Korg SQ-1

Great sequencing tool, especially for the price. Two independent (though not independently clockable) or chainable CV/gate rows with pitch quantizing, CV range, slide, step jump, fwd/back/pendulum/random play mode, etc. Huge amount of depth to this little guy. The same features in a eurorack sequencer module would cost hundreds. There's some undocumented features regarding gate polarity, etc. Needs a real manual -- the poster sized multi-lingual instruction sheet folded down to the size of a matchbook and printed on tissue paper is garbage. I've noticed it has a tendency to scramble my sequences between power cycles -- after turning it back on, the notes have been shifted up or down randomly if they were in that "in-between" zone (seems like a rounding error kind of thing). I've speculated it's to do with unstable voltage from the USB power, maybe a solid 3.3v regulator on perfboard could help here. Huge amount of sequencing utility for the price, great addition to a modular system or cv/gate keyboard synths.

Pretty cool device, and well built. I can see it being really useful with a Eurorack setup. I got it to supplement the lack of a sequencer on my new Korg Prologue 8, and it works decently for that, but there are a number of things that drive me crazy about it: 1) Programming individual notes with knobs and no screen to give you feedback about which note your turning it to make it feel like I am operating it with a blindfold on. 2) Can't save sequences. 3) Defaults to key of C, which just makes it tedious to program things in other keys. Between these three things, I may just return it and try to figure something else out. But again, I can see this being a very useful tool in a modular setup.

Solid build quality and many connections. Useful for sequencing 2 synths with CV/Gate (Hertz/Octave and/or Volts/Octave) or a synth and CV parameter. It has major/minor key modes but currently locked to C for both. Tempo syncing has some weird quirks depending on if you're using USB or external clock/gate clicks. A great portable sequencer that's instantly useful or MIDI and CV gear.

I'm not sure why I wanted a sequencer limited to 16 steps. Always a hassle setting up with pro tools. Right now what I'm mainly using this for is just to sync parameters of the ms20 with pro tools.

I now own five KORG SQ1 sequencers. I use these with my PAiA 2700, 4700, and 9700 modular system, and they work great! I also use the SQ1's with my two Behringer Model D synths.

NOT FOR ME I THINK THEY MADE A REALLY BAD JOB ON THIS ONE 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 int...

Incredible for interactive live sequencing of analog synths via CV or MIDI and drum machines and incredibly cheap. You can do stuff like the always evolving arpeggio in "Silent Shout" by The Knife. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uI1KXHJVO8

A really inspiring sequencer that I have used with a lot of my other gear.

FUN! A great little analog sequencer for your CV/Gate analog gear that syncs perfectly to MIDI clock via USB port and provides MIDI out to sync my non-CV/Gate hardware so I can double parts coming off the hardware sequencer. Originally created to go with the DIY MS20 desktop module that flopped, Korg musta made a lot of these because they are basically giving them away now. When I returned my keyboard ARP Odyssey RI to get the module when I heard it was coming out (see my other 2 Odyssey RI reviews) I caught a deal where a few retailers were virtually giving them away as a package with your Odyssey desktop (not a DIY like the MS20 desktop, Korg built it for you) so I went for it. At first I basically ignored this little guy. I tend to PLAY the Odyssey.... but this thing works as a sequencer for any CV synths, so eventually I slapped it into a Moog. I think I've used it with alla my synths now to create some whacked out patterns, sending control voltage to any sections of a synth that have jacks! I really enjoy this little thing. Great for anything from R2D2 noises all the way to vince clark and alan wilder type 'beyond arpegiator' type sequences. Now that I've really gotten going with it I've been enjoying flipping from the forwards-forwards mode over to the far elft up-down, zig-zag mode to fuck with my sequences while wanking filter cutoff or envelope mod around LOL. I started out using this very musically and traditionally but I've rapidly embraced it as a tool for creating burbling, disintegrating mayhem without any additional effects....

You can pretty much guess how this cool little guy is programmed just by looking at the pictures, right? So I will say no more. Very fun, especially if you just set up a pattern randomly and THEN plug it into CV jack on a synth and see what kidna noises it makes.

Are there cooler analog sequencers? You bet, but this does most of what they do and it was free. Its also very easy to program, not unlike an old ARP sequencer with the sliders.... prior to this if I wanted sloppy analog sequencing I had to settle for using my Bassbot to control another synth and the bassbot is a bear to program intelligently just like a real 303. Its also pretty limited compared to this Korg, very linear whereas the Korg will take your music and turn it into something completely new and unexpected if you let it.

It's a funny thing to use it for CV synths. It lacks wide abilities to use it as a MIDI step sequencer. Especially it happens in DAW. But if you have an old synth with no midi - it works.