Korg - SQ-64 Polyphonic Step Sequencer + Software Bundle

Product Information

Hitting the global button allows you to set various aspects of the device so it fits with the rest of your gear, including things like 5 or 10 volts for pitch output, CC control mapping and the like. So yeah the hardware is great but the software implementation is really lacking and is quite disappointing.

This is similar to what you would get from something like an Arturia Keystep Pro, but here you sacrifice the keyboard for a device that is around a quarter of the size. The SQ-64 has 64 beautifully LED-lit Step button pads that not only let you see the whole picture at once, but also allow for super-fast and satisfactory editing with its encoder knobs and dedicated mode buttons that will simplify and speed up your workflow.All of the patch sockets are on the back, which means I can’t butt the SQ‑64 up against my rack because of all the cables.

Powered through USB or external 9V DC adaptor, a choice of power options offer both versatility and flexibility. In Gate mode you choose the length of the sequence up to 64 steps and turn the steps on and off with a press. The OLED screen is clear and subdued and split into four sections to describe four functions; you would think these were controlled by the four buttons that sit immediately beneath, but in fact you’ll find the four knobs to the right are what you need to be fiddling with. Add to that the 4 alternative sequence playback options - stochastic, random, bounce and reverse - and the ability to loop and chain any pattern you make, and you've got even more scope for complex music creation.

Three are melodic, with up to eight notes of polyphony, while the fourth is rhythmic and capable of pumping out 16 monophonic paths of percussion (eight over CV). As well as some text labels printed on the surface, there are illuminated markers that show when any of the outputs are triggered, a nice way of adding some at-a-glance feedback on your patterns. i got some strange clockissues too on the syncout, it's powered with PSU but also connected via usb to my DAW (for controller events and receiving clocks).

Each of the Melody tracks (x3) has 16 Patterns of up to 64 steps each, and the Drum track (x1) has 16 Sub-tracks also with up to 64 steps each, that can be played, chained and edited in a variety of ways. So even though in the global settings it expresses the range is 5 (to 10) volts, it's actually moving from -5 to + 5 volts over the course of the mod range.

I preferred using the external MIDI tbh, but for some reason track D (drums) will not record from external MIDI. The SQ-64 comes with a diverse variety of music software from Izotope including “Ozone Elements” which lets you not only create songs but also master them using AI, “Skoove” which will help you improve your keyboard playing skills, “Reason Lite” DAW software, as well as software synths from KORG and other brands.