Need help syncing Volca Drum with SQ-1..

Kroy · Post by **Kroy** » Sun Dec 22, 2019 8:01 am

Here he has Volca Beats and SQ-1 synced.
He is cabling Sync Out on Volca Beats to Sync In on Sq-1.
When I try this with Volca Drum and SQ-1 nothing happens on SQ-1 when I start Volca Drum.
I have tried changing Sync polarity on SQ-1 and Sync input/output on Volca Drum to Once a step.
is there something I'm missing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNmdlX3jBYU&t=409s

slug · Post by **slug** » Sun Dec 22, 2019 9:22 pm

Sync does not contain a start/stop message. If you wish to start both your units by pressing play on the master unit, you need to connect them via the MIDI connector.

Kroy · Post by **Kroy** » Mon Dec 23, 2019 4:09 am

slug wrote:Sync does not contain a start/stop message. If you wish to start both your units by pressing play on the master unit, you need to connect them via the MIDI connector.

Ah, thank you. I guess he must be using USB/DAW to send SQ-1 CTL msg in the above video then..
Using the MIDI connector - it seems to work well but there is one little shortcoming I can't seem to find a solution to - if I have the default MIDI Ch settings on both units (SQ-1 MIDI Ch1, Korg Drum MIDI Ch 1-6), then the SQ-1 plays Part 1 on the Drum. If I set the Drum to MIDI Ch 16, it plays Part 5. I have the latest firmware installed on the Drum (0114).
Is there a way to set this up so the SQ-1 just sends Sync to the Drum without playing any of the Drum's parts?

slug · Post by **slug** » Mon Dec 23, 2019 4:39 am

Kroy wrote:Is there a way to set this up so the SQ-1 just sends Sync to the Drum without playing any of the Drum's parts?

Yes - just have the SQ1 set to any MIDI channel that is not being used by the Volca Drum, including the global channel which may be 16?
In this case usually channel 7 would be fine, certainly works with the test i have just done. If you havent already, i would recommend updating your Volca Drum to the latest version as some MIDI changes were implemented.

Kroy · Post by **Kroy** » Mon Dec 23, 2019 4:50 am

slug wrote:
Kroy wrote:Is there a way to set this up so the SQ-1 just sends Sync to the Drum without playing any of the Drum's parts?
Yes - just have the SQ1 set to any MIDI channel that is not being used by the Volca Drum, including the global channel which may be 16?
In this case usually channel 7 would be fine, certainly works with the test i have just done. If you havent already, i would recommend updating your Volca Drum to the latest version as some MIDI changes were implemented.

Perfect! SQ-1 to MIDI Ch7 and Volca Drum leave on MIDI Ch 1-6 (default). (yes, I have the latest Firmware).
Thank you for your help!

TheDoctor · Post by **TheDoctor** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 7:32 pm

You can actually start the Volca together with just a Sync cable. You have to plug a cable on the Sync in of the master Volca, hit play on all the others, you'll notice they won't start and as soon you remove the Sync In cable from the master they will start together.