WordGarden.iosequencer
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈiːkwənsə/
US
Meanings
Noun
an electronic instrument, device, or software tool that records and plays back ordered musical events
a laboratory machine that determines the order of bases in DNA, RNA, or similar molecules
Beyond the definition
A sequencer isn't just about lining things up - it's about controlling the order in which things happen. Think of a film editor arranging scenes or a cook getting ingredients ready before the meal starts. In music, a sequencer is a device or software program that records and plays back musical notes, helping musicians build songs by controlling timing and order. But it isn't limited to music. The same idea appears in machines and lab tools, where steps must happen in the right order.
Imagine building with Lego bricks: you don't just throw all the pieces together at once; you follow steps to make something that works. A sequencer is like the system that makes sure those steps happen in the right order.
A sequencer is a device or program that arranges events in a specific order and often controls their timing. While it's most commonly associated with music production, the concept extends far beyond melodies and rhythms.
In its musical form, a sequencer allows composers to record notes, chords, and other musical data, and then play them back in a predetermined sequence. This enables complex arrangements that would be difficult or impossible to perform live. Early sequencers were hardware-based machines, but today they are often software programs running on computers. Think of the building blocks of electronic dance music—much of it is built using sequenced patterns!
However, "sequencer" isn't limited to sound. In biology, a DNA sequencer reads the order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule. In manufacturing and automation, a sequencer can control when each step in a process happens and what comes next. In computing and electronics, the word can also refer to a part of a system that makes actions run in the correct order.
The core idea behind all these applications is the same: taking a series of elements and arranging them according to a defined plan. It's about precision, control, and bringing order to complexity. So whether you're composing a symphony, decoding genetic information, or building a car, a sequencer helps ensure everything happens in the right order at the right time.
Examples
- 1
Music production
She used a sequencer to build the drum pattern before recording the vocals.
- Domain
in music, a sequencer is software or hardware that records and plays notes in order
- 2
Synth loops
This synth has its own step sequencer, so you can create a loop without a computer.
- Phrasestep sequencer
one that lets you enter notes one step at a time
- 3
Genetic analysis
The lab sent the sample to a DNA sequencer for analysis.
- DomainDNA sequencer
a machine that reads genetic information
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- MIDI recorder
- pattern editor
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- step sequencer
- MIDI sequencer
- drum sequencer
- hardware sequencer
Word family
Explore
- digital audio workstation
- automation
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sequencernoun
Forms
- sequencerspluralnoun