Thank you! This is very helpful. How to videos and explanations are more helpful than just watching someone play and patch with the same colored cables which causes confusion when trying to learn. Same colors are fine when their patch path and purpose is explained. I hope you do more like this.
Thanks Charlotte, I’m glad it’s helpful. Please check out the other SQ-1 video that explains how to make sequences longer than 16 steps with just one SQ-1.
Great explanation. I have stumbled on the slide / gate off technique and had no idea why it was doing that. Thanks for helping wrap my head around that!
Thanks! This is exactly why I made the video. Like you, I was getting these interesting/cool results and couldn’t figure out why. I just kept experimenting, and with the help of an oscilloscope eventually figured out how it worked. I have to tip my hat to Korg for coming up with some pretty useful features in this very affordable sequencer. Why they don’t explain these things, on the other hand, is mystifying.
thank you, was very helpful, thats what i love about these devices, many things to discover, many ways to use or abuse them, for example that did not know that the sync in can be fed audio or lfo signals for unusual experimental sounds
Thanks, this was interesting. I've just taken a SQ-1 out of the box and feel like the manual pamphlet is hopeless. This really helped quite a bit. Thanks for making it.
The manual explains the A/B behavior you started with reasonably well but you're right, it says nothing about this business with gate and slide. Those are fascinating discoveries! Thanks for sharing them. I accidentally discovered there are more sync modes than those listed in the documentation. I wanted my SQ-1 to slave to an irregular modular clock and advance 1 step per pulse - none of the listed settings worked the way I wanted, but I turned the knob farther and got different patterns of lights. I don't know exactly what mode I finally selected, but it now works the way I wanted it to...
Thanks for watching. I showed the various modes at the beginning for completeness and they are fairly well described, though I would have described them in more detail, particularly what voltages are coming out of the A and B CV outputs in the different modes. Making rests was something I found to be interesting as well and there is really no mention of that at all.
Thank you Kurt. Since Korg hasn’t, and probably won’t, release a new manual for the SQ-1 with much more detail, this video will probably remain useful for any new user of this sequencer. I still think this sequencer is a very good value.
Congrats on the new SQ-1! I am continually amazed at just how good and fun this sequencer is. It is able to do some things that sequencers 6X the price can’t do. Enjoy!
Yes this very simple yet versatile sequencer has a lot of undocumented features. Also, since its behavior is different between midi and cv/gate modes, you can use midi connection and still send cv controls to filter, envelope and so on. The only feature it lacks, is the ability to keep tempo when switching modes with the main knob: it restarts from the first note and usually loses the tempo, if you are not perfectly precise with your hand. I wish that Korg decide to release a firmware fix to allow the sq-1 to go on thru the sequence keeping tempo when switching the mode, as is in the volca series. Maybe soon ?? 🤔
Hi, great video. I have a question, If you use SQ1 as a slave how do i get it to reset to the first note? It starts where it left of thats a issue because all my other seq. start at the beginning of the pattern. Any info is welcome. Thanks
If you want some normal phrasing, you can just use a looper or more standard sequencer. If you want to get a little more wild and experimental from time to time, this thing can do that.
the strange behavior you showed first, I recordnised the same when I bought my sq-1 2 days ago. this really broke my head, as Im new to all this analog stuff, but then I realized its not me, sq-1 is not broken, its the way sq-1 operates, its a bit not logic, but well it is as it is
The way I thought about it, in some modes it is a 1-track 16-step sequencer (using only the A settings), and in other modes a 2-track 8-step sequencer (A and B).
Hello, my SQ-1 arrived today and I have a question regarding midi output. Testing the unit I'm using only the supplied midi adapter that came with the unit. I connected it to my Novation Bass Station 1 via USB cable only. It only plays sequence B not sequence A? Is my unit faulty or is this normal behavior using the supplied midi adapter? Found nothing in the manual regarding. Thank you .
Yes, that is how 'slide' functions as opposed to 'portamento'. Perhaps you have played with a TB-303 or a MC-202? this is similar to how the internal sequencers work in those vintage machines...
Hi Scott, thanks for the insight. I never had a TB-303 or MC-202 and therefore didn’t encounter this before now. I suppose it’s nice to know things work similarly to those devices. For the rest of us, we just had to figure it out for ourselves. The lack of documentation doesn’t provide many clues.
Do you have a solution for installing drivers on SQ-1 ? According to Korg driver does not work on Windows 10. I'm trying to have it clocked using my DAW Reaper. With driver it does not get recognized. Thank you.
I have a strange question, so forgive me if is stupid: I have a sq-1 and a model D. sequencing the model D via cv I have my sequence. but, if I keep the midi via the beatsteppro playing with the pads transpose the sequence. it's not bad (it's interesting to transpose a sequence from the sq1 in such easy way) but I don't understand how the midi transpose the cv sequence instead to play.
Mike thanks for the video, Im new to synths and sequencers, but would you know if this unit can be set to control one quick pass of a sequence and then stop, to be then triggered again by the keyboard?
Hi John, thanks for the question. The SQ-1 does not have a single-pass mode like many sequencers do. It also lacks a RESET function which can be somewhat limiting for the kinds of things you are describing. The SQ-1 DOES have an external SYNC input that allows something else to step the sequencer. In order to what you have described would require some external gate processing. If you had a reasonably large modular synthesizer with gate dividers and trigger processing, it could be done, though that is beyond the scope of the SQ-1 by itself. That said, I still find the SQ-1 to be amazing for what it DOES do and it’s very low cost.
@@mikeolson7588 Hi Mike, thanks so much for that reply, really helpful. Im trying to tame an Anniversary Moog Voyager haha, so thats what we have synth wise. Looking for short rhythmic/melodic sequences we can trigger and re trigger, quite short, fast and in the high frequency ranges, a bit like what Walker did on Nite Flights. You've saved me a few quid here, so I'll be sure to support your channel. Yes the SQ1 is attractive for its price point. The Dark Matter seems, well too dark for the tones we're seeking. Dont suppose you have a recommendation given the above? Best regards and thanks again
Hey, great Video: subscribed!! So I it looks this great little synth will be my DFAM ... I want so much to get a DFAM (love my Moogs) but I always desist to because 8 steps are super limited....(why didn't they put 16 as in this cool little Q-1??) I know this Q-1 doen't have Moog's oscilators but sounds cool and maybe I could connect it to a moog werkstatt-01 and possibly with short gates get close enough results to a DFAM, what do you think?
I’m not sure I understand your question exactly. By default Chan A outputs on MIDI CH 1 and Chan B outputs on MIDI CH 2. You can change this with the Global Settings method. When in the Parallel Mode, Chan A will output to MIDI CH 1 and B will Go to MIDI CH 2. If you assign one synth to CH1 and the other to CH 2 you will get independent notes on each synth. You are limited to 8 steps for each channel. If you go into a mode that uses all 16 steps it will be output ONLY on CH 1. Not sure this answers your question or not, so feel free to elaborate.
Yes, it can be used as a clock source. Both the GATE A and GATE B outputs can be used. One caution is that the voltage range on these outputs goes between 0 and 13 volts. You may need to attenuate that signal before sending it to your clock input depending on the module you are using (See the datasheet for your module). In my modular system (which is 5U and not Eurorack) the modules can accept 13V signals with no problem even though most gates only need to be > about 2V. Hope this helps you. Also pay attention to the Duty Cycle knob on the SQ-1 as setting this too narrow may prevent proper clocking of your module. Happy patching!
@@mikeolson7588 Also the SYNC out can be used as a clock signal. The Gate A and B outputs stop sending when you press STOP on the SQ-1, where as the SYNC out keeps sending clock signal all the time, regardless of the PLAY/STOP of the SQ-1.
Hi Marcus, the SQ-1 doesn’t make sound on its own. You need to connect it to something else that takes either MIDI note input (which is very common) or Control Voltages (CV) which you will find on analog synthesizers and some other devices. In the demo here I’m using an analog synthesizer and connecting the CVA and CVB to two different oscillators. It is the oscillators that are making the sounds.
Thanks for watching the video. Assuming there is another video on the SQ-1, I have managed to work out all the video issues. At this point I have no plans for more videos, but if there is something you think needs to be addressed, I’d be happy to look into it.
I agree. I'm still pretty new to understanding CV/Gate and Modulars. Just watched a 2nd of your videos. Do you have a PayPal that I can donate a little something for your time that it took you to make yor videos ?
Hi, I have a question. I'm thinking of buying this machine, but I was wondering and you seem to know the SQ1 very well. If I sync it to another machine with the 'sync in' connection where the other drum machine has sync triggers at 1/16 (compared to a measure on that drum machine) , can I somehow have faster speeds going out of the SQ1? From my understanding no, cause the SQ1 will move forward a step based on the input sync, so it can never go faster than what the input sync is doing, but I hope I'm wrong?
Hi Dieter, if you want the SQ-1 to run faster than the clock on Sync In, then set the set the Sequencer step resolution (SEE FAQ on Korg website how to do this) to one of the x2 modes. It will run twice as fast as the input clock. You are correct in that Sync is a STEP control and not a speed control. Another idea is to use the GATE OUT of one channel of the SQ-1 as the sync TO your external drum machine (your drum machine will follow the SQ-1 gates as a clock). That way you can turn gates off on the SQ-1 to slow down the drum machine relative to the SQ-1. This is probably only useful if you are only using one channel of the SQ-1 for notes though. Assuming you are in the parallel mode with 8 steps from each channel, you could have the SQ-1 effectively running 8 times as fast as the drum machine (by having only one gate ON for the 8 steps). Using this technique you can get quite strange results when the number of gates that are on is not an even number, or are not evenly spaced!
Yes. LFO is just a looped smooth sequence or an envelope of some type. So, you could for example do a squar-ish LFO by selecting a two step sequence one step at minimum the other at max for example, and you should get a square LFO.
Dumbpublic Hater ...or you can use 8 to 16 steps to create the LFO with the shape you want, sending cv to pitch, driving the tone to go different directions as you tweak knobs, changing pit points
That is correct. It’s analog sequencer with no memory capability. That said, it is quite a fun little sequencer. Remember that you can turn Gates On/Off while the sequencer is playing, skip steps live and move to any point in the sequence manually live. For even more fun, watch my other video showing sequences longer than 16 steps which allows for polyrhythms.
seanwinter sax it goes like this: midi seq with memory can store up to, let’s say, 10 (Volca range) to 500> (Arturia/Electron range) patterns. You can program them beforehand and switch between during live show seamlessly. Very convenient. On SQ-1 you have only one but very movable sequence panel (or two - A & B), where you can have almost endless amount of patterns, but you have to change them by hand continuously. It’s just different type of workflow, a bit behind of what Beatstep pro can provide, but still very tactile and groovy. It can do a lot when you play something like ambient, seamlessly changing notes and patterns, or techno, playing live with couple of other instruments or people jamming
Hi Mike! I have SQ-1 hooked to TD-3-MO and the gate just never closes to trigger new envelope, voltage changes but it is sliding slowly to zero volume... I had to insert one extra Gate ON slide OFF note, any chance you know why could this be?
Hi, and thanks for watching the video. I took a quick look at the spec sheet for the TD-3-MO since I don’t have one. It looks like the Gate input is compatible with the SQ-1 Gate Output (which is almost 13V when ‘on’). I’d make sure the duty cycle isn’t set to 100% on the SQ-1. ‘Off’ = 0V, ‘On’ = 13V. The other thing you could try is hooking up via MIDI. Without your Bass synth, I unfortunately can’t experiment myself. I hope you work it out.
@@mikeolson7588 I thought I figured it out with factory reset but not... I will keep trying.... Noticed the same behaviour if I push the duty knob past 4o'clock, even without the slide... Thanks anyways for the videos and active participation!
@@gumdlab7233 also make sure its in the Positive Gate mode. Remember it supports both the 1V/oct mode and the Hz/V standard. The Hz/V is the old Korg standard and the gates are Ground instead if +5V.
just measured it with meter it is just solid 10v out of gate all the time with slide. the next active step/gate on with slide does not seem to drop it to 0 to restart the amp envelope.But maybe that is as designed and the synth is at fault...
If you are referring to the cables going from the SQ-1 to the modular synth, they were from Sweetwater. They are mini-jacks on the SQ-1 end and 1/4” on the modular end. I believe they are 5 feet long.
Oh, OK. Those cables are from synthesizers.com. They are specifically manufactured for the TB22++ system and are custom made. They come in many lengths and colors and are perfect for that system because it’s relatively small.
You will typically use the GATE output from CHAN A and/or CHAN B to trigger an envelope generator in your synthesizer. That way you can get whatever effect you want.
That’s a great question. No, it doesn’t have a built-in capability for swing. However, since it has external sync, if you have a device that produces gates with swing, you could sync to that gear and get a swing effect. I’ve been using an external gate generator lately with the SQ-1 to create irregular rhythmic patterns and it works quite well.
@@mikeolson7588 If you use an external sync source for swing, irregular, or slow clocking, I suggest using the SYNC X1 clocks per sync pulse setting, in the global parameters. The reason why is, SYNC X2 (the default) does not work well with irregular sync pulses. Press and hold the Play/Stop button while powering on the SQ-1. Then turn then adjust the position of the SEQUENCERMODE selector to the appropriate step resolution as follows. • “=>“ PARALLEL ORDER: quarter note / SYNC X1 • “=>“ CV DUTY: 8th note / SYNC X1 • “=>“ CV SLIDE: 16th note / SYNC X1 * SYNC X2 = 1 sync clock advances 2 steps / SYNC x1 = 1 sync clock advances 1 step
Hi Jason, I can’t imagine that a company like Korg would intend to do such a poor job documenting what I consider to be a great sequencer (especially for the money). As another viewer pointed out, some of these features are similar to other, older, vintage machines and therefore some folks would expect this. I, on the other hand, had no experience with these other vintage machines and just had to figure things out for myself. I made the video assuming there were others like me who would be happy to discover some of these valuable capabilities.
@@mikeolson7588 Thanks Mike, my comment was meant to be sarcastic, appreciate the good info you've given about this little monster :) I hooked it up to my Behringer K2 and having a blast! :)
I gave you a thumbs up for the content, but I'd have to unfortunately give you a 👎for the video... Please invest in a tripod or something so you can have a steady picture as your great content is being spoilt by shakey video.
Hey Richard, thanks for watching. Many others have made the same point about the shaky video and you are correct. I have since obtained proper tripods. I appreciate the feedback.
From a technical standpoint, mapping any set of larger values to a smaller set is Quantization. I agree that in our DAW’s we quantize time (or beats). The SQ-1 does quantize it’s output voltage from a continuous range of voltage, to discreet values determined by the settings (either Oct/V or Hz/V). A Chromatic scale is a frequency relationship between pitches. In Western scales, the Chromatic scale is in semitones. Our synthesizers convert Quantized Voltages into Chromatic pitches.
