Korg - SQ-1 Compact Analogue 2x8 Step Sequencer

Product Information

When the classic MS-20 analog synthesizer appeared in 1978, it had a trusted partner in the SQ-10 step sequencer. Now, after thirty years, the MS-20 has been reborn, and the SQ-10 has evolved into the more modern SQ-1. You hereby agree to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the aforementioned territory, without regards to conflicts of law provisions.

You can specify the way in which the step knobs control the pitch. The knob values can specify the pitch directly, or they can specify the closest note in a major, minor, or chromatic scale. Of all the gear I have bought, the Korg SQ-1 has been one of the toughest, most reliable, and useful.I love this method, which is reminiscent of using something like a Novation launchpad. If it’s lit you know you will be in key. There are all the usual suspects when it comes to scale choice but I couldn’t find a way to save my own custom scales. A small omission maybe but one that I hope can be fixed in a firmware update. A very decent upgrade with genuinely pro features, that cements its position in the top handful of mini keyboard controllers available. When the classic MS-20 analog synthesizer appeared in 1978, it had a trusted partner in the SQ-10 step sequencer. Now, after thirty years, the MS-20 has been reborn as the MS-20 mini, and the SQ-10 has evolved into the more modern SQ-1. If any part of this Agreement is found by a court of competent jurisdiction or other competent authority to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable then such part shall be severed from the remainder of this Agreement which will continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

The MS20M is a thing of rare beauty and even to someone like myself, barely capable of assembling a sandwich, there’s no denying the DIY angle brings you closer to your new instrument. Whether this model represents the ultimate MS20 probably boils down to the importance you assign to having an attached keyboard, to the idea of playing a complete instrument. With both popular CV and gate standards provided, plus MIDI on any channel, at least it shouldn’t be difficult to find a suitable controller. It doesn’t even stop there as there are plenty of other features that I haven’t had the space to go into, such as the polyrhythms, ability to play your sequences in quarter notes, triplets and more. Suffice it to say this is a solidly built, comprehensive sequencer that is both musical and very intuitive. You don't even have to worry about being able to program well as, if you want, you can let the SQ-1 harmonically quantise the pitches of each knob/step to the nearest chromatic note or to major/minor scales. Korg reserves the right to make modifications to the Licensed Program and to the support services set out in clause 7 of this agreement (referred to in this agreement as “the Services”) without prior notification to you. Korg warrants that the Licensed Program when properly used will provide the facilities and functions as described in the accompanying documentation but does not warrant that the operation of the Licensed Program will be uninterrupted or error-free.

Compact Control for Your Synths!

Please be aware that this service may be modified or terminated at any time by the Company without specific notice. You may not duplicate, alter, modify, rent, lease, resell, assign, loan, sub-license, distribute the whole or part of the Licensed Program, or make derivative works based on what is contained in the Licensed Program. (However, it is not included in this restriction that you create derivative works based on the data file(s).) Korg, in no event, will be liable for the direct, derivative, collateral or consequential damage caused by the use of or the inability of using the Licensed Program (including but not limited to damage of data, lost commercial profit, interruption of work, lost commercial information), regardless of the degree of damages, and even if Korg was aware of the possibility of such damages or the possibility of a claim for damage from a third party in advance. As a connector, the SQ-1 provides two CV/GATE OUT channels, the standard MIDI OUT and USB MIDI, littleBits out (to connect to the littleBits synth kit by littleBits Electronics Inc.), plus the SYNC IN/OUT channel that allows you to connect to the volca series and monotribe. Compact and complete with all the functions you need, the SQ-1 is the ideal hardware sequencer. You can also set the CV output voltages (1V, 2V, 5V V/Oct or 8V Hz/V options) for interfacing with different equipment by holding function and specific step buttons, so even more eclectic CV/Gate gear is accommodated.

Korg shall not be obliged to provide support services for any Third Party Software supplied (whether relating to operating methods, defects, or otherwise). Since these two methods differ completely in both the range of change and the type of change produced by change in the CV voltage, you can't play correct pitches if the synthesizer's CV IN uses a different standard than the SQ-1's CV OUT setting. If the SQ-1's CV RANGE is set to 1V, 2V, or 5V, it uses the V/Oct standard. If the CV RANGE is set to 8V, it uses the Hz/V standard. Change the SQ-1's CV RANGE setting as described above in step 2) of “How do I connect the SQ-1 for use with the MS-20M” or step 2) of “How do I connect the SQ-1 for use with the MS-20 mini.” It is so beloved, I named mine after my late, great little terrier "Ole Rusty." I would have never bestowed such an honored name on a piece of gear unless that gear was worthy. If supplied in conjunction with any Korg instrument or equipment, such Third Party Software shall only relate to the non-essential functions of such instrument or equipment. It allows you to perform the sequence in a linear fashion, a zig-zag pattern, a ping-ping pattern, or a random pattern. You can select which step to begin from, and you can turn steps on and off and even use glide.Also the performance controls taken from the Volca range are a godsend for spicing up sequences and live shows, so you can use Step Jump to instantly trigger steps manually, Active Step to change the length of sequences, Gate on/off to add/remove steps and Slide mode for smooth transitions between notes and 303-style workouts. Liberate yourself from the numerically-bound parameter editing that's typical on a DAW; you'll enjoy truly musical inspiration as you train your ears and concentrate on what your fingertips are doing. Don't miss the experience of music that's driven by your instinct. Support services such as technical support or upgrade support for this product are provided according to the support service policies of Korg’s distributors applicable in each country. All things considered, the SQ-1's power really impresses for the money, though it misses swing and song mode, plus there's no apparent way to transpose or store favourite sequences currently (all software updateable hopefully). In the event that Third Party Software is supplied, you agree to be bound by and to observe any terms and conditions relating to the use of such Third Party Software.