SynthesizersKorg SQ-1

 

Manufacturer’s Note:

The SQ-1 is a compact step sequencer with 2 x 8 steps. It’s wealth of connection jacks allows it to be connected to the MS-20 and a variety of other synthesizers. Vintage analog synths or the latest compact synths can be controlled from this single unit. You can also switch between a variety of synthesizer modes and use the step buttons to create performances overflowing with spontaneity, just as when using a volca unit

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SQ-1 Features

SPEED knob

Controls the speed at which the sequencer runs

DUTY knob

Adjusts the duty cycle of the gate signal. Higher values make the notes sound longer.

If the sequencer mode is  or  , the setting of this knob is ignored, and the duty cycle is controlled by channel B.

Play/Stop button

Starts/stops the sequencer FUNCTION button By holding down this button and pressing the STEP buttons of each channel, you can edit the CV output parameters of each channel. The button is lit up while you are editing these settings.

CV A RANGE, CV B RANGE

These parameters specify the voltage of the channel A or channel B CV output jacks. Set this to either 1V, 2V, 5V, or 8V [Hz/V] as appropriate for the device that’s connected.

Note: The voltage setting affects the range of pitches that are sounded. For the appropriate voltage setting, refer to the manual of the connected device.

CV A BEHAVIOR, CV B BEHAVIOR

These parameters specify how the setting of each step’s knob will affect the output when using channel A or channel B to control the pitch.

• LINEAR: The setting of each step’s knob is output without any adjustment.
• MINOR: The setting of each step’s knob is adjusted to a minor scale for output.
• MAJOR: The setting of each step’s knob is adjusted to a major scale for output.
• CHROMA: The setting of each step’s knob is adjusted to a chromatic scale for output.

Step knobs

These specify the value for each step of channel A and channel B.

Step buttons

These edit the parameter that’s specified by the MODE button.

MODE/CLEAR button

This button lets you edit the parameters of channel A and channel B. The editable parameter changes each time you press a button. Use the step buttons of each channel to edit the setting.

The settings are reset if you hold down the FUNCTION button and press the MODE button (GATE ON/OFF: all steps on, ACTIVE STEP: all steps on, SLIDE: all steps off).

GATE ON/OFF

This function specifies whether each step’s gate output is on or off. Steps that are off (button unlit) do not output a signal from the CV/GATE jacks during playback.

ACTIVE STEP

This feature specifies whether each step of the sequence is on or off. Steps that are off (button unlit) are disabled, and are excluded from the sequence.

SLIDE

This feature allows you to specify how the value changes between steps. If this is on (button lit up), the pitch or value changes smoothly from one step to the next. If the sequencer mode is , the settings of each step of channel B will be used.

STEP JUMP

If the sequencer is running, pressing a step button will cause the sequencer jump immediately to that step. If the sequencer is stopped, pressing a step button (the button lit up) makes the sequencer start running from that step.

Adjusting the Global Settings

If you turn on the power while pressing the Play/Stop button, you can set the following global parameters. When you’ve finished editing the settings, press the Power button. The settings will be saved and the SQ-1 will restart.

Sequence step resolution

Use the SEQUENCER MODE selector to specify the resolution of the steps

 = Quarter Notes

 = Eight Notes

 = Sixteenth Notes

GATE output polarity of channel A and channel B

When the MODE button lit is lit up + (positive polarity) is selected. When the MODE button is unlit (negative polarity) – polarity is selected. With the factory settings enabled, + (positive polarity) is selected. Set this as appropriate for the device that’s connected.

Auto power-off function

To enable the auto power-off function, make the Play/Stop button light up. With the original factory settings, this feature is enabled. To disable the auto power-off function, make the Play/Stop button unlit.

SYNC IN and SYNC OUT polarity

When the MODE button is lit + polarity (rise) is selected. When the MODE button is unlit – polarity (fall) is selected. With the factory settings enabled, + (rise) is selected. Set this as appropriate for the device that’s connected.

SEQUENCER MODE Selector

Specifies the sequencer mode

: Channel A and channel B run alternately in units of one step; signals are output from the CV-A OUT-GATE and CV-B OUT-GATE jacks. Use channel A and channel B to control pitch or other parameters.

: The steps run in the order of channel A → channel B; signals are output from the CV-A OUT-GATE and CV-B OUT-GATE jacks. Use channel A and channel B to control pitch or other parameters.

: Channel A and channel B run in parallel, and reverse direction at the last step. Use channel A and channel B to control pitch or other parameters. Channel A signals are output from the CV-A OUT-GATE jacks, and channel B signals are output from the CV-B OUT-GATE jacks.

: Channel A and channel B run in parallel. Use channel A and channel B to control pitch or other parameters. Channel A signals are output from the CV-A OUT-GATE jacks, and channel B signals are output from the CV-B OUT-GATE jacks.

: Only channel A runs; signals are output from the CV-A OUT-GATE and CV-B OUT-GATE jacks. Use channel A to control pitch or other parameters. Use channel B to control the duty cycle of the gate signal.

: Only channel A runs; signals are output from the CV-A OUT-GATE and CV-B OUT-GATE jacks. Use channel A to control pitch or other parameters. Channel B controls how smoothly the values for each step of channel A are connected.

: The steps of channel A run randomly; signals are output from the CV-A OUT-GATE and CV-B OUT-GATE jacks. Use channel A to control pitch or other parameters. Use channel B to control the duty cycle of the gate signal.

: The steps of channel A and channel B run randomly; signals are output from the CV-A OUT-GATE and CV-B OUTGATE jacks. Use channel A and channel B to control pitch or other parameters.

SQ-1: MIDI Implementation

You can connect the SQ-1’s MIDI OUT connector to an external MIDI device and control it. The MIDI messages that the SQ-1 can transmit are listed in the MIDI implementation chart.

MIDI channel setting

The channel A and channel B step buttons correspond to MIDI channels 1‒16. Press the button of the corresponding channel to make it light up

Korg SQ-1 Resources:

Tips & Tutorial Videos

 

Related Articles

• Using the SQ-1 with the MS-20 Mini
• How to Use the SQ-1 with Behringer Model D