Korg actually fixed many problems in the new 2.0 firmware update. You can now quantize steps and they even made the LEDs brighter! Together with the recent price drop, this little box is suddenly looking a whole lot more attractive... (I bought it.)

The track you made in the end is really good, Nick.

The outro sequence is fantastic. Very different from the usual that you tend to go for. Great review, thanks Nick!

Please Nick do more music, I like your style. The track at the end was a bliss to my ears.

Thank you for such a thorough review! Especially given Korg’s barebones manual. Your pointing out the keyboard override setting saved me from having to get a midi merger.

Three melodic tracks, drum track, and the bonus drill next door track :D Great review as always, cheers :)

Not only is this a great review, it’s a superb tutorial for what I’d consider a fairly counter-intuitive device. I’ve been scratching my head using mine for weeks because the manual is utter dog shit. It tells you nothing. Thank you for making this, it’s actually made me persevere and not sell it on eBay and I’m now getting decent results.

Been waiting for your review/walk-through of this. You answered many of my questions about it, and how it might/might not work with my system, with regard to what I already have. Insightful as usual. Thank you.

class. simple as that. the ending track should get a release! thank you Nick

Brilliant...! Thanks for this Nick... !! I had questions, and as usual, you have answers!! 😃

Given how Korg only fixed about 5% of the issues with the electribe firmwares and gave up in it about 5 years ago. I wouldn’t hold my breath for issues on this to be fixed.

Nick if you revisit this sequencer please comment on the history of firmware updates from your experience. The long term commitment to a product via firmware fixes is really important in this category.

I’ve been scratching my neck lately waiting to see nick do a review. 😳

Man, I watched a bunch of reviews of the SQ-64 just before buying it at the deeply discounted price. Your video was the best one by far. You really put it through its paces and made it sound excellent.

As usual great review. This seems to have some very interesting features and it's great that it has pattern chaining.

Nice review, I just ordered one and looks forward to try iy out especially on my multitimbral synths!

What a great device from Korg. The SQ-1 pops up everywhere. So this should do very well.

Killer Music throughout - Nick really is the Synth GOAT 🐐

Thanks for showing the pattern chaining function I have struggled to get my head around that. Also there was a bug when you change patterns manually which since the firmware update that has been fixed. Its a great sequencer!!

My one criticism of the SQ-64 was that you couldn't play along on an empty track when a sequence was playing. Well, thanks Nick - you actually RTFM! Thanks for pointing out the "Transpose/Override" option. My happiness is now complete!

Glad I dropped the akai force and went with this. I think sometimes having too much freedom makes creating tunes a chore. This unit made hardware production fun again.

Great review, as always Nick. Picked one up after Korg started selling these cheap direct on Reverb for $129 US. Hard to pass up at that price!

Afaik the pattern sync issues got addressed in the firmware update from a few days ago. Oh btw, the arp apparently is not arp but strum. Nice review, thanks.

i really like all the music in this demo - thanks Nick & sonicstate!

Great demo Nick!!

I have it. Main issue: in gate mode inactive steps are also lit! I suggest everyone to set 500ma power option. In this way inactive steps are little more easy to discern. Unfortunately this is a great CON, especially in live performance s.

Came in here wanting an SQ 64, but now I want that Pittsburgh machine!

Still discovering my SQ64! Great review 🙂

I have both this and the Keystep Pro. It's taken longer to get used to the SQ-64 but what I do like is having 64 project spaces. Patterns on top of that makes for a lot of space. I quickly ran out of project space on the KSP and dont like the software. But I find the KSP better at creating new music spontaneously. Like you said, KSP allows all 4 channels to be played and recorded at once. Great video both for instruction and your wonderful tracks!

We've really gotta push back on this no PSU thing... its such a joke. Yes I already have a PSU - which is in use with the device it came with!

Ordered one when they first appeared in November. Still waiting on delivery.

Great review but I still don't "get" the product. It seems very laborious and inscrutable compared to the Arturias. I can't help feeling the Volca development team would have created a far more user-friendly and engaging product. Lack of transpose from the MIDI input is a fail in 2021. At least Arturia got with it to provide this essential feature that's been asked-for on digital sequencers for decades. I particularly miss it on the Novation Mono Station. I get around it on the MPC One by feeding a Neutron with both MIDI and CV.

You didn't test the CV voltage. It's been well-dccumented that it's not actually in tune. I've also read that pad assignments for the percussion don't stick. I actually cancelled my pre-order due to all the bugs I read about and saw in videos. Yours has to be the most positive review I've seen, and even you found issues. I don't regret bailing on it. I just got a Digitone and Digitakt instead.

It needs quantize and transpose, and a price cut if it's not including a power supply or adapters

Thank you nick, great review as always... I think it is a very serious sequencer that needs a little touch up, and I think Korg is more than capable enough to solve those bits and pieces in a firmware update

Awesome outro music Nick!

@sonicstate The PATTERN sync issue you show around the 20th minute has been fixed in a firmware upgrade some days ago. Unfortunately they didn't address other issues, like recording quantization, etc.

Thanks for the cool detailed review. And also for supporting Ukraine!

That demo track was killer. Nick Batt-nice guy, synth wizard, and nemesis of my wallet.

Did you spot the Volca Keys being used as some sort of computer interface in the new‘Loki’ trailer?

insane how impossible a product (and expensive) something like this was but a few years ago. doepfer made some great trigger rack sequencers but $$ and I think discontinued from lack of interest. what riches, what times these are.

03:23 I've been listening to Music For The Masses -era Depeche Mode a bit lately, too

Another problem to deal with: type A, type B, more different connector cables to get lost. Why don't they just STICK WITH THE TRUSTY OLD 5 PIN TRADITIONAL MIDI CONNECTOR? I've been using MIDI since its inception and these connectors NEVER failed me. Never ever.

Fantastic review, thank you.

I want that loop mode on all my machines!

Another fantastic review and demo Nick!! Sure like seeing those MIDI parameters, so important to see if we can control the clock in and program changes. So many sound devices accept program changes, but then don't allow you to turn off their program change, frustrating. I own an Electribe2, and much of the SQ64 sequencing is familiar, except the Electribe does not allow you to turn off quantize, great to see a free play option. Would have liked to see a 128 step for 8 bars, or an 8 measure with any quantize resolution. Measures, with quantize divisions (from zero to 1/64) is still rare today, seems stepping remains popular over pattern sequencing. Patterns are for musicians and steps are for tweakers...I guess???

Your opening track...was amazing

Great outro Nick!

Doesn't come with a plug at this price for what it is?? Ddyyamm, Korg really cheaping out on the customer.

Thanks Nick😁🍻

I owned the SQ-64 and can say it was one of the most frustrating sequencers I have ever used. And Korg's horrible firmware track record with other devices made me get rid of it. First, it's so hard to tell which steps are on and which are off. Did Nick mention this in the video? If not, he needs to. I have never in my life used a sequencer with this level of difficulty in deciphering which steps are on/off. The LEDs when steps are off are slightly dimmer than those on the on-steps. Good luck trying to decipher them when you're jamming. Second, no pattern length on individual drum tracks. Third, the lack of a quantize-all mode is laughable. You have to quantize step by step. If you can live with these things, go for it. Personally, I found this sequencer to be one of the most disappointing I've used because it has great features in a great size but they're eclipsed by the awful LEDs on off-steps and the other issues that I mentioned. I couldn't stand looking at all those red steps for more than a few minutes at a time.

Thanks Nick

Nice vibe at the end.

The difference in LED brightness between GATE On and OFF is so minimal - makes it hard for my poor old eyes. Just LED ON or OFF would be better.....or use the white LED at low intensity for the OFF steps

Great demo and what a sweet demo track!

The beat at 2:51 is too good! Then it just gets better. Great demo!

Also it is not a full on step sequencer like the SQ-1 is. It feels like they have cut corners every time I have tried to use it.

I've been enjoying mine, but i'd LOVE a firmware update that allows automatically quantizing to the grid so i don't have to be worried about my sloppy keyboard skills

Thanks for the video! : ) Between Korg SQ-64 and Arturia Beatstep Pro ... which one would you recommend ?

Really interesting to see how many music youtubers use the 1010music Bluebox for mixing and recording these days.

NICE SOUNDS

Thanks for doing a review on this, really appreciated the demonstration of the arpeggiator function. I can't find any documentation on the set of available scales, there's not much elaboration in the manual. Does it allow for un-quantized pitch sequencing or user defined scales? I would love to be able to use this for microtonal sequencing,

So Bring Your Own Power Supply and Bring Your Own MIDI Adapter Cables? I’m less than 5 minutes in and wondering what else Korg think is not necessary to include in a product. Really Korg are you having a laugh?

Great video as always. Thank you. I just picked an SQ-64 up the other day, but I'm noticing a serious issue with the loop mode. Tracks B,C and D, don't stay in phase when a loop is released. For some reason Track A will stay in phase. Have you (or any one else here?) come across this issue with theirs? If so, is there a fix?

Nice job Nick! Thanks...

that pittsburgh modular sounds huge!

I understand the difference between a pattern sequencer like this and a linear seguencer like the Roland MC 50, and they are cool for different uses but I wish there was some kind of hibrid, I like the approach of "playing" the sequencer, in real time but there are passages that need to be free of a pattern. Like having two different sequencers in one. Like combining an Arturia beatsep pro with an Alesis MTT 8

Nick's song reminds me of Age of Empires II - Shamburger

Did I understand correctly that it isn't possible to transpose tracks using external midi, e. g. by sending a note/command from DAW or keyboard? I'm trying to get this thing integrated to my Bitwig setup to sync/start/stop/transpose etc., but the manual is not very helpful.

Do you think it pair well with NordDrum2 via its 6 trig inputs? “Connect drum pads or other signal sources to the Trig Input 1⁄4" jacks. These inputs can be used with a variety of different signals. The sensitivity and the threshold of the inputs can be adjusted with the Inp Sens and Inp Thres parameters..” (NordDrum2 manual)

Will you do an updated video of the wonkieness issues if the get addressed by Korg?

ahh "Hearts Beats" I hear you ;)

Do they have the same Korg fitting and power as the old volcas?

Had a little play with one today and it feels like a hardware version of old Fruity Loops. I'll wait and see if they do a bigger version (or maybe an addon slave unit with just the pads?) or update it to have more tracks with a shift function. 4 tracks just isn't enough.

320 € and no power supply and no midi adapters? Glad you're looking out for the beginner musician who might not have all that stuff in a bin somewhere. I think I'll take a Beatstep instead. Has all the leads packed in and is a hundred bucks cheaper.

anyone tried to pair sq64 with volca modular? can't find any substacial info.

I like korg products and it looks nice but taking into account the issues that have been reported with it (specially the voltage tunning issue) and that korg's update policy is a shame compared to arturia's....don't think is a wise purchase.

Seems ok but for this price you could buy a Model:Samples which can act as a pretty comparable midi sequencer, plus you get all of the internal sound capability.

Nice jam!

How is the precision of the CV after a power cycle? One frustration I had with the SQ1 is that in order to change global settings, a power cycle was required. And even if the rest of your gear was still powered, the CV outs of the SQ1 would often shift significantly, so you’d have to go back and trim the voltages.

@2:12 Funny thing is, next door have a Drill review channel on KZfaq and have problems with "the drum machines next door!"

At minute 6:03 I hear a glitch on the note. Does this happen often ?

Still hoping for something that will sequence midi program changes per step in hardware without going all the way to Elektron land

Should i get the SQ 64? I am curious if i can sequence my Electribe ESX, Circuit Mono Station, SparkLE... I have a Volca Keys as well. Would i ve better off with a Quadra Thru Midi Hub going into a Beatstep or Keystep? Thanks so much

They should make the firmware open source! Nice review, Nick!

Huh, they stuck with the weird "arp" since the november loopop preview. Bit surprised.

Will the midi adapters for the microfreak work? Just asking because I bought a sq-64 used and it didn't come with the midi adapters but I have the adapters for the Arturia Microfreak

All PSUs should be USB C.

i like all videos u do and do u happen to have any music on bandcamp and elsewhere any ways cheers be safe

The song at 10:45 has a John Hughes vibe

you say it feels solid, but of all my smaller controllers this is the one i fear dropping the most due to the shear weight of the darn thing given it's tiny size. I doubt something this heavy would survive a drop. considering a bumper for that innevitable moment.

Also I'm waiting for quantization option on the sq 64

Just a heads up - there is a firmware update available from Korg Support as of 9/4/21

Lovely Groove

The pattern mode sync on change issue is still happening in the v2 update. Disappointing. Otherwise, the SQ-64 is a performance beast.

Merry Christmas !! So I have a question I need to ask you maybe it’s a 3 part or just a one part question , anyways…I have a monologue, NTS1, teenage engineering PO32, live, logic, tons of DAW and soft synth, and I am buying mottle synths like the castle and volca modular (my volca sample just went to the loony bin it doesn’t work) . Is it overkill to buy the sq64? Will I still have access to the motion tracks ? I don’t want to lose that. I’ve never used an external sequencer this is why I ask. I’m just trying to take my Xmas money and get the most bang for my buck ….thanks mate!!!!

imo korg are missing out by not allowing the drum triggers to be reconfigured as CV - then users could decide

Is it worth it for beginners? (hava experience in electronic music but in mixing) Can i use it properly with no other device? (no other expensive effects or that huge orange device in the video)

I am not able to delete additional pitch information on a step after accidentally recording more than one pitch, only clearing the whole pattern does the trick. Very strange... There seems to be no way to delete a whole step, turning off the gate keeps the pitch information intact... any ideas?

It is such a brilliant concept, but as it is at the moment, this thing is so frustrating. It really feels like Korg released it unfinished, and I lost hours feeling stupid, just to find out that the stuff I was trying to do does not work. Here are a few examples of dead ends I hit. With a few of them I am still not sure if it is just me, but after a while I gave up on trying to find out and played with my Digitakt instead. Here it goes: - You can't delete data on a per-step basis - You can't move/reposition data on a per-step basis (apart from the offset of +/- half a step) - You can't create/edit polyphony without recording chords first - You can't play along to your sequence while it is running (both in keyboard mode and external midi), unless recording is active - The arpeggiator is a joke. You can only arpeggiate on a per-step basis, which is cool for weird sounds but there should be a "normal" arp funcion as well. - You also CAN'T RECORD MIDI on track C! And I feel like I forgot some. It is sad, because I wanted to use this as the centerpiece for my setup since it easily connects midi and cv. I really can't understand how this was released in this state and how it can be that there is still no update and fix. So.. Don't buy one yet. Or maybe ever, considering Korg's bugfix record. edit: Nick addresses the play along and track C recording issues in the "global settings" part of the video. There is a simple way around it, yay! Just change keyboard mode from transpose to override.