TAETRO Unleashes SEQTRAK 2.0: Groovebox Resurrection or Just Hype?

Nearly two years after TAETRO nearly binned the SEQTRAK, Yamaha’s dropped a 2.0 update that actually makes you want to dust the thing off. The SEQTRAK always had a killer sound engine, but now it’s got the firmware to match its sonic muscle. If you can get past the plastic build, this update is a proper game changer for anyone who wants more than just basic grooves.

The update doesn’t just tweak a few settings—it fundamentally boosts what this groovebox can do. More sounds at once, more flexibility, and a real sense that Yamaha’s listening to the users who want their gear to punch above its weight. It’s not just a firmware update; it’s a second chance for a box that was dangerously close to being forgotten.

The headline here is new track types: drum kit and synth track modes. Sounds simple, but it’s a big deal. Now, you can turn a single drum track into a full kit—seven drum sounds on one lane. That means you can finally stack your hi-hats, percussion, or whatever else you fancy, without burning through all your tracks like a pyromaniac at a fireworks factory.

But it doesn’t stop there. Synth track mode lets you convert those drum lanes into melodic tracks, so you’re no longer boxed in by the old two-synth limit. Want nine synths? Go wild. There’s a catch—only one DX engine, the rest are AWM2—but the creative doors are wide open. This is the kind of flexibility every groovebox should offer, but almost none do.

Yamaha’s thrown in some quality of life improvements that actually matter. Project backups now include user sounds, so you can do a full backup without losing your custom patches. It’s the sort of thing that should’ve been there from day one, but at least it’s here now.

TAETRO’s quick to point out that these tweaks make managing your projects and sounds a lot less painful. It’s not headline-grabbing stuff, but if you’re deep into sound design or gigging with the SEQTRAK, these little fixes are the difference between a smooth set and a gear-induced meltdown.

Here’s where things get spicy: the SEQTRAK app isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a proper extension of the groovebox. TAETRO admits he used to avoid the app, wanting to judge the hardware on its own, but the 2.0 update changed his mind. The app, available for both iOS and Android, acts as a controller, not a replacement. All the music-making still happens on the box, but the app lets you dodge the button-combo memory game and get straight to the fun.

Sampling, trimming, and sound selection are all way easier with a touchscreen. No more squinting at tiny LEDs or memorising cryptic layouts. The app even lets you update firmware wirelessly—no more USB cable spaghetti. And if you’re a purist, you can still go screenless and keep it old school, but the option for a hybrid workflow is a win.

TAETRO argues that this approach keeps the cost down—no expensive built-in screens—and gives you the choice to go deep or keep it simple. There’s even a visualiser in the app for those who want a bit of eye candy with their beats. It’s a symbiotic setup: groovebox and app, working together like a rave bunker with WiFi.