Korg SQ-1 - Introduction, Demo & Review

Check out our Korg SQ1 review and demonstration with Consordini.com and ‘Nathan Cleary Music!’ featuring a deep dive through some of the features, sounds, pros and cons of the unit.
Beginning with a quick overview and discussion about the unit, followed by a quick tour of the main features and a minimal to no talking sound demo of the presets to finish and let you come to your own conclusions.
TIMESTAMPS:
Intro Discussion - 00:10
Front Panel & Function Overview - 01:43
Sound Demo - 08:21
Outro - 13:55
 
Review & Overview
The KORG SQ 1 is a 16 step hardware analog sequencer with multiple connectivity functionality to both hardware and software units through it’s CV and Gate Ports as well as MIDI In/Out through its USB port.
It can be battery powered or through the USB connection which also makes it a powerfully mobile addition to a Studio/Setup.
Wondering ‘How to Use a Step Sequencer?’ or ‘What does a Step Sequencer Do?’ then check out the review below and the accompanying video today for a great introduction to the possibilities.
(The Synth used in today's video was the Korg Legacy Monopoly VST. So imagine what different sounds this unit can produce with the world of synths available today!)
1. DURABLE, WELL BUILT AND FLEXIBLE (MOSTLY)
The Korg SQ1 is built very well. My personal one has taken many an accidental fall and shows no signs of wear or breaking any time soon which is a big plus for the ‘On Tour’ or ‘Live’ Electronic Musicians.
It’s connections, voltage selector options and outputs allow for connectivity to most Hardware Synthesizers through CV as well as MIDI Software Synths which makes the unit very versatile indeed.
2. INTERESTING POLYRHYTHMIC AND RHYTHM COMPOSITION ON THE FLY!
For those who are accustomed to or only use the ubiquitous DAW piano roll, there is another way!
The Korg SQ-1 is a step sequencer at a reasonable price which could be your introduction into hardware sequencing and can spark, or even force you to create patterns, rhythms and sequences which you never would have conceived otherwise.
This is a big plus for when you hit those inevitable writer’s block moments and a good piece of inspiration-introducing gear to have around the studio!
3. THE LEFT TO BE DESIRED
As great as the Korg SQ1 is at what it can do, there are some glaring and not so glaring things which are left to be desired.
One big issue is the inability to transpose quickly and easily as well as not having any indication of what note is playing on each dial/knob. (some might argue it’s a good point for ‘feel’ but some indication for precision wouldn’t hurt.)
There are some workarounds by patching some of the receiving synthesizer settings (if possible/it has a patchbay) to transpose but to not have it directly and easily accessible on the unit is a minus for a lot of users.
In short, the Rhythmic possibilities are fantastic but the Melodic side leaves a lot to be desired.
In Conclusion
The KORG SQ1 step sequencer is a durable and fun little unit which has enough bang for its buck to interest the veteran producer or the music hobbyist.
Of course there’s some features, like mentioned previously, which would have been fantastic to include but it has enough creative possibilities in the rhythmic composition side to make it well worth it’s money and which earns it a special, if not quite quirky, place in the studio or in a live setup.
If you’re also looking for a ‘not too expensive’ entry into the world of hardware sequencing and how to sequence hardware gear, this is a great place to start as it can introduce a lot of basic sequencing, connection and compositional concepts for you to further develop down the line along with your (hopefully) growing setup!
What do you think of the Korg SQ1? Let us know in the comments below.
Be sure to check out www.Consordini.com for more Gear & Instrument Reviews, Music Lessons and More Music and Audio Related Goodness!
For more from Nathan, head over to www.NathanClearyMusic.co.uk to check out his Audio work and get in touch with him.
Thanks very much for watching, don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell button for new video releases and updates.
#consordini #korg #korgsq1
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[@consordini6258]

We hope you enjoyed our review. We will be waiting for your comments and suggestions!

[@haroldpalmer3245]

I know this is old video but I was hoping your still answering questions. I have a SQ-1 but according to Kong they don't have a fix for the USB driver for Windows 10. Do you have a solution or work around to obtain a driver that would allow windows to recognize the SQ-1? I purchased it over a month ago and it is useless without the driver, no way to sync it to my DAW. Thanks for any advice.

[@MarcoPolux]

​@@haroldpalmer3245 I hope by now you get it fixed... kt seems to work well with MacOS, according to the page at least... Windows always is a big trouble with music. A question , could you (if connected to the computer) could you use it to controll soft synths? and also, do you think it was a good buy?

[@haroldpalmer3245]

@@MarcoPolux I haven't been able to use this with anything yet. Works well as a stand-alone with other synths.

[@hermestrismegistus3417]

*we are legion*

[@fatal5295]

Really nice review! Very good summarize, easy to understand!

[@adamb2987]

i found this to be very clear and helpful, thank you!

[@airwatersun]

Very clear. Thank you

[@maxsmart9116]

Very helpful!

[@theleastsignificantbit4794]

Yes, things can get bleepy, but I have through trial and error discovered some great bass lines and melodies with this thing. It’s a great sequencer.

[@CKMusicOnline]

Hi ! Great video there :)

[@jasonbarton9352]

There have been many videos where people have addressed this piece of gear, and most are good.....This is the one I learned the most from. EXCELLENT!! The best one i have seen. I learned more about my SQ-1 in a matter of minutes than I did messing with it for a year. Guess what- you got a new subscriber!

[@untoldstory176]

Big uP.. The most detailed guide about SQ-1 on YT ! ,)

[@boatblocker]

can this be used to send/receive cv signals from modular plugin software to/from hardware synths?

[@olehfil9016]

the sequencer its amazing ...the only think that i don't understand its how to synch the speed to the DAW metonome..(Ableton in my case)... i mean which is the set up in the preferences that make the steps following the time of the clip that already play

[@stuartquate7500]

This is one of the best demo videos I have seen, cheers.

[@h-dawg969]

Would this be a good 1st sequencer for a hardware Aira system 1? It’s my first synth so I am a newbie. Just for laying down chords and/or bass lines.

[@federico7367]

can I sequence chords form my microkorg with the sq1? or is it only monophonic sequencing?

[@pimpampoum83]

Hi, I need a sequencer for my hydrasynth desktop, the SQ-1 is good for hydrasynth desktop ? Need answer plz and excuse my bad english i m learning

[@ultraturbo]

What are you triggering at the end? Will this sync to a daw and trigger a soft synth at the same time? 2 way midi via usb?

[@martinnonstatic7435]

thx! question... there is no swing selection isnt it ?

[@dadjacobs8977]

I'm new to sequencers and I don't own a computer but have some drum machines and synthetic. Will this work to make music or do I need other things?

[@loreladumbrava]

Can you send the clock to it from another instrument?

[@TheASM196]

The littlebits is a synth kit made by Korg for learning the various parts of an analog synth.

[@scovilleassortment3829]

Would this work with the asm hydrasynth??

[@marcuunk8564]

Nice, but is that a Electribe 2 behind the SQ 1?

[@user-tv7jx9pw1q]

Nice guide, I don't really like my results with the sq1 but could be my neutron too ;]

[@buaa77]

yo yo yo - o whats a neutron ? peace -out 91..-

[@user-tv7jx9pw1q]

@@buaa77 hey, a neutron is a semi modular Synthesizer from behringer. Peace :)

[@saren6538]

Must be shit at sequencing 😆

[@beatzavod8708]

Hello ! Do you know how to change the speed of notes 1/4, 1/8, 1/16? on korg sq-1

[@ReformedWhiteKnight]

He explained it in the video, it's in the 'global settings'

[@haroldpalmer3245]

Question Mate: I'd like know how you got the USB driver to work? I've spent 2 weeks so far and Kong support says they have no fix solution for the USB Driver. I'm on windows 10 and would love to use my Neutron and Sq-1. If you don't mind sharing the fix I would really appreciate it.

[@Neuri]

asio driver free google it

[@haroldpalmer3245]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your response. I will that a go!

[@EvLoutonian]

Can you also use the inboard sequence as Cv/gate output A, and use output B as a USB channel of Midi-CV Conversion?

[@adrianmonk6833]

Did you ever get an answer to this? Wondering the same thing

[@EvLoutonian]

@@adrianmonk6833I didn't really look into it.. but I might try to have a deeper dive today, with this serving as a reminder.

[@mikesauta7626]

Little Bits is actually a very tiny mini modular synth, kind of like legos. Look them up!

[@88Spint]

This thing screams for you to experiment. I feel like I would break it in a week, yet... the price makes me care less about that. 100 bucks is something I can burn every now and then without feeling guilty. :D Also the formfactor, other then the box size, really makes me want one to pair up with a couple of volcas.

[@snorrevonflake]

Never tried it with midi

[@neonpop80]

You literally explained everything except for the one thing I wanted to know from the video: What is that one output that you did not mention? Is that a midi output?

[@jodo985]

Yes that is a midi output

[@albertocastillo7686]

i still dont understand how this works...

[@himasa]

you're not alone mate

[@albertocastillo7686]

I actually know how to us the sq-01 now it just came down to practice and jamming.

[@wtc175]

Seems you need a degree in physics or electronics to understand how this works!

[@kentaccordionist]

Get an Arturia beatstep they are a lot easier.

[@nateonearth]

Do the knobs send midi over usb?

[@nateonearth]

To use it like a mini midi mixer controller…

[@humansrants1694]

yes

[@-Deena.]

My damn SQ1 will NOT time synch with Cubase 10.5. Tried all the sync options. Grrrr!

[@albertocastillo7686]

I got it to sync with ableton and machine 2.0

[@xheartinhandx]

You’re trying to teach people about a cv controller, and don’t know what a patch cable is?

[@MariusVideoOfficial]

Hello can we set the duration of each note of steps?

[@zbnmth]

duty does that

[@buaa77]

the phase is commonly in degrees?,I hitted 360 Likes so so hahaahaha , Korg must can transglyph some blueprints to everyone. in ultra D.I.Y with some chopsticks peace Consordini

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Great build quality tho. It’s heavy. Metal chassis.

[@demofactory]

Please turn the music down or off, when you're speaking, so we can hear/understand what you're saying. Thanks.

[@Petitsingeify]

UK ACCENT "COMPUTAAAR"

[@Petitsingeify]

a bottle of water

[@mikeking7351]

Dump the fucking annoying backup track.

[@peterblock9279]

The music in the first minute and a half is really irritating. It isn't good music. It's just loud and distracting. Bad creative choice, bro. Just saying.

[@Electrictechnic]

You don't know what a patch cable is eh