Squarp Instruments Hapax 3.0 firmware is out now: the dual-project multi-track sequencer now has deeper MPE support, and more.
The Hapax is a performance-oriented, dual-project, multi-track hardware sequencer. Since its release in early 2022, the feature set of this French desktop sequencer has continued to grow.
Superbooth 2026 starts in a month, but we have news from the developers. Squarp Instruments has released Hapax firmware version 3.0, featuring new functionality and improvements.
Firmware 3.0
The best news: firmware 3.0 for the Squaro Instruments Hapax is free of charge for existing users and is now available for download. Once downloaded, you benefit from new creative features.
The highlight of firmware 3.0 is the greatly improved MPE support. It now comes with dedicated MPE zones that can be configured for each track output.
You can choose between the Lower Zone (channels 2-15; channel 1 is the master) and the Upper Zone (channels 15-1 inverted; channel 16 is the master). There are also new MPE modes to explore.
Live Mode MPE transforms the Hapax into a 128-pad MPE controller that transmits aftertouch (pressure), CC74 (timbre), and pitchbend.
In Step Mode MPE, you can now set for each note the initial values of pressure, timbre, and pitchbend. You can also display and offset the curves of all three parameters of a recorded MPE note.
There is also a new multi-track MPE mode that routes out on the same output. Additionally, new MPE settings are available, making it more flexible to use.
Then, the USB device port and the USB host port now appear as 16 independent MIDI ports (16 channels each) to your computer or other device, expanding routing possibilities. And the in/out ports are configurable in the “Virtual Cables” setting on the hardware.
Good, you can also now send sync out settings (clock and transport messages) via the USB device/host ports to virtual ports 2-16.
Other Additions
- Pattern Mode – New Perform Sync Values: Track 1 … Track 16. Launch a pattern in sync with the end of this selected track, enabling complex transitions based on a specific track.
- Pattern Mode – New Follow Action: RSTR (Restart): The pattern restarts at the beginning after reaching the Follow Length duration.
- modMatrix Enhancement: You can now add a source and adjust depth, polarity, consume, and offset even before assigning a destination.
- After loading and unmuting a project, all patterns now restart from the beginning to ensure full track re-synchronization.
- Palette: now allows setting 16 colors for patterns, instead of 8.
- Pedal Type: Choose between Momentary (default) or Latching (new) pedal behavior.
- Added new scales (Lydian, Lydian Augmented, Lydian b6)
- PC Pre-Send: Program Change messages are now sent at 50% of the bar (previously 75%). Improves compatibility with devices such as the Roland MC-707, which require more time to load upcoming Program Changes.
- and more
Further, there is a new interface for adding automation/modMatrix/effect destinations, enhanced pop-up visuals, and more.
A great major upgrade for the Hapax sequencer. Many will be pleased with the improved MPE functionality, which now allows capturing MPE instruments with their full expressiveness.
Squarp Instruments Hapax firmware 3.0 is available now as a free update.
More information here: Squarp Instruments
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Thomann
Update from January 2025
The French developers of Squarp Instruments are not at NAMM 2025, but have taken the opportunity to release a major update for the mighty Hapax multi-track hardware sequencer.
The new firmware 2.10 adds many new features, enhances the workflow, and fixes many bugs.
Squarp Instruments Hapax 2.10
The new free firmware update 2.10 for the Hapax introduces four new MIDI effects: Arpoly, Register, Mono, and Shapes.
Arpoly is a programmable polyphonic arpeggiator and polymetric loop designer for melodic and rhythmic patterns or both at once. A register is a free-running, random, looping sequence of notes that can be locked or mutated over time. It’s freely inspired by the famous Music Thing Modular Turing Machine.
Then, Mono converts incoming polyphonic notes to monophonic notes, and Shaper applies a non-linear transformation to incoming events.
The new Squarp Instruments Hapax 2.10 firmware also introduces a new shuffle algorithm that randomly rearranges notes in several ways. There are also some updates for existing algorithms. The FX arpeggiator now features a hard-sync mode, and the randomizer has an added parameter, “base chance on note velocity.”
Users can also now fine-tune the note length of a sequence, transpose the pitch of a drum event, and use a new mono editing mode. Firmware 2.10 also introduces new functions in the chord mode: modifiers saved per track and relatch mode,… Other new features are:
- REC hard quantize (in REC settings, enable the quantize and hold+rotate this encoder to select if you want to keep the note OFF position, or keep the note original width)
- a SH-101-style STEP-INPUT REC mode
- looper: auto-length can be set to 1 step (in addition to 1 bar)
- autom mode: when holding a step to edit its value, you can now reset the value to default by holding the encoder
- other new settings (pedal = BM) (CV out type HZ/V)…
- new shortcuts
At first glance, it is a nice, extensive update for the Squarp Instruments Hapax. The new firmware 2.10 is now available as a free download for existing users.
Update From January 22, 2024
Article March 1, 2022
The first of March is a wild day. There are many new product announcements. When you think it’s over for today, the next big release is around the corner. The French developers of Squarp Instruments, known for their inspiring Pyramid hardware sequencer, introduced another sequencer today —one with even more power and features.
At first glance, it looks like every Circuit user’s dream has come true. But it is the Hapax, a new, powerful, standalone multi-track sequencer designed to be the centerpiece of your setup or even your entire studio. Sorry for the pictures; there are currently no better and clearer ones.
“Genuine centerpiece of a setup, Hapax offers every tool needed to compose songs in the studio and perform them on stage. From vintage to modern synths, from modular systems to your favorite DAW, Hapax can sequence and synchronize all your gear, while bringing you carefully crafted tools, designed for maximizing creativity.
Squarp Instruments Hapax
To the hard facts: The core of Hapax are two bright OLED display that gives you two projects, each with 16 tracks and 8 patterns per track.
Yes. it can handle two separate and independent projects that can be played simultaneously. So you can compose fluently without spending a long time reorganizing your tracks.
Each pattern can be a note sequence with polyphony and MPE data or a beat with up to 8 different instruments within a single track.
The possibility of recording MPE in a hardware sequencer is novel. Squarp Instruments says it’s the first hardware sequencer that is capable of recording the finest gestures, slides, and articulations. That’s very exciting.
Pyramid was the first release of the Squarp developers. It is very popular because of its ingenious built-in MIDI modifiers. These are also included here, giving you tons of composing flexibility.
You can work with up to 8 real-time MIDI effects per track, ranging from algorithmic tools that bring life to your composition, creative arpeggios, Euclidean helpers, a MIDI filter, to controlled random, there is a lot to explore. Plus, you can modulate these parameters with LFOs.
Hi-Res Creative Recording
Hapax is a high-resolution recorder that runs at 192 ppqn. It offers different options for recording your music. You can use the encoders and 128 pads to program your steps, work with external MIDI instruments, including MPE controllers or with any incoming analog signal.
From looper-style recording, count-down and metronome options, punch-in mode… There is certainly an option that fits your workflow.
Then, for fast and intuitive chord building on the fly, it also hosts an isomorphic keyboard and chord generator that brings harmonic capabilities to anyone. Further, it has:
- independent BPM per track with a time elasticity algorithm
- undo/redo with history + snapshot
- dual-project transparent loading & playback for song mixing
Squarp Instruments promises that this is just the beginning and that new features & parameters will be added regularly.
Connection
A good sequencer should not only have a good, stable firmware, but also sufficient connections. The Hapx has that in my opinion: on the input side, you get
- 2x MIDI in (DIN + TRS), 2x CV in[-5V to +5V] (16bit) and a socket for a stereo pedal footswitch.
On the other side, you will find
- 4x MIDI out (3× DIN + TRS), 4× CV out [-5V to +5V] (16bit), 4× GATE out [+5V], bi-directional I/O, and USB host and device connection.
With the Pyramid, the French developers already have a powerful standalone sequencer in their portfolio. The Hapax is another few levels up. Above all, the MPE functionality makes it currently unique. It looks very tempting. Looking forward to the first user experiences.
Squarp Instruments Hapax is available now for 864€/$979 USD + VAT with free worldwide DHL express shipping.
More information here: Squarp Instruments
![Ellitone e[64]](https://synthanatomy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ellitone-e64-326x245.jpg)
looks funky as hell but man, that price! the pyramid would be a much cheaper option and i think much less limited when it comes to patterns/notes and all that stuff. fak.
you have two Pyramids in the Hapax because you can run two project simultaneously side by side. Plus, the MPE data recording and editing function is a feature not available in any other hardware standalone sequencer.
from someone who can afford one or two pieces of gear a year [usually under $600usd] – those are the features i enver think about, i can see the pro’s or people that have the moneys be all up for it though, for sure. it still is funky as hell but i’d rather have more patterns/unlimited bars and such than say the usual 16 patterns. the nerdseq for example has tons of features but then the polyend tracker has more flexibility which then is limited compared to the dirtywave m8, which has 16 step patterns [but a more involved way to get around that with the tables thing]. dont have a negative view towards it, except for the price.
As a Pyramid owner I do not agree that it is two Pyramids. Hapax has 2 projects, each with 16 tracks containing 8 patterns each. A Pyramid has a single project with 64 tracks with up to 32 patterns each. Which device is better depends on your needs and workflow. The Pyramid is great. I suspect that the Hapax is as well.
I can imagine that the developers will add more tracks in the future. They also updated Pyramid from mk1 to mk3 massively via new firmwares 🙂
Yeah, I agree with this view. Pyramid is still a really great sequencer and Hapax doesn’t fully replace it depending on your needs. I agree with the other reply in that Squarp made some very good firmware updates throughout Pyramid’s lifetime, but I’d also never recommend buying a product based on future predictions if it doesn’t serve you with the features it already has.
I know for myself, I’ve listed my Pyramid as I think I’d be better served by the Hapax workflow even though it is bound to 16 tracks with 8 patterns each, but it is a compromise I’m fully aware of!
“MPE data recording and editing function is a feature not available in any other hardware standalone sequencer.”
I present to you, Push 3.
you have written an article from 2021 😉
Is MPE recording and playback working properly so far? I read in the Squarp forums it is not working. As an osmose owner this would be an instant buy if it was working.
can’t say as I don’t have a Squarp Hapax. It was a feature announced for it but didn’t test it
Looks very cool, and of course a bit Deluge inspired.
I like the idea that this machine can load two project simultaneously, but I can’t seem to find the information for how many projects you can save within the machine?
you can save them on a SD card so enough projects 🙂
Hmm, why not $2300 ?
Okay but… why would I want to run two projects at the same time? I don’t understand the appeal. I’ve never had the desire to have two instances of Ableton open at once or anything like that.
It’s mainly a feature for live where it makes senses.So you can prepare two complete sets and crossfade from one to another without interruption. There are a lot of musicians who don’t use Ableton Live on stage and so these could be a DAWless solution.
Looks like a synthstrom deluge…..
Mpe support coming soon.
Looks cool but I think I’m covered on most of these features.
Does not load midi files?
Shame
If they add load midi files…
I will buy It right now
HAPAX has been able to load MIDI files for quite some time now!
Linnstrument can do it.
I had a month long squabble with Frnch Hapax vs Spaniard OXI One. Got the Oxi and it has been plenty fun. This update is great and wouldve made the decision a lot harder but I think I wouldve still chosen the OXI because of the community and constant updates and bug squashing.
Had the Hapax for a while; it was great for controlling synths, but if I synced it to Ableton it would drift out of sync after 20 or so measures whether the clock (midi or audio) was coming from Ableton or the Hapax. Very frustrating.