Toneworks Catalyst €79 PC MAC

Bored of programming via the piano roll? Try jazzing up your riffs with this inventive step sequencer that can host VST instruments

Danish company Toneworks brings a fresh take on the humble step sequencer with its first product release, Catalyst. It's a flexible programming tool with a 32-step sequencer, harmonizer, and arpeggiator. However, its unique trick is the ability to host VST or AU instrument plugins, thus saving time with MIDI routing headaches. You can also sequence synth parameters directly in the plugin, leading to some complex and intricate-sounding patterns.

The first thing to do when you load Catalyst, is to scan your plugin folder for VST/AU instruments. Once fully scanned, you can select the Synth Plugin page and choose an instrument from the list. We opened an instance of u-he's Diva, which filled the lower portion of the GUI and didn't quite fit our screen. Thankfully you can resize the GUI, from 40% to 150%.

The next step is to choose a root note and key to work in. Options include major/minor, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian and Mixolydian modes, and harmonic and melodic major and minor. You can now draw in some notes in the Sequencer module. Rather than semitones, the note divisions are degrees of the scale, so anything you input stays in key. You also have sequencer lanes for velocity and gate time, and buttons along the bottom to select if a note is played or not. All four rows have a randomise button on the left, with the ability to select a maximum/ minimum range for more controlled results.

Sequence and ye shall find