with over 60 drum kits, and the step sequencing Beat Designer tool.

Sequel 3 supports VST 3, the third version of Steinberg's Virtual Studio Technology. This allows third-party effect and instrument plug-ins to be integrated easily into Sequel 3.

Features at a glance:

• More than 5,000 high-quality loops and sounds.

• MediaBay media management tool.

• HALion Sonic SE with over 500 workstation sounds.

• Performance Mode with 24 live performance pads.

• One-click tempo detection.

• VST Amp Rack SE amp simulator.

• Controller Learn editor.

• Multi-take recording.

• AudioWarp with élastique Pro.

• Step Envelopes.

• Beat Page with Groove Agent ONE and Beat Designer.

• VST 3 support and cross-platform compatibility with Windows and Mac OS X.