Defamiliarizing the Korg SQ-1

[@randompuppy789]

Cool

[@undulations]

@@randompuppy789 🙏🏼

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Nice tips! And nice jams, too. I've just finished jamming with mine, and - in fact - I was considering getting another one, too. It is a great little machine. Bonus for me, the fact that it supports Hz CV instead of volt per octave, so I can use it with my Yamaha CS-15.

[@undulations]

Having two is great: multiple setups, combos, and a backup. Thanks very much for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Indeed. Have a nice evening. @@undulations

[@zj5894]

The jam at the end is straight phire dude. Love how the motif keeps evolving but remains familiar. Hope this one makes it on the album!

[@undulations]

Thank you very much! It's one of my own favorite things I've done for this channel👍🏻 I felt like I had a lot of stuff tuned up right for it - the plate reverb on the NanoGarden is pretty hard to beat! Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@kylestey]

I really enjoy your sense of humor. Great video.

[@undulations]

Kyle Estey Thank you😀!

[@jamesbtex58]

VERY cool, first person I've seen that actually used a lot of imagination instead of just showing demonstrations of equipment. There is a need for more people showing how to put your imagination into patching and sounds that one can create, not just doing a product demo. Thanks for the effort. I typically don't like a lot of randomness (not really music) but this one was truly musical and enjoyable to listen to.

[@undulations]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate the feedback!

[@howardgreenwich490]

That is one awesome jam. Its like jazz beats met ambient and had a baby. Please keep the videos coming!

[@undulations]

Horrid Gamer Thank you so much🙏🏼!

[@concrete_cold]

Best KZbinr i ever discovered!

[@undulations]

Awww, too kind🙏🏼! Many thanks for checking it out! Busy summer, have also been organizing the place and projects - but some new videos are underway👍🏻 Thanks again for the kind words!

[@unclebuttonz7865]

smarshed that like the moment you revealed the second SQ and flashed to your cat audience. always enjoy your videos, so glad I found this one.

[@undulations]

Thanks very much🙏🏼! (hah, I need to re-watch that part😺)

[@trippypages7309]

This is the great great granmother of all tutorials.... best of all: super INSPIRATIONAL...thanks 💪

[@undulations]

You bet! Thanks very much for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@Robotique69]

Wonderful tips about the SQ-1 or some more of it - love it!

[@undulations]

Thanks very much for checking it out😀!

[@MatthewLowes]

Great tips on the SQ1s. I love this kind of “simple” sequencer and what you can do with them. I’ve got a Dark Time and an SQ1 and this gives me some more ideas for syncing them, and also makes me think another SQ1 could be in my future. Awesome jam at the end, by the way. Loved it!

[@undulations]

Matthew Lowes Thank you very much for the feedback🙏🏼! Yes, that 2nd SQ-1 has been so much more than a "spare". Thanks also about the last jam - I love the 0coast with reverb - in fact, I shot a similar setup today for my next upload🤔!

[@glengombik8930]

I really liked your final composition. I'm learning a lot from your videos. Thank you for the inspirations.

[@undulations]

Glen Archer Thank you🙏🏼 Glad to hear that. I really appreciate the feedback.

[@SynthoidSounds]

Thanks for posting, nicely done . . . quite possibly the most useful / relevant SQ-1 tutorial video yet posted. I've been poking around with my Behringer Neutron synth and the SQ-1, but still discovering mysterious, unpublished odd things that can be done with this. Your video fits into that paradigm perfectly.

[@undulations]

Charles Ostman Thanks a lot for the feedback! Good luck with your explorations!

[@exitritual]

This was really interesting. The bit at about @12:08 was very cool. And now I've quickly realized that I don't use my SQ-1 enough.

[@undulations]

scott sturgis I had the same exact thought as I was making the video. I use the SQ-1 all the time but just as a very basic CV sequencer. In a video from like 8-9 months ago I said something to the effect of “A SQ-1 is kind of redundant when paired with a Volca Keys which has built-in sequencing.” but it’s so different and so much more immediate than a programmed sequence. I could go for a “SQ-2” or a “Volca Sequence” with 16 endless encoder knobs and a bunch of sequence storage and chaining. Anyway, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback!

[@niloben659]

Just bought one to go with my 0 coast/Erebus V3. As always you are the 'go to' for tutorials.

[@undulations]

Thank you🙏 That sounds like a great setup!

[@FleshMusicNYC]

Ender gave me the feels, very beautiful.

[@undulations]

Thank you so much🙏🏼! (sorry it took me ages to reply)

[@improziv]

Very creative and inspiring presentation. Thanks for sharing!

[@undulations]

You're welcome! Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@leonmccormick2909]

Hey man just found your channel and you're a genius as far as I'm concern. I actually have 2 SQ1s and you have totally inspired me. Really glad I found you brother. I'm going and hooking up all sorts of stuff just to see and hear what happens. I'll be in touch. Stay cool and blessed!! Again thank you!!

[@undulations]

Hey, thank you🙏! That is great to hear! Let me know how your explorations go👍

[@briancassidy6678]

Thanks for this exploration into the SQ-1. I received mine yesterday and thought it was going to allow me to play, you know, notes in sequence. Had no idea of the possibilities. Couldn't find a video to show me where to plug the CV/Gate into my MS-20 Mini because I discovered that is not what you do. I was soon was plugging it in anywhere until it sounded "good". Thanks, again. PS You keep a lovely home. Like the stones in clip 7.

[@undulations]

Brian Cassidy Hey, you’re welcome! I bet the SQ-1 and MS-20 Mini are a great combo and a lot of fun. I appreciate the feedback 🙏🏼!

[@milescarter9516]

Great.Super Sci-Fi and sonic sounds with the midi set up. Thanks kindly

[@undulations]

Miles Carter You’re welcome! Thanks for watching👍🏻

[@comicKkrakK]

Very cool. Appreciate these videos, seems like we have a lot of gear similar to one another so it's always great to get some new ideas on how to have all of these interact with each other. Slowly making my way through your catalog of videos...!

[@undulations]

comicKkrakK Cool, thanks again for watching😀.

[@DiegoFerri]

came for the tutorial stayed for the jam

[@MisAnnThorpe]

The end sequence makes me think of (Mark Bell's) LFO and definitely not the boy band of the same name! You do a good job of keeping a simple sequence interesting for over 10 minutes.

[@BoardgameBaker]

That’s it. I’m getting another one. Great video, very creative!

[@undulations]

Thanks a lot for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@unclemick-synths]

11:30 is making me wonder if I can use a CV or gate out on my Akai MPC One as the sync input on the SQ-1 to do ratcheting like this. Something to try. Thanks for posting this thought-provoking video. 👍

[@undulations]

You're welcome! Give it a go with the MPC👍🏻 I've been enjoying using the SQ-1 with my modular setup in the last few months - I feel like the different settings, slides, and step jump really make it a very adaptable sequencer🏆.

[@unclemick-synths]

@@undulations So, the MPC One Gate signal will clock the SQ-1 for ratcheting, swing, or making riffs. It all depends on the rhythm programmed into the MPC's step sequencer. The SQ-1 needs to be set to sync x1 which is undocumented but is accessed by using the 4th, 5th, or 6th sequence step resolutions (=>, CV Duty, or CV Slide). The documented step resolutions operate at sync x2 which produces unpredictable results. One use of this is to have sequences longer than 16 ticks as long as they only have 16 notes. I haven't experimented yet with Slide or the other features apart from the overall Duty control. If anyone is wondering why this is worth the effort considering the MPC has a built-in step sequencer, with the Neutron a CV sequence can be modulated by the MIDI input (the way digital step sequencers should work but 99% don't 😭) and the SQ-1 can be manipulated in real time.

[@undulations]

@@unclemick-synths That is a lot of great stuff to know. Thanks for sharing! I'll pin this for any passersby👍🏻

[@fg594]

dude. how cool ! thank you! open my brain!!!

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@JUSTaCringeChannel]

i would have thought of that. cheers to strange ideas! thx

[@marsmediapro]

I for one, love unpredictable results. (Seems to be my forte). I am currently using three SQ1's mounted together in a rack cabinet with a PAiA Modular system, and a Behringer Model D, plus, I sometimes use a Boss DR-55 as a trigger. I next want to see how/if my Korg Monolgue with trigger these small beasts! Thanks for the video!

[@undulations]

MAX MARS You are welcome! Your setup sounds amazing :) I really like the wide variety of options with the double SQ-1’s - so 3 of them must be really wild😀! Have fun!

[@nciuper]

Muy bueno !! Saludos desde Argentina

[@undulations]

nciuper muchas gracias por mirar🙏🏼 (my spanish is very rusty, decades since i took in school)

[@nciuper]

@@undulations no worries ! I think at least one of these SQ1 would be very useful for my Volca FM

[@undulations]

nciuper Hey, yes! SQ-1 gives a nice new way to play a Volca like the FM - very hands-on and good for improvising and playing live. You can gradually drift from one sequence to another, play sub-sequences with Step Jump, randomize things, etc. Very fun👍🏻

[@psmaulehlien]

Cool ideas

[@undulations]

Thanks🙏🏼!

[@harmannsmith5653]

p.s. that piano example is very charming)

[@undulations]

Harmann Smith Thank you :)

[@unclemick-synths]

08:42 maybe the trick to get 32-step sequences is to toggle between the CV (and gate) outs rather than toggling the clock. Not sure how that would be achieved without building a little circuit that would flip between the two SQ-1s' outputs every 16 steps.

[@undulations]

That makes sense; sort of like a railroad switch that interleaves two trains. Thanks for checking out the video🙏!

[@jamiestewart1644]

@@undulations A sequential switch will do exactly what you're after. Like the Doepfer 151. Fantastic demo BTW

[@undulations]

@@jamiestewart1644 Ahhh, interesting. Will investigate👍🏻 Thanks for watching🙏🏼

[@manuelfernandez2174]

Very interesting……..thanks

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@baptistedescamps8154]

Hi and thanks for this awesome video. I'm a bit of a noob in terms of hardware connections etc I just wanted to have a little sequencer for my casio cz 101 do you think i could step sequence it easily?

[@flannsixtyseven7489]

i like that part with the piano but i dont understand, the audio out of that piano works as a clock for the timing, just like that, no audio to gate or sth. ? or amplification of the audio ??? yesterday i listened to erik satie and somehow thought about using that for some electronic sounds, thought about running it through the external signal processor of the ms20 but this, like sycing the sequencer would be great.

[@undulations]

Agreed, kind of strange that it works that easily, but the threshold voltage on a Korg sync input seems quite low. I'm not sure what sort of filtering they use, but it seems to pick out audio peaks pretty well - and what we're seeing in that piano clip implies a really fast response time also (not just a single step per note, but it doesn't seem like the audio frequency either; timbral structure or some sort of minimum time between steps?) Anyway, thanks for watching and best of luck in your explorations! ps I made another example of this Korg sync effect with a PO-32 and NTS-1. Check out this (double) post on Instagram if you get a chance: instagram.com/p/B9UTtXyhtKv/?igshid=1rpkuwxipk40s

[@haroldpalmer3245]

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 .

[@undulations]

I guess I don't fully understand. Is there a midi host port on the Bass Station (i.e. a usb B socket)? Are you hooking it up by usb or by a midi cable? If you use a DAW at all it might be useful to hook the SQ-1 to the computer and then see what SQ-1 midi resources can be selected. I can look at this tomorrow if that would help. I don't remember if setting the sequencing mode to 8-step parallel A/B sequences is required to get both sequencing tracks in midi🤔.

[@haroldpalmer3245]

@@undulations Thanks for your quick response I appreciate it. I have the bass station connected via midi cable. SQ-1 OUTPUT to Bass Station INPUT. It's only playing 8-steps B. If I set 8-steps A nothing happens when I turn ON or OFF pads and I don't get a tone difference. I'll set it in my DAW tomorrow and give it a go. Again Thank You.

[@haroldpalmer3245]

@@undulations Well after a day of trial and error I found out that the midi synth I was testing it with was on midi channel 2 hense, the reason I was only getting sequence B to function. Thank you!

[@edwardprue]

Cool video, thank you. I have 4 SQ-1s, but have only connected 2 at a time. This is inspiring me to have a go with all 4 of them at once - never thought about running a CV out into the sync input. Have you ever checked out Mike Olson's video on getting sequences longer than 16 steps?

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼 I have never seen the Olson video, will definitely take a look!

[@noisevector]

That last track would fit nicely in Portal.

[@undulations]

What a great thought - I love that game! Thanks for watching🙏🏼!

[@ronaldlundbohm815]

COOL!!

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@weepwow]

Excellent outside-the-box use of the SQ-1. Curious, what piano is that? sounds great. Looks like very nice action on the keybed also.

[@undulations]

Thank you very much🙏🏼! It's a Casio Privia PX-130. I've enjoyed it a lot, have had it about 8 years. It works well as a midi controller as well (via usb). The key action seems really nice for the price (I think I got it on sale for $500-600).

[@sp3ct3rsd3mos]

do you know if there is a way to chain two sq1s together to get double the sequencing length?

[@undulations]

sp3ct3rs d3mos Well, kind of. I did it using an audio click track that pans the clicks, say 16 clicks on Left channel then 16 clicks on Right channel, and using Left to sync one SQ-1, Right to sync the other. So the first one runs 16 steps and pauses, then the second one runs 16 steps and pauses, etc. The problem with this is that the paused step holds the recent CV value. This can be improved by forcing the last step to be 0, but that seems an issue. See 08:42 Clip 6 in the video. A better way might be to approach it by controlling the SQ-1’s from a DAW via MIDI. Good luck with it👍🏻.

[@kevinjackson7539]

I'm trying to wrap my head around this I just want to be able to use it with my keyboards can it accept two different keyboards playing two different sounds at the same time?

[@undulations]

If both of your keyboards have control voltage and gate inputs then one SQ-1 can send two different 8-step sequences to them (the sequences run at the same time). If the keyboards have MIDI inputs (and at least one them has MIDI thru) then you can send the same 16-step sequence to both keyboards by chaining them together. Hope this helps!

[@trippypages7309]

👍👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿

[@keepitshortnsweet]

What about Gemini Horror's post gave you pause about having only one SQ-1?

[@undulations]

Oh, it really just made me think about how much I valued the SQ-1. I started to think about the price vs. the possibility of mine breaking after it was discontinued for some reason. So, at first watching the GH post just made me want a backup. Then I started to think more about the possibilities of using two🤔. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@harmannsmith5653]

Very interesting, thanks. Currently i don't have large setup, basically: 1) doepfer dark energy 2) roland sp 404 3) some circuitbending-like thing with lfos/generators that supports cv/gate in 4) ipad with some apps but only simple usb cable instead of interfaces like irig. So i was thinking about getting Korg SQ1 to sequence my darkE while hopefully syncing it with either roland or ios. hm...

[@undulations]

Harmann Smith For the syncing aspect I guess midi is the way to go (unless 404 has sync i/o, i can’t recall rn) - so sq1 good for that. But, i imagine that sequencing the dark energy with an sq1 would be amazing and fun. 16 step pitch and gate or 8 step pitch, gate, and filter (or even processing external audio with 16 step filter sequence). step jumps and slides would really be nice i bet. ps I try not to “push” gear on here, but i guess the sq1 is an exception 🤔.

[@harmannsmith5653]

@@undulations thanks for sharing thoughts :) yeah, i think it will be FUN (oh, and nice tip on multistep filtering, haha)

[@jasonakagecko]

Here is a question. How do you send midi to the Sq 1 ?

[@undulations]

It has to be sent into the USB port. Typically that would mean hooking the sq-1 to a computer and then, within a DAW, setting the sq-1 as the midi out target. You _can_ also use a midi "host" box, again hooking to the sq-1 by usb. But, the host box has (5-pin) midi ports, so the input port would send incoming midi out the usb to the sq-1. One reason to do this last thing is that then you can use midi out from some synth or other device, send it into the host box, out the usb to the sq-1, and then out the sq-1 as CV (control voltage) and gates. Hope this helps! Thanks for checking out the video👍🏻

[@jasonakagecko]

Undulations So I have to buy a midi to usb cable?

[@undulations]

I haven't used those but I think it might replace a host box. BUT to hook to a computer you just need a standard USB cable.

[@jasonakagecko]

Undulations Thank You for the information. I talked to Myron Fett at Sweetwater Sound. He said I can take the din connector it comes with. Plug it into the Sync in and it will give me a midi clock signal from my MC-808 Groovebox.

[@iknehuen7835]

great video so much posibilities!!!! how you patched it up for the privia sounds???what you mean by splitting the audio??? thankkxxzzz so much

[@undulations]

Hey, thanks very much🙏🏼! I should probably watch it again sometime, but i _think_ what i probably meant was that i used a Y cable. So that's a stereo 3.5mm plug on one side and two mono 3.5mm plugs on the other. So then I used one channel of the Privia sound as audio, and then I used the other channel of the Privia sound as input to the Sync In. So it basically allows the keyboard to push the sequence forward, typically in an unpredictable way. Then I think I used the main CV out of the SQ-1 to control a filter that modulates the Privia sound? I hope this is helpful. If not, let me know.

[@iknehuen7835]

@@undulations Great and clear explanation!!! thankxz for taking the time!!! so helpfull!! =)

[@mattkaz9604]

Your voice is so peaceful. It's like having a Valium-fuelled jam with Bill Clinton.

[@undulations]

I'll take it😎. I think he plays sax, btw. Thanks for watching🙏🏼!

[@simonburns1055]

Cats tail

[@Ravenseyes10]

Wishing KZbin could play at 3x speed