Korg SQ-64 V2 Sequencer review
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- Korg released a new firmware for the SQ-64 that sorts out many of the issues I highlighted in my original review. In this video, I'll take you through the new features and demonstrate why this is a great update.
One feature i forgot to mention is that you can add notes in regular step mode by playing a note on the Iso keyboard while holding a step. You can also use this to build chords one note at a time.
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Hades:
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Nymphes:
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Thank you so much for this Robin 🎉 I’ve been on the fence and the price right now is compelling. 😊
The SQ-64 goes well with the volca FM/FM2 ;-D
I am enjoying mine so far, one month in.
I got it for about $120. Totally worth it. The update fixed a lot of things
V2 is a blessing ! Hope they keep the updates rolling. I love mine
I may not know what I'm talking about, BUT:
It would be SO smart and _amazingly KORG_ of KORG to open this up and allow the community cook up custom firmwares.
For exposure and legacy, if nothing else.
You can feel perfection in this hardware.
It is NOT hard to imagine KORG's customers helping this unit become ubiquitous like the Minilogue or Volcas.
KORG- I believe that if you allow this access (and keep the price affordable), for years to come, your competition may seldom be observed without a KORG in command.
@Rompler_Rocco companies that discontinue a product without opening it up to be further mended and maintained should be fined for planned obsolescence making E waste. I don’t think we should have to rely on the goodwill of corporations. Think of how much products are being made with crucial materials and massive pollution via factories in unregulated countries that poison their people to make our companies and investors rich while we get products that last for 3 to 10 years before obsolescence by design.
Incredible video! If I watch it 10 more times, I might figure out how to use mine 😅
So much better. Let's hope v3 makes the arp function more useful.
Great to see you back Robin, hope you had a good Christmas!
Thanks for this! Korg makes great products, but their tutorials are...lacking. You have showed me a lot of features I would not have found anywhere else.
Humble. Generous. Curious. Honest. Sometimes bemused. This is why I enjoy watching your videos. You really bring yourself into these videos in a way that is very different from a lot of other SynthTubers. Keep being you!
Thanks! I appreciate the comment.
Robin, the Arp is seriously one of the best features - but it should be called Strum! Use it with 2hp Pluck, and think of it like strumming a guitar. It gives you instant chords/polyphony in eurorack. There are very few (any?) sequencers with this functionality - strum chords, into Monsoon/chronoblob/Punk distortion. Try it!
Great tip
Chords should improve greatly, with chords variations. I agree it is one of the best features that has a ton of room for improvement.
It's not an Arp. And if you have to turn the tempo down to min for it to be useable - what is the point? This instrument has so many features where the developers were just trying to cram things in, instead of thinking of what they are doing and just making the most used features easy. Typical... lost in the details (again). It's a "you get what you paid for" sequencer.
Agreed. The strum used on a monosynth is fantastic. Keystep37 has one, too. One of its best features in my opinion.
It is so good now. I bought it on sale to use as more midi to cv from my daw, but I really love being able to program 64 steps with all in view. I'm sure they will keep fixing the little issues and one day this will be a favorite sequencer of mine.
Jeesh!!! Thank you Robin I was going mad trying to change the sub track for recording! Nowhere in the manuel-you ledge 🙌
Brilliant review of the new controller (yes, I know, not new, but 2.0 makes it so much more yummy) thank you❤
Many thanks for posting, good explanations of its various features, with a twist every now and then. I'm still unraveling some of its more obscure mysteries, but your vids are definitely helping with that process.
Great video... as you would say, "Ace". I learned a ton and you really helped with this 2.0 version of the SQ64. Great job.
Glorious video! I am one of the lucky (or gullible) folks who finally couldn’t say no to an SQ-64 at the current Reverb Korg USA Store price of $129 USD. I am primarily planning on using it for MIDI, lest that deep discount were to become a future fortune spent on all the modules that the CV and Gate outputs could handle. (I do have effects pedals, and also maybe one or two-of many-synths, that can receive the CV and gate, but my brain oddly has not proven “compatible with Eurorack”, despite a proclivity for hardware/DAWless). Cheers!
Yeah I don’t have a distinct need for it but the $129 price got me too.
More great deals from Korg for the US only. 😞
THANK YOU! This is what I needed to hear at 3:40. I've been working with a new hardware rig run by an SQ64. I do like it a lot and it was a champ during my first live gig in 9 years. But I keep wondering what it's best for and is that for me. And now hearing you say it made me realize my gut instinct to balance monosynths with s polysynth or two uses this the best.
you have the most sympathetic reviews mr Robin , carry on
Thank you
I'm always here for the shirts, but I have to say the reviews are sweet too!
The arp is in the same vein as the strum on the keystep37 (a feature which I enjoy very much). It's just the application of a note summed up into a chord, and strummed, like a guitar or whatever.
It *IS* technically an arpeggio, but I think they should have just called it strum so it didn't confuse people.
I assume that on a longer gate you can get some beautiful effects.. adding great depth to a monosynth note.
Great review!!! I think that while they’re at the current price, it’s a no brainer. Great value. Built like a tank
Yeah I just bought one and I was shocked to see it on reverb from Korg outlet for 129
Great video Robin. Tempted by the SQ, but man, does that Erebus sound sweeeeet!
Cheers, Robin! That was fun, too! Love your enthusiasm for this cool box!
This is the brain for any analog/digital/software synths and drums. Big thx to KORG for this update. I have my faith back.
Thanks for this. Months later I decided to come back to the sq64 to give it another go. So a nice refresher here. Question though, it looks like you have clips on your cables. Are those ferrite beads for filtering high freq noise from the usb connection to your modular? Noticing a good bit here (there of course other ways to solve it but I haven’t tried ferrite beads on my modular cables so I was curious).
Ahhh, interesting but no, i'm really not that clever. The clips come with the myVolts cables and are just plastic bits that sort of hold three cables together - they seem like a good idea for a while and then just really get in the way :D
@@MoltenMusicTechah got ya, thanks .
Great review and demo. The added features sold it for me
still waiting on different pattern lengths for individual drum tracks though... apart from that. yes. it's a joy to create with!
The ARP setting would work nicely with Rings or Surface when they are in polyphonic mode. Thanks for the update. It convinced me it could be useful. So, I just got a new one at Reverb for $129.
I bought a second one. For that price, you can get a few and link them up. Great value.
Thanks man for the tip, I just picked up one myself
Now I'll get it out of the box, update the firmware, and start using this thing! Thanks bro.
Thanks for reviewing this updated version
thats hilarious I just bought this thing last month and have been thinking the same thing. Still useful.
V2 is a really welcomed update. I love the quantization option and the drum grid for the D channel is *much* better. I still think chained pattern mode could be made just a little more flexible. And I don't use modular, just volcas, boutiques, and behringers.
Super Thank You, always a pleasure to watch all your videos.
Ooh, love that fill option on the trigger section, that would usually take up one or more modules to get that semi randomness.
Robin, about the arp. If you had a longer chord (not a stab on a single step), would it still do the arp this fast?
Yep, you get just one run of blips, tied or sustained, it’s the same
Channel has the best shirts on YT!
One of the great things about the sq-64 is that you can set scales - great for soloing, especially with the pentatonic scales. And you can add your own scales - blues, for example.
Also, pattern mode is great - mix and match and sync to the next pattern, bar etc.
Then there’s mod and mod variation.
The list goes on really.
Do you know how many scales come loaded?
Can you use user scales like in a keystep 37? I love that.
Isomorphic keyboard for the fail.
with the Arp .. just after you went to shift and had a setting for half speed could you not use that to slow the arp setting down? I'm actually thinking on getting one for midi chords for my setup.. love the new stuff in V2.10
I tiny bit, but it's still more of a strum than an arp.
dont have the sq 64..(first reviews were dissapointing depending on the software issues)
but simple question:
why not hooking up a small midi keyboard over midi in.
that way it may be much easier to play in chords/melodies than over the kryptic scheme of the sequencers key-layout?
the update seems to open up this machine quiet a bit though,
also prices went down, so i may consider getting one of these sooner.. (or later..:)
Sure, add a keyboard, no problem 😉
Can you step record from a keyboard or do you have to use that impossible to figure out keyboard?
The answer is yes…I bought one last week and it works as expected. I have to say v2 makes this device a lot more appealing and for $129 on Reverb it’s hard to beat.
Very informative! Thanks! The problem is this thing has given me GAS for a drum machine.
Really great tutorial on V2. I love the note to chord function and will definitely try it out. For synths plugging in to the three section for gate, mod and velocity do I need to set them in global or just plug synth into the jacks?
Not sure what you're asking me - could you elaborate?
Thanks given us another update , I bought one months ago and only used it a few times with my arp 2600 and pro 1 but I think I'll download the new firmware hook my rd-8 and get to jamming and probably watch your video again . Haha thanks
Is there anyway to have polymeters in individual drum channels? It seems it affects the entire drum track.
I don’t think so because it’s all one track, but I don’t know for sure - I don’t have it to hand at the moment.
Is there a way to prolong a note across multiple steps/16ths? I think that is the key to get the arp to work given what you have shown!
You can tie notes across all steps and no that doesn’t help.
@@MoltenMusicTech how do you do this
A very enticing review. Now I want one!
Nicely put together review of the SQ64. I’m thinking about getting one, there’s a couple of things niggling away. Was this review done on the latest firmware? How often do they update the firmware?
It was the latest version of the firmware at the time - the V2 and it took a long time to get it. I don't imagine they will do another, it really depends on the demand.
Does the arp actually take into account the chord length in steps? I.e. the longer the notes, the slower the arp itself?
nope, it's rubbish
what module is making the drum sounds at 27:50? thanks
I don't really remember but it looks like it could be the Modbap Trinity
I'm sorry for the novice question, but I just realized the Dreadbox synths don't have CV outs. How are the three synths and drum machine hooked up to the Korg between it's two MIDI outs? Is there a splitter somewhere?
No problem! To run synths from the Korg via CV they will need a CV IN for pitch and a Gate IN to run an envelope. The Dreadbox monosynths have this, the Nymphes doesn't as it's a polysynth. CV can only do one thing at a time which is why modular is very Mono. Anyway, assuming you want to use MIDI then MIDI has the ability to chain lots of synths together. It can do this primarily using a MIDI THRU port. MIDI uses three ports: MIDI IN takes in data from another source in order to be controlled; MIDI OUT sends out data to control another machine; MIDI THRU sends out whatever is coming into the MIDI IN. So, taking a MIDI sequencer with a single MIDI OUT port, you can plug it into the MIDI IN on synth #1. Then plug the MIDI THRU from synth #1 to the MIDI IN of synth #2 and so on. Each synth can be controlled and sequenced independently by setting each one to a different MIDI channel - there are 16 MIDI channels. This is done on the sequencer track and the synth itself. However, many synths don't have a MIDI THRU! In which case their MIDI OUT can usually perform this function (check manual). However, some synths don't have a MIDI OUT! In which case you can buy a "MIDI THRU BOX" which is a little box with a MIDI IN and a few MIDI OUTs to split the MIDI to different synths.
I hope that answers your question :D
This is exacyly what I was looking for. I'm getting back into electronic music after 15 years away and am super into the Korg SQ64. This is super helpful. I may take the plunge today. Thanks.@@MoltenMusicTech
Maybe a stupid question...but will any of my saved projects be erased if I do this update? Thanks! Great video btw!
'yes, arp' is really 'strum'- I do something similar with the argeggiator on the deluge, but with the addition of probability/iteration on a per note basis, so that the arpeggiator does something different every time it hits the step with the chord. works great with acoustic guitar patches.
Yeah, no, it’s rubbish 🤣
I use mine for it's MIDI capabilities, but only because I don't have many modular synths. The MS-1 and SE-02 have some semi-modular components, and with KORG Volcas you can sort of chop the tempo by using gate outputs into the sync, but overall I feel like I'm missing out whenever I watch all of those nice blinking lights on my drum channel.
hey I love your vids and your hilarious delivery. what if you used the time division of the sequencer to get more division on the arp? I have 2 of these and have not figured out much, and your vid really helps a lot. It's shocking how cheep they are selling these now, for such an amazing device.
Hey, thanks! At best the arp is a sort of strum and we shouldn’t be wasting our time trying to work around it - it’s not a usable arpeggiation.
Also when you plug in an external keyboard it works only when the sequencer is on stop or record mode it doesn't work when it is just on play. It is a bit frustrating 😢
Hi 😊 can you help me please with some problem? I'm sending a clock from abletone to sq 64. I'm trying to understand how to make sq 64 start playing from the first step and not from the step I stopped, bug thanks
Are you using midi clock or analogue clock?
Midi clock
I'd love to be able to tell you what to do but I really don't know. I don't really use the SQ64 with MIDI. I can suggest going through the settings, look for MIDI sync and transport control. I think the SQ64 would much rather be the sync master than the follower.
Thank you, I'm really happy to receive an answer from you and in general I really like hearing things you bring up
Thank you for this great review Robin! Just got my sq64 so it was really really helpful to watch this and get updated on what this machine can actually do now, got it for a live project and also to enhance the workflow in my studio. Just noticed something that I'm sure you have an answer for, is it possible to record notes in to the sequencer via the usb input? I think I'm sure that only works via midi but I need to ask!
Thanks Robin!
I can't say for definite but the USB is MIDI and I'm pretty sure i used it keyboard-to-daw-to-sq64 so i would say that you can play itover USB and therefore record the notes.
Is it possible to copy a 16 step sequence in the top row down to the other 3 rows ?
not that i can recall
Coming back to this again - love the SQ64 - anyone know if there is a way in Pitch recording mode to transpose the keyboard they give you? You get these 16 notes, and i'm so used to being able to transpose that keyboard down to bass for example, or up higher if you want. Is there not a way to do this?
Thank you for doing this update!! I've been waiting for this!!
If Korg makes it possible to transpose from an external MIDI, then this function alone will make this device perfect!
The ARP mode seems like it's constrained within the step/gate length? I'm wondering if there's a way to extend the gate length to say, 1/4, 1/2, or whole bar length notes?
If that is how it works, it suggests you could place multiple longer gate ARP notes with a pattern, each with their own note pitch selections, for some quite complex ARP programming.
Or, it could just be broken like half the features in the first version...
Dunno, someone should try it
@@MoltenMusicTech yes... perhaps someone who owns one... and has a bunch of synths they can use to test it... and has a YT channel where they can tell us the results... 😜
Nah, I’ve given the arp loads of time and it’s done nothing. I’ve probably done all of he things you suggest, I don’t remember and need to move onto other things. Arp mode is dead to me.
You know Rob what I would like it to do? Automatic Chords variations from. a single note input like the tiny Roland. I am sure the firmware can take it.
Does it have euclydian sequencer? That would be great to create gates with specific rules.
I don't believe so, no
Niiiiice! Love this review! Any way you can preview the pitch of the note you're programming on step, before pressing play? You know, while in step mode?
I got it a few weeks ago, got completely discouraged after trying to update the fiirmware to V2 (too many midi hosts on my PC do it did not work and took me a Tim Shoebridge to figure it out) so mine got out of the box and immediately went to gathering dust duties. Maybe next month...
Yes, there's a weird thing with Korg and Windows MIDI ports - i have a vague recollection of an app that lets you kill ports or something. I had this with a Volca many moons ago.
@@MoltenMusicTech Yes. it's the Korg uninstaller that lets you kill drivers so the Korg can register. In 2023 this should not be happening. Running the uninstaller to get things installed is a bit like pressing Start when you want to shutdown. That's so '95..
Thanks for this, the update is great. They came so close to making a great product but the arp is hilariously useless
I didn’t know one could do a firmware update in a turd.
And now I do.
Great video. “Not intuitive” is an understatement.
I wish I can hear what I’m playing while the sequence is running but not recording. Why is that the case?
I'm not sure what you mean - can you try explaining a bit more?
This device is so stylish yet confusing. Looks very useful for programming full tracks. Still is it more frustrating than fun..?
Hello Sir, I bought an SQ64 and wanted to update it to ver 2.3. But low and behold there are no instructions on how to do the upgrade. Wondering if you have any instructions to help me accomplish this. I downloaded the files from Korg but, no instructions to be found. I looked in the manual. I called Korg. I have searched the entire internet and there is no information on how to do the update! You seem to know a lot about the unit! Wonder if you could help me figure it out?
=KL=
Chicago, IL
Yes, there’s a pdf with all the instructions in the installer zip file. Just download it www.korg.com/us/support/download/software/0/872/4737/
This looks like a more logical sequencer to use because having 64 pads I can see exactly where it’s going. I only saw your top row light up as it went through the sequence. Is that because you were in keys mode.?
I assume with one of these and my volcas I do not need an Arturia Keystep or any other midi keyboard as everything is there I
On the SQ64?
One day I will be able to afford the nice synths you have but I have to start somewhere.
That demo you did at the beginning was bloody awesome…….very well done….and cool..
I'm usually using only 16 steps :D
Wouldn’t changing the timing of a track in arp mode slow it down enough to be a bit more useful?
You’d think so but that just slows the triggering of the note, not the arp which is dependent on tempo. You can slow the tempo right down but then everything else is unusable.
@@MoltenMusicTech Ah, thanks for clearing that up. I guess in the end it’s just a unique feature for this machine : )
1 year later are you still using the SQ-64 or are you working with another sequencer now?
I tend to use a few little sequencers rather than the sq64. They suit my improvisational style.
@@MoltenMusicTech little sequencers? :D
Yes, 8-step sequencers like the Octone, or Varigate 4+, modules like the ARP of Darkness, Neo Trinity or Turing Machine or external boxes like the Playfader - a combination of different things rather than one master controller sequencer.
Could you do an update on how to use the modulation lane? Seems really tedious to enter mod values, as it seems they need to be done per-step?
Yep, that's it, it's a bit tedious. But then if you stick all that modulation in what are you going to do with your hands during playback?
Could the arp mode work if the chord notes were longer?
Nope
Hello! Did you ever try the arp function with tied notes?
Yes, it’s still rubbish
Sorry! I tried it myself just after! Thanks for responding!!@@MoltenMusicTech
How does it compare to the OXI One in your opinion?
I've never tried an OXI One, sorry. The OXI is more colourful? I hear it's very good.
I can’t tell if it’s me or my sq64 is shit. When I make a 16 step sequence. It plays though the first time fine after the first loop it play steps 1 thru 4 twice and then continues with the rest of the 16 steps and does it again. To fix, I shorten the steps to 1 and slowly increase back to 16.
Is this a turd of just a setting which in certain instances could be a cool feature?
Not seen that before which makes me wonder whether you've set up a polyrhythm or something - try updating the firmware again?
I’m glad this got an update because I was so excited about it before but it was just meh. I look forward to to trying it again in the future!
Brain fart question time, sync connections use TRS (stereo) cables and mod/pitch/gate and drums use TS (mono) cables. Correct?
No, it’s all mono except midi which uses there stereo minijack
@@MoltenMusicTech I was in a jam so i just grabbed 1/8 in stereo cables from dollar store works perfect on sq64 mod/pitch/gate to synths. I use them for patching and work also. Not ideal but they work. Let me know maybe talk briefly about in a video. Cheers great videos Robin.
How do you update the firmware?
I can't find tutorial 🤷🏿♂️
There's a pdf in the installer file you download - www.korg.com/us/support/download/software/0/872/4737/
Is there any way to see the tempo without changing the tempo?
The a, b and c inputs for mod, pitch and gate are what I’m referring to for hooking up analog gear. If I just plug the cables in from the external devices will the SQ-64 recognize them without having to change any settings in Global.
analogue gear doesn't "recognise" anything. It just outputs voltage and you can plug that into anything that reacts to voltage. Which settings do you think you need to change?
for the arp mode you need to slow the timing down of the track to use it.
yeah...... and no :D
Congratulations Robin. You’ve turned your modular setup into an Electribe.😀
When you run arp mode at 1x AND cut the timing to 1/4 you can get better results. Sometime ill run it at half the original tracks tempo if I can get away with it. Then you can actually hear it like you would expect
Fyi, quick tapping shift twice gives you the shift hold mode!!
I think you’re not using that arpeggiator feature properly. I’ll be getting my hands on one at Christmas and will post what I find.
Good luck to you mate, I look forward to it :D
Now ordered.
Just told my wife that’s what she’ll be giving me for Christmas :-)
P.S. Your video is what tipped the scales for me to get one, so thanks for that.
So this is the sequencer that you use with the Taiga looks like more damage to the bank balance 😬
I got a lot of use out of the ARP function by using it in tracks that are in 1/4 time and reducing the arp speed down to 1x.
Fair enough :D
Is anyone else dealing with absolute hell updating this firmware? The Korg system updater is unable to detect my SQ and forums online advise I need to uninstall drivers to make it visible. This true?
at the original price and original firmware. I was really disappointed and recommended people away from the SQ-64. I've changed my mind now, and I'd compare it to the KeyStep Pro for those that want some similar basic capabilities but prefer the focus on multitrack sequencer than on a seemingly more versatile keyboard+sequencer of the KeyStep Pro. I think it's for people who like programming old drum machines and groove boxes. For pure MIDI the Electribe 2 or the Model:Cycles/Samples are compelling alternatives and can do some things with MIDI that the SQ-64 cannot.
If I couldn't get an Oxi One I would go for this over anything else, the size and performability are great
Next, please do OXI one review
Try tying the notes together when using the arp feature. Might make it useful
yep, tried that and nope
@@MoltenMusicTech ah dang I came here with the same hypothesis. bummer.👎
This versus a beat step pro any thoughts
I sold my Beatstep Pro - didn't get on with it at all. I have a KeyStep Pro which I like better but the Korg is wonderfully compact and playful. Does that help?
Think the obvious question is, this or the Beatstep pro?
Well i struggled with the Beatstep pro, sent it back :D
@@MoltenMusicTech Yeah, me too. Is the SQ64 easier to get your head around? It’ll be for Volcas and the like.
Best review on this sexy toy, love to see the laughs u have in the process. Anyone figured anything about the arp? Would be one of the main features I'm interested in and it's really disappointing to see it so unusable. Also u people think would make any sense to get this when owning already a Digitakt? ✌️
I think this is best at sequencing modular - that has nothing to do with the Digitakt so they are very different products. But i wouldnt use it to sequence the Digitakt because it already has a sequencer....
@@MoltenMusicTech got it, thanks!
Can anyone please explain to me what the Mod CV output is for? Thank you!
It's for sending modulation - it could be velocity information, could be whatever you want
@@MoltenMusicTech Thank you. I'm so new to modular. So gate - is just on /off. Pitch is - various voltage. Is modulation send -various voltage, as well? and by setting the percentage value, you set how much volts you're sending? I guess I'm still confused on how is it different from pitch send, because you can use pitch to modulate anything as well. Is it slower on the attack?Thank you, again.
Yes, you could see gate as the note length, or how long it's held as opposed to trigger which is just a twang or a hit. Pitch output would be set by the notes you put into the sequencer and so correspond to set voltage intervals that represent notes. The Mod output is absolutely the same but is using free running voltage based on something other than pitch so it can be any voltage. In regular modular sequencers the output is free running voltage and can be used for pitch or modulation - you would tend to run it through a quantizer if you wanted to push it into helpful notes. No envelopes or attack is being used here - you would add that via an envelope on a VCA! Modular is a lot :D but keep at it, it does get easier.
Can it do glide per step CV?
I don't remember, sorry - but probably
dream sequence