Cyclus 3

Back in 2007, this compact powerhouse hit the scene as a portable groovebox designed for electronic musicians who wanted pro-level sequencing without the bulk of a studio rig. Spectral Audio built it to deliver tight, hands-on pattern creation on the go, complete with a built-in filter for shaping sounds right from the sequencer.

At its core, the Cyclus 3 packs 112 patterns across 8 tracks each, letting you chain them into up to 30 songs with 80 steps of pattern changes and 1 to 32 loops per track for serious arrangement flexibility. It's fully digital with internal memory, a dedicated filter section for tonal sculpting, and intuitive knob-based controls including real-time parameter tweaks, all housed in a lightweight, battery-powered chassis—perfect for portable jamming or live sets. MIDI implementation ensures it syncs seamlessly with other gear, and hardware mods like auto power-off and backlight tweaks make it reliable for extended sessions.

Over the years, users have praised its rock-solid sequencing engine and portability, calling it a hidden gem for techno and IDM producers, though some note its discontinuation means it's now a sought-after vintage find on the secondhand market.