Wusik offers the Wusik SQ200 ($49.95 value) sequencer as a free download from their website for a limited time only.
Wusik SQ200 is a hardware-style virtual step sequencer. It can operate as a standalone application or as a VST, VST3, and AU plugin in all compatible hosts on PC and Mac (no macOS Catalina support).
See also: Free Recording SoftwareThe developer describes Wusik SQ200 as a complete digital audio workstation due to the software’s ability to host VST/AU plugins and record musical sequences.
Wusik SQ200 is certainly not as complex as a real DAW like Waveform Free or Cakewalk. That said, it can work as the digital audio workstation of choice for simple virtual instrument-based projects.
The sequencer is oriented vertically, with a virtual piano roll on top. This is different from most current sequencers, which are predominantly horizontal. Still, vertical MIDI sequencers a not that uncommon, especially if we consider trackers like Renoise and OpenMPT.
Wusik SQ200 is optimized for use with multi-core processors and it uses very few CPU resources. In addition to the sequencer, it features a built-in compressor with sidechain support.
The loaded plugins can be processed with up to eight insert effects. It generally seems that Wusik SQ200 is intended primarily as a lightweight hardware-style sequencer for live use.
The interface boasts a modern-looking design and an intuitive control layout. The sequencer panel occupies the largest section of the GUI real estate, followed by the virtual piano keys and the control knobs. The drop-down menu shows advanced controls and settings.
It’s also worth noting that Wusik SQ200’s interface is freely resizable and includes additional skins. That said, the default skin seems to be the best-looking one.
Using Wusik SQ200 (retro skin) as a plugin in Studio One.
I briefly tested Wusik SQ200 as a standalone app and as a plugin it Studio One. The software seems promising, although I’m not sure why I’d opt to use it instead of the sequencer that already comes with a DAW.
If you’re using Wusik SQ200 as part of your music production workflow, please leave a comment sharing your experience with the software.
Wusik SQ200 is typically priced at $49.95, and you can download it for free for a limited time only. A valid email address is required to complete the free checkout process on Wusik’s website.
More info: Wusik SQ200 (63 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST/VST3/AU and standalone for Windows & macOS)
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4 Comments
Tomislav Zlatic
onThanks to BPB readers W. Yee, Numanoid, and Milkiwae for the info about this freebie!
Joseph Burt
onThank you for sharing this!
Rodrigo
onI haven’t tried it yet, but sequencers like this one reminds me – and makes more sense as – the 1990’s hardware setups (midi seq → synth modules → fx modules) of Orbital, FSOL etc. I can’t find any use with a modern DAW and its approach record/edit/mixdown. By the way I guess it couldn’t be compared to those ones in terms of purpose.
I’m quite curious and I’ll give it a try anyway, side by side with my old but good pair of Alesis MMT-8 to feed a Cantabile.
RedBaron7
onGreetings Tomislav, great work! One query for you in relation to Wusik SQ200.
The developer states “no macOS Catalina support”. Does this mean the plugin will not work under Catalina or will it be unstable as per beta status? Alternatively, is the developer advising customers not to contact for technical/compatibility issues?