Why are hardware sequencers so terrible?
I think it's a joke that in 2024 if you want a hardware sequencer one of the best around is Arturia's Keystep Pro. $500 for a fucking four track sequencer. What is this the 80s? You could buy a basic sequencer like that for the same price 40 fucking years ago. Technology has moved on way past that. Why only four tracks? Why is it so limited? It's only MIDI data for fucks sake. It should be at least 16 tracks.
I don't like DIY or programming but I will have to figure it out and make my own mini pc hardware sequencer. Will probably avoid all programming and DIY and put together some frankenstein type thing combining different midi controllers and software solutions into a mini pc with a touch screen, drum pads, extra buttons or keyboard or whatever until I have something that is actually good.
Edit: People are directing me to some good sequencers. The reason I missed most of em is because I don't spend more than 200 dollars on gear, most of mine costs even less than that. Spending 500 or 800 or even 1500 dollars on a sequencer when my most expensive keyboard costs 200 is absolutely crazy. Also when you consider the cost of a computer vs a sequencer.... lol. I didn't expect to have to pay so much for a small device that sends midi messages.
Also I live in Mexico and most of those brands people are mentioning are too small to be distributed worldwide. I knew about Elektron and MPCs obviously but those are way more advanced than what I'm looking for, and definitely more than just a MIDI sequencer. Finally, there's not much of a used market where I live, so for my budget and lack of used equipment available. I have to focus on the larger brands that can afford to sell things cheaper.