SQ-1 Pre-Purchase Questions: Staying in Key/Scale

SMK · Post by **SMK** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 11:49 pm

I have been thinking about getting the SQ-1 for my Electribe rig.

After seeing this demo of the SQ-1 and a Volca through midi:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sz13l5h-LY

I have been thinking this would be such a fun external controller to make unique arps and sequences on the fly.

But I have a question regarding the key and scale features.
It appears that you can have the SQ-1 play a C major Scale. I was wondering how well does the unit stay in the pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B when turning any of the knobs when you change pitch during a running sequence. Does it only sound of the pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B, no flats, no sharps? Does does the sound make a stepped sound when turning a knob?

Also the surface plate instructions make it look as if controlling scale and key is something of a CV function. Can Key and Scale selection be used when you are connected by midi, or is this feature only for those you connect this to analog gear that takes in CV?

I noticed that the steps are separated into a CV A and CV B selection of 8 steps. If I am using regular midi ( I have no plans to use CV) will I be losing some steps in the sequence? The video I have referenced seems to show that is not the case.

The SQ-1 has several sequence options. Are there any sequence options I will be missing when using only midi out?

If the SQ-1 can be set to play/ trigger only the notes in C Major then, and through midi, this is what I am looking for.

Last question: How easy is it to change midi channels on the SQ-1, is there a way to change midi channels on the fly? I would need to be able to change midi channels from 1 - 16 during a performance.

I appreciate any help and information on this before I make a purchase. I am really tempted to get the SQ-1.

Any help on this will be greatly appreciated.

roblabs · Post by **roblabs** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 3:05 am

I'd also like these questions answered. After having watched this video, it looks like a great tool to use with Volcas and other cv gear.

A few things I caught, SMK - the dude in the video is using a midi breakout adaptor, like the ones the electribe2 ships with. You use the Sequencer Knob on the top to change how the sequence runs (A only, A and B, etc). So yes, this can be used with Midi in whatever way you choose.

Interested in having the other questions answered, tho!

I think I recall hearing that you can even set up the sequence such that A is routed to one piece of gear, and B to another.

roblabs · Post by **roblabs** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 3:06 am

Also, it looks like you have 4 scale modes - Major, Minor, Chromatic, and Linear. Whats the difference between Linear and Chromatic?

7zark7 · Post by **7zark7** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 4:20 am

SMK wrote:Does it only sound of the pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B, no flats, no sharps?

Correct. Chromatic is every note, linear includes the in-between. Major and minor are just major or minor notes.

SMK wrote:Does does the sound make a stepped sound when turning a knob?

nope.

SMK wrote:Also the surface plate instructions make it look as if controlling scale and key is something of a CV function. Can Key and Scale selection be used when you are connected by midi, or is this feature only for those you connect this to analog gear that takes in CV?

Both

SMK wrote:I noticed that the steps are separated into a CV A and CV B selection of 8 steps. If I am using regular midi ( I have no plans to use CV) will I be losing some steps in the sequence? The video I have referenced seems to show that is not the case.

No, but...

SMK wrote:The SQ-1 has several sequence options. Are there any sequence options I will be missing when using only midi out?

No, but...

SMK wrote:If the SQ-1 can be set to play/ trigger only the notes in C Major then, and through midi, this is what I am looking for.

It does, it is, but...

SMK wrote:Last question: How easy is it to change midi channels on the SQ-1, is there a way to change midi channels on the fly? I would need to be able to change midi channels from 1 - 16 during a performance.

There is not. You cannot change the midi channel send assignment. It is fixed with the A bank outputting on MIDI channel one and the B bank outputting on MIDI channel two, AFAIK.

It's lots of fun though!

-7zark7

SMK · Post by **SMK** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 9:14 am

7zark7-

Thank you so much for the thorough response. Really helpful.

The fact that A bank sends out to Midi 1 and B Bank sends out to Midi 2 sounds pretty cool. Gives me some cool ideas. However this brings up one new question: Since each bank only has 8 steps I notice that in the video I posted the user is triggering 16 notes on the one Midi Channel to the Volca Bass. So is there a setting to make the SQ-1 send 16 stepped notes to a single midi channel? If so, would that be channel 1? How would does this work exactly?

Thank you for time 7zark7!

-SMK

7zark7 · Post by **7zark7** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 6:10 pm

I have only had it for about three weeks and have not experimented with midi out yet. I have been strictly using CV with my MS20 Mini. I will report back as I experiment with midi and my daw.

-7zark7

chris-korg · Post by **chris-korg** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 9:12 am

Hi!

Its´s already a rather old posting but maybe you haven´t seen it yet:
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=95467

SMK · Post by **SMK** » Mon Jul 13, 2015 10:33 am

chris-korg wrote:Hi!

Its´s already a rather old posting but maybe you haven´t seen it yet:
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=95467

Chris-Korg, I looked at your thread and it pretty good but unfortunately it is bringing me more questions than answers. I'm sorta coming down to the wire for a purchase and it is getting down to either the SQ-1 or the Beat Step.

I am looking to add a unit to control sequencing and notes. The E2 and ES2's step editing is not that great for live improvisational performance.

These two videos give me the idea that I can do pretty much what I expect via the midi out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sz13l5h-LY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyOfQhDNbHQ

What I think I am seeing in these videos is the artist is able to make a pattern and then change that pattern to the following variations: ALTERNATE, ORDER, PARALLEL TURN, PARALLEL ORDER, RANDOM.

It also looks like that the musician can use these play back options: GATE ON/OFF, ACTIVE STEP, SLIDE, STEP JUMP

My guess is that if the 2 videos showing all these creative ways to use the SQ-1 to control and manipulate a pattern of notes on a volca keys or volca bass through midi, then I should be able to use the SQ-1 in exactly the same way on the Electribe 2. Right?

Also how well does the SQ-1 stay in key if the major scale option is selected? Again, this will be through midi...no CV.

If you can tell me what are all of the limitations of using SQ-1 for midi such as what pattern options will I lose and what pattern play back options I will also lose using only midi (no CV), this would be a huge help in my decision as to whether I buy this or not.

chris-korg · Post by **chris-korg** » Thu Jul 16, 2015 7:42 pm

SMK wrote:
My guess is that if the 2 videos showing all these creative ways to use the SQ-1 to control and manipulate a pattern of notes on a volca keys or volca bass through midi, then I should be able to use the SQ-1 in exactly the same way on the Electribe 2. Right?

Also how well does the SQ-1 stay in key if the major scale option is selected?
.

1) I do not know Korgs Electribe - so you have to check its Midi-implementation chart what kind of Midi-In-signals it accepts. But if your SQ-1 only sends Midi-notes and gate-lenghts it should work fine

2) SQ-1 stays in C-Major or C-Minor (whatever you select) - no other scale is possible. The "problem" that I have sometimes is that I experience note-jumps (one adjacent note up or down) than I need to do some re-adjustments on the poti.

What I would question in general: why using a SQ-1 in combination with an Electribe (same question for a beatstep)

7zark7 · Post by **7zark7** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 1:19 am

...Not speaking for him, but...

Fun! Inspiration! Happy accidents!

Your setups may be streamlined for live performance, where others may be designed around the creative process.
Similarly, someone may ask about the necessity of an additional arp, when you have a sequencer and can sequence any arp you want.
I'm using an Electribe Sampler, MS20 mini, and SQ-1 happily in sync. The routing options make for lots of interesting experiments. Fun and inspirational. Weakest link now is my computer and soundcard. It's always something.

-7zark7

Frenzies · Post by **Frenzies** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 9:07 am

SMK wrote:7zark7-

Thank you so much for the thorough response. Really helpful.

The fact that A bank sends out to Midi 1 and B Bank sends out to Midi 2 sounds pretty cool. Gives me some cool ideas. However this brings up one new question: Since each bank only has 8 steps I notice that in the video I posted the user is triggering 16 notes on the one Midi Channel to the Volca Bass. So is there a setting to make the SQ-1 send 16 stepped notes to a single midi channel? If so, would that be channel 1? How would does this work exactly?

Thank you for time 7zark7!

-SMK

This. If B is always 1 channel up from A how do you trigger all 16 on one unit?

7zark7 · Post by **7zark7** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 1:32 am

Can you not set your Volca to receive omni?

-7zark7

SMK · Post by **SMK** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 12:44 pm

chris-korg wrote:What I would question in general: why using a SQ-1 in combination with an Electribe (same question for a beatstep)

7zark7 wrote:...Not speaking for him, but...

Fun! Inspiration! Happy accidents!

Your setups may be streamlined for live performance, where others may be designed around the creative process.
Similarly, someone may ask about the necessity of an additional arp, when you have a sequencer and can sequence any arp you want.
I'm using an Electribe Sampler, MS20 mini, and SQ-1 happily in sync. The routing options make for lots of interesting experiments. Fun and inspirational...

-7zark7

7zark7, you NAILED IT!!!!!

Yes the E2 has a great sequencer, but like any synth or sampler, not all sequencers are designed alike. The SQ-1 has a simplified way of triggering notes. you launch your 8 steps and then twist the knobs to select your note in the scale of your choice and you can have these rhythmic arppagiated sounds for your volca or in my case the E2. The other cool thing about the SQ-1 is by the twist of one of the selectors the patterns can be drastically changed, which again, goes back to the original question I asked you about...and still waiting for an answer on:

1. Are pattern features, ALTERNATE, ORDER, PARALLEL TURN, PARALLEL ORDER, RANDOM available when you send midi only notes to your hardware?

2. Are these play back options, GATE ON/OFF, ACTIVE STEP, SLIDE, STEP JUMP, available through Midi Out?

Chris I am only looking for the SQ-1 to send Midi-notes to my E2. I am already aware that the SQ-1 will not send midi note below C3. Something you posted about in one of your videos. If you can respond to the simple above questions regarding midi, that would be a real help.

Also in you comment on keeping in scale you mentioned:

chris-korg wrote: The "problem" that I have sometimes is that I experience note-jumps (one adjacent note up or down) than I need to do some re-adjustments on the poti.

So, lets say you select C Major, and the note jumps; does the note jump out of scale, like to a minor note or does the note jump in scale? Please clarify.

Thanks for your help.

chris-korg · Post by **chris-korg** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:50 pm

pattern features: work
play back options: work - except "slide"
"note jump" is within the scale

7zark7 · Post by **7zark7** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:58 pm

Confirmed.
The answer to both of your questions is yes, and yes it stays in scale.
Just get one!

-7zark7

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SQ-1 Pre-Purchase Questions: Staying in Key/Scale

SQ-1 Pre-Purchase Questions: Staying in Key/Scale

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