Sequencer

Genome sequencing can determine whether a patient’s illness is genetic, but results usually take weeks. A new ultra-rapid technique can sequence a person’s genome and diagnose genetic diseases in just a few hours, earning it a Guinness World Record.

Scientists have sequenced the genome of a “living fossil” from the time our ancestors first crawled out of the oceans. The Australian lungfish genome is the largest of any animal sequenced so far, revealing it to be our closest living fish relative.

After a brief online teaser campaign, Poland's Polyend – the same firm responsible for the mesmerizing Perc percussion system from 2016 – has revealed a new music production machine called the Tracker.

​Instrument modder Frank Piesik has combined 3D printing, electronic hackery and touch sensing to create the ElektroCaster that bridges the gap between traditional guitars like a Telecaster and full-on electronic sound makers like the (no longer in production) Kitara.​

​Teenage Engineering has been working on a stand-alone synthesizer and composer you can fit in your inside pocket for a few years now. The OP-Z has now been officially revealed, and is reported to be the first 16-track sequencer that allows for the live composition of music, visuals and lights.​

Hackspace tinkerer Koka Nikoladze has built an impressive electromechanical monophonic step sequencer called the BlinkWheel. The looped sounds are triggered when a rotating arm comes into contact with LEDs spaced out around the upper disc.

For the last few months, Synthstrom Audible has been showing off a new portable sequencer, synth and sampler at a small number of demonstrations in Wellington and Auckland. With prototyping now in the rear view mirror, the company has announced that the Deluge will go up for pre-order next month.

Bringing together different music creation modules and putting them into a single unit isn't exactly a new idea. But where many are essentially geared towards the solo performer, the Duo from Dato works best when two pairs of hands take control.

After building a controller, synth, sequencer and learning system around a novel musical note arrangement, French startup Dualo started shipping the intriguing du-touch late in 2014. Now the company is set to hit crowdfunding platform Kickstarter to bring a smaller version to life – the du-touch S.

Zoom has revealed a futuristic electronic tambourine at this year's Winter NAMM. The ARQ Aero RhythmTrak is described as a drum machine, sequencer, synthesizer, looper, and MIDI controller, and features a Bluetooth-enabled ring for music creation and playback control from movement.

Almost 6 years after introducing what was to become the Kitara digital guitar, Misa Digital has launched an alternative take on the step sequencer. The NSC-32 is described as a "live sequencer" that allows users to quickly switch note patterns and manipulate them on a grid.

Sweden's Teenage Engineering, best known for its versatile but pricey OP-1 synthesizer (which starts at US$849.00), has unveiled a line of three new synths dubbed Pocket Operator. The pocketable instruments will set you back just $59 when they launch.