Terrarum Pulseq
MIDI Sequencer
Pulseq app icon

Pulseq

A multi-stage MIDI sequencer with up to 16 stages, each setting its own note, velocity, gate behavior, and length. Add scale quantization, MIDI CC modulation, and split-mode sequencing, then arrange everything with scenes and a chain. Runs as an AUv3 MIDI effect in your host, and standalone.

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Quick Start

  1. Set the scale: Choose a scale and root note to constrain notes to a musical key.
  2. Configure stages: Tap a stage to edit its note, velocity, step count, and gate mode.
  3. Choose gate modes: Single for one trigger per stage, Multi for repeats, or Prog for a pattern you draw.
  4. Shape the timing: Add swing for groove, then expand Cycle Map to see pattern restarts against musical bars.
  5. Try split modes: Serial to alternate lanes A and B by repeat counts, or Parallel to run both at once on two MIDI channels.
  6. Build with scenes: Capture setups into the 16 scene slots, then chain them in the Chain editor to arrange a full track.
Tip: Pulseq outputs MIDI only — route it to a synth. In standalone, choose a MIDI route first; if it is missing, a recovery screen offers Retry MIDI Setup.

What Makes Pulseq Different

Stages
Up to 16, each with note, velocity, gate behavior, and length in pulses
Gate modes
9 modes — Off, Single, Multi, Multi/2-4, Probability, Long, and Programmable
Modulation
Up to 8 MIDI CC lanes; a dash means Don't Send
Pitch
17 scales, root selection, and Snap Notes to Scale
Split modes
None, Serial (A then B by repeats), or Parallel on two MIDI channels
Motion
Forward, Ping-Pong, Random, and Fixed Length play modes
Arrangement
16 scene slots and a Chain editor for full-track arrangement

Usage Notes

Runs as
AUv3 MIDI effect in a host, or standalone
Output
MIDI only (no audio output)
Best hosts
AUM, Drambo, Logic Pro, GarageBand
Standalone tempo
Internal clock, 20 to 300 BPM
Clock
Pulse value 1 to 1/32, with triplet and dotted options
Apply changes
Immediate, Next Pulse, or Next Bar

Common Questions

  • No sound: Check the top-bar MIDI output status first. In standalone, a recovery screen appears if the route is missing — reconnect it, choose another, or tap Retry MIDI Setup. Then confirm the MIDI channel matches and that stages are not set to Off.
  • Notes sound wrong: Check Scale and Root, then the raw stage notes.
  • Timing feels off: Check Clock before Swing — most timing confusion starts there.
  • Notes hang: Open Settings, expand Panic, and tap Panic to send note cleanup and reset the transport.
  • Pattern too dense or sparse: Adjust Multi usage, stage lengths, and gate probability.
  • Reporting a problem: In-app Help has Report a Problem — Copy or Share a JSON snapshot of transport, routing, and settings to make a bug reproducible.