Play your Sequencer DON'T program it! Korg SQ1 review, the most playable sequencer

[@RaquelFoster]

I have two SQ-1s. I also have a Behringer Edge which I mostly use as a sequencer. The cool thing about the Edge is that it gives you velocity on the 2nd row, which is pretty similar to patching the CV of the 2nd row of an SQ-1 into the volume CV of the synth (although that’s not an option with MIDI on the SQ-1). You can get really long patterns if you clock it with the trigger out of a drum machine. You can also exploit a hidden feature of a lot of synths with CV inputs (like most Moogs) where the CV gets added to the last MIDI note the synth received. It really helps deal with the limited note range of the SQ-1. So for example with my Minitaur I can play a pattern on an SQ-1 using CV, then I can use a MIDI keyboard or another SQ-1 to transpose the CV. If you have a 2nd SQ-1 clocked with a trigger that’s only once or twice per bar then you’re basically sequencing chord changes.

[@MyLittleSynths]

Yes! Sounds like you really like the 8 step analog sequencers! I'm not sure what kind of music you make, but as a techno head I love the hypnotic drive of an 8 step or half bar sequencer loop! In my opinion thats why the DFAM/Edge are such instant techno machines. I always preferred the sq1 because it can do rests, gluides and 1 to 16 step patterns. But I do prefer the Edge over the DFAM because I belive you can send it midi notes transposing the built in sequencer running, like you are discribing. Are you talking about stepping the Edge or sq1 with a drum machine? With 2 sq1's you could set them to differnt PPQ and it would be like having s clock divider. You could also clock one sq1 off the gate out of the other. Now you got me wanting a second sq1! Your setup sounds like a very powerful sequencing setup! Relatively affordable too 👌!

[@RaquelFoster]

@@MyLittleSynths The weird part about the Edge is that - When the sequencer is running the Edge doesn't respond to MIDI notes. Moogs with MIDI and CV don't do that. MIDI notes transpose the CV signal in realtime. - When the sequencer ISN'T running, the Edge plays MIDI notes. If SEQ PITCH MOD is on, the oscillator(s) are modified by the value of the step the sequencer is stopped on. And if you release the note (Note Off) while it is still audible, it actually changes the pitch of the playing note from the MIDI note value back to the value of the oscillator's frequency knob. Yes I usually have my SQ-1s clocked with the trigger outputs of my TR-606. That works really well because the 606 has two triggers and you can change the trigger pattern while it’s running. Also check out the Doepfer Dark Time. It’s usually much cheaper at Thomann even with shipping. You can do similar things with Roland Boutiques with an EXT CLK IN (which is actually a trigger input). The JX-08 lets you choose 1-64 steps then you can clock it with a drum machine trigger. The JX-08 has a really good sequencer that does automation, too. You know the SQ-1 is based on the sequencer module for the original MS-20. Look up the Korg SQ-10 on Reverb.

[@MyLittleSynths]

Do you have any music or videos of your sequencer experiments? I'm feeling inspired now chatting with you about sequencers. Have you ever heard Stanislav Tolkachev's work? He uses dualing sequencers to create sort of evolving looping dissonent melodies. I particularly love his less techno experimental tracks. I have been wanting to pick up an Edge for a while now to combine midi with the sequencer. Shame it dosnt work quite right. Can you advance the sequencer with a pulse from, say your 606 and play midi in from a keyboard with out sending it a midi clock? I feel inlove with this concept of modulation sequencers in using Dave Smith stuff (mopho/tetra/evolver). They all have it, but its a pain to program and fixed step lengths. By the way, the 606 is deffinently an over looked drum machine, you have great taste in gear! 😆

[@glenesis]

Been wanting to get a second sq1 to sequence my first sq1.

[@glenesis]

Agreed. SQ1 soars as a performance instrument.

[@snorrevonflake]

I love it, wish they had made an updated version sometime, especially that mechanical switch for the modes is a problem, signals interrupt when you turn that. Also the position of the usb power plug, when you want to use multiple units you can't have them on top of each other.

[@MyLittleSynths]

Yes! The usb thing is super annoying, of course battery's will solve that issue. There are 90 dagree USB B cables on Amazon that help, but still can't stack them the way we want. The fact that korg put the auto power down feature in there makes me think they ment it to be used on battery, USB must be an after thought.

[@big-smoke-rc]

@@MyLittleSynthsdon't bother with the battery! It does NOT last as long as you'd think!

[@Xanaduum]

There's the SQ 64.

[@jmoffitt36]

SQ1 is a cv Swiss Army knife. Wish Korg made a slider version. Then again the compact size is nice.

[@MyLittleSynths]

Yes, its a very fun, inspiring, and useful little box. I have used it for midi over usb to control vst instruments and found the hands on nature made the interaction with the laptop alot more physical and enjoyable. I mapped channel A to pitch, and B to filter envalope amount 😉! Thats where it becomes powerful when you use part b for a differnt function then pitch. Easily done with cv, becomes a bit more challenging to do it with midi.

[@amphitheatre]

@@MyLittleSynths how do you map B to a separate midi out channel? haven't figured it out.

[@msp612]

@@amphitheatreit defaults to the next MIDI channel that you’ve set to A. So if A is set to Ch 1, B defaults to Ch 2, and so on…. A Ch 2 then B is Ch 3 etc etc

[@woef]

i miss my micromonsta. i had one of the lowest numbers, glad to see it get some love. this setup looks a lot like mine did too sp404og micromonsta2 keystep pro

[@MyLittleSynths]

Yes! Don't think I will ever part ways with the micromonsta. Deffinently one of my top 5 favorite synths of all times!

[@agerven]

The great things about the SQ-1 are it´s simplicity, and it´s versitality. I much prefer it over the Mother-32 (a.k.a. Crave) sequencer, which is pure hell to control.

[@MyLittleSynths]

Have not used the mother-32 sequencer. But I do think alot of the magic of the DFAM/edge comes from the 8 steps firing a gate each step it takes. That repetitive nature makes it hypnotic. Obviously 1 to 16 steps with gates is far mor versatile. I'd imagine sq-1 + Crave is a nice combination. Can you run the Crave sequencer and the sq-1 to create shifting patterns? I need to do a video on using 2 separate sequences to pitch on one synth.

[@garyspong]

Great info, but I hate to be a downer to your viewers: if you speed up playback to 1.5 you might enjoy it. Without a script and zero editing it kind of drags.

[@MyLittleSynths]

All good, I appreciate constructive criticism. Thank you for watching. Yes, it's very free form and low production quality. But I want to keep it loose and casual as I want the music and toying around gear to always be my main focus. Making videos is more of a way to nerd out and find like-minded people to chat with.

[@mastaboog749]

I really like my Korg SQ64 tho my SQ1 gets used from time to time

[@MyLittleSynths]

I really want to try a sq64! Love the look of the machine, but had a close friend tell me it wasn't a good fit for my more live style of production, that one has to stop the sequencer quite frequently. Idk.

[@mastaboog749]

@@MyLittleSynths I love it for live production, super easy to edit on the fly and I like controlling multiple devices. It has a keyboard mode also. I got mine super cheap if they ever do the super sale again i think you might like it.

[@mmryspaces]

Could you please share a link to the caps you used on the potentiometers? Thanks!

[@MyLittleSynths]

Got you, www.thonk.co.uk/shop/micro-knobs/

[@sevollit92]

I have a question. Can korg sq 1 tweak each note with +/- 5v instead of half tone like the real korg sq-10? I can't find info about it, thanks so much for the video

[@MyLittleSynths]

Not sure if I understand the question 100%, but if you look at the grey text on the machine, that's the shift functions. It can do 1v, 2v, or 5v ranges. So I'd say yes.

[@sevollit92]

​@@MyLittleSynths Sorry maybe i did not explain properly. What i'm trying to say is in korg sq 10 when you are tweaking knows of each step, you can set the note slighly detuned of C for example or set it beetween C and C# (quarter tone). It is possible to do that in the korg SQ-1? Thanks so much

[@sevollit92]

@@MyLittleSynths This is an example where you can see how works sq-10 tunning each step kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKOxg4GihaprfNU

[@MyLittleSynths]

Very interesting, mid gate tweaking, almost like a slide or gluide. I will have to try this out. I'm almost 100% it won't work with midi, but I will try using CV and report back. I don't have a ms20 or any Hz/V gearz so cant test that one. I assume you saw this video, kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGazk2aFgJeLaqMsi=0ce4nWSkuIWmlFRY

[@MyLittleSynths]

Yes, you can with cv, get out of tune or chromatic scale, especially if you use the 1v range! Canot do this with midi. But I have a trick to get out side of traditional tunning on most synths. It will be in my next 'Tribe Tips' video!

[@scovilleassortment3829]

Would this work with the ASM hydrasynth?

[@nevets68]

Yes.

[@DJ-Lazy-Lodger]

i have 4 sequencers playing each other;-)

[@MyLittleSynths]

Are you advancing or stepping one sequencer with the gate from another? Creating strange polyrhythms? For a long time I have used two sequencers, usually electribe and sq1, generally one to note and one to filter cut off or release. but recently I have become interested in more complex sequencer interplay.

[@DJ-Lazy-Lodger]

i connected them via midi and wait for the errorlike interferences when the arp of the microfreak directs the drum pattern in the circuit tracks for instance.@@MyLittleSynths

[@MyLittleSynths]

@@DJ-Lazy-Lodger 🤯, you have a new subscriber!

[@MyLittleSynths]

@@DJ-Lazy-Lodger not sure if you have instgram, instagram.com/p/CI85-D4BzX8/?igsh=Y2ZwNTJiNDl6dmIw But this was feeding the electribe's 4 note sequencer a new note every so often causing it to over write in a rotating fashion. Closest I have to glitchy sequencer madness.

[@joeyrossiter3763]

It can't store sequences, right?