Korg - SQ-1 Compact Analogue 2x8 Step Sequencer

I've used an SQ-1 for a while now, and I've just ordered a second. My son already has three of them. And we use them far more than any other sequencers. But I wouldn't be likely to use them for live gigs - for that I'd go for something like my Beatstep Pro for the ability to reproduce (multiple) full arrangements on cue. The SQ-1 can't do that, and it is quite fiddly - it's almost impossible to dial in exactly the notes you want in a hurry and, instead of arrangements of multiple patterns you only get one 16-step or two 8-step patterns. And the manual is just a single page - it tells you what all the controls are for but there's very little explanation of what you can achieve with them. On the other hand. First, it's well-built, feels solid and so far, they've all been completely reliable (unlike, say, my BSP). And it's actually very easy to use when you start getting into it. It's more about getting hands-on and experimenting. It really doesn't matter if you don't know exactly what you're doing at first, it might even be an advantage in some ways. For example, I switched it on yesterday with no idea what was set up on it. So I connected it up to a little Model D synth - and clicked round playing all the notes in a zig zag pattern first, then first row followed by second row, backwards and forwards pendulum, rows separated (so I only heard one of the two 8-step patterns at a time - I think row two must have been a bassline, with higher notes on row one) and random order (my favourite, especially when I'm using it for modulation). Then I played with the speed, clicked the synth up and down octaves - and, as always, ideas just started falling out of it. Ideas I would never have dreamed of using a standard sequencer. Ideas in spades too - some very weird, some very musical. From there you start changing the odd note here and there, and shaping things more to your taste. Or taking steps out to experiment with different time sigs. And, when you hit on something you really like, it's easy enough to recreate the sequence in another sequencer or a DAW for re-use. Plus you can send the outputs to anything you like. So it's very well suited to a modular environment where you can have your gates routed to clock a Sample & Hold, or use them to trip switches and have CV controlling the speed of an LFO, or modulation intensity (anything with a socket...) rather than just the pitch of a VCO. (Using one row for pitch, and the other for accents - routed to, say, cutoff frequency or envelope intensity - can create a lot of dynamic movement in a simple bassline and funkify it all up) I use it with my Doepfer modular a lot, but it's also been a particularly good partner for Korg's MS-20 and Odyssey, Behringer Neutron, MakeNoise 0-Coast, etc. You can even get sequences to change key - run both rows in parallel, use row one for your basic sequence, then activate one note at a time manually on row two. Add the two CVs, feed that to your oscillators and by changing which step on row two is active, you get key changes. For a low-cost unit that gets you into step sequencing and gives you a wealth of possibilities to explore and experiment with, there's nothing to beat it. But if you're used to sequencing on a DAW and expect something similar, you're more likely to be disappointed.

What a flexible little sequencer this is. It's very easy to create note information in controlled voltage/gate, outputting on one or two channels simultaneously plus outputting digital data via midi and USB. Sequences can be altered or edited on the fly. The construction is robust, tidy and very usable. Certainly good value for the money.

Just received this gadget this morning (12/08/15) and was very excited when I was unboxing it. Got it plugged into my MiniNova synth straight away. Feels strong & sturdy, well made and solid buttons. It was amazing, got some great bassline sequences, absolutely great for what I wanted it for. Sounds fantastic. I'm only a novice at this music-making and just starting out on my musical journey, so this machine is well recommended.

No indication of notes being dialled in. I use with a tuner on the output of my synth.

not done a whole lot with this yet but if ya think its for you then it likely is get on youtube give it a search it can be used in lots of ways i love it

Well it's a great toy to play with and can produce some interesting stuff driving my Korg MS20-Mini, it's well made, tough and has quite a lot of features. However this really is just a toy, using it in a studio for example is a quite miserable experience. Unlike the Synth it drives there are no marks that you can record for settings, what's more the tiny little knobs that adjust speed, tone, etc. just have very little accuracy, getting this to repeat a previously defined pitch and pattern is a real problem. I am grateful to the user community for getting help on setting it up to attach to my synth as the default settings do not work and even the patching for the cables is not easy to find on the Korg website. They tell you that this CAN do interesting things but not HOW to do them. Very disappointed as Korg make good products (like the MS20) and usually document them well, this seems to have slipped through the net. Of course if you want a groovy toy to do Electro-Jazz compositions in Starbucks then this might be your preferred tool.

The manual could be a little bit more helpful, but overall it's a very solid sequencer, especially for this price.

Bought as a gift and the recipient reports being very pleased.

Very sturdy little sequencer that pairs well with the Korg MS-20 Mini. Strong metal body with solid control knobs that a well laid out.

Urządzenie przyszło nie kompletne ale sprawne, używam 2 x KORG Sekwencer SQ-1 do grania super sprawa

This little box is a great value and fills an important need for anyone looking for a hardware sequencer. I have mine paired with a Moog Sub Phatty. It's built like a tank - the metal box is compact and extremely sturdy, and the selector switch, knobs, jacks and buttons are all tight. Select from various pattern step directions, turn individual notes on and off, and select the pitch for each step with the knobs over 1 to 3 octaves. You can select pitch in C Major or C minor scales, chromatically or in "linear mode," which is cool for microtonal pieces. It can output 2 discrete sequences of 8 notes long, through 2 different CV or midi channels, or a single 16 note sequence; genius! The nature of having to dial-in your note without seeing what the note is, along with modes that produce poly rhythmic sequences with Volcas and other gear, makes it a very creative tool, lending itself to lots of exploring and happy accidents. Minor gripes/suggestions: while the "hunt for the right note" process lends itself to creativity, a single display that showed the note value as you turned each knob would have been helpful and a time saver; especially important if you are making a sequence in chromatic mode and in a different scale/key as the defaults. A tempo divider, like the Volca keys (1/2, 1/4) would have given the SQ-1 some additional versatility. While the SQ-1 is well-built, it's shape is high and a bit awkward with my other gear. I understand their is a lot of extra space inside, and would have preferred it to be 3/4" thinner or in a format similar to the Volca series. I would have paid a little more for these extras, but as it stands, the SQ-1 has to be a unique and essential piece of any hardware synth setup.

Ich habe mir diesen Sequenzer bestellt da er CV/Gate ausgänge sowie einen Midi Ausgang (via 3,5 klinke) besitzt und damit sehr flexibel einzusetzen ist. Ein einfacher 16 Step Sequenzer der aber durch verschiedene modi zu punkten weiss! Mann muss sich auch nicht am festen Takt bzw. Steps halten und kann sehr ausgefallene Takte mit der "Active Step" funktion realisieren. Slide funktion ist auch am start :) Der Sequenzer kann verschiedene Steuerspannungen ausgeben von 1V-8V. Die 3,5 sync in-out buchsen sind sehr interessant für leute die besitzer der volca serie oder der neuen electribe sind! Sehr interessant sind die verschiedenen Laufrichtungen die durch einen Dreh-Poti ausgewählt werden können. Der Sequenzer kann per USB oder 2x Mingnon 1,5v Batterien betrieben werden, wobei er mit Batterien nicht lange durchhält... Mann kann den Sequenzer wohl auch über USB an eine DAW ankoppeln, aber dazu kann ich keine informationen geben da ich nur Hardware benutzte... :))) Ich werde mir in absehbarer Zeit wohl noch ein SQ-1 zulegen :)

Excellent séquencer pour synthétiseur, compatible avec le synthétiseur historique "vintage" Korg MS 20. Configurable en midi mais pas que, donc...Nombreuses fonctionnalités et grande souplesse d'utilisation. La boîte d'emballage est un vrai petit coffret protecteur pour le transport.