Korg SQ-1 User Manual

FAQ

Q: How do I connect the SQ-1 with the MS-20M?

A:

1) Use the 1/8" patch cables and 1/4" patch cables included with the MS-20M to connect the SQ-1 and the MS-20M as shown in

the illustration to the right:

• SQ-1's CV-A OUT jack -> MS-20M's JUNCTION jack -> VCO 1+2 CV IN (V/Oct) jack

• SQ-1's CV-A GATE jack -> MS-20M's JUNCTION jack -> TRIG IN +5V~+15V jack

The MS-20M has two types of TRIG IN jacks, when connecting with the SQ1 you should connect the TRIG IN +5V~+15V jack as

when using the SQ-1's factory settings.

2) Set the SQ-1's CV A RANGE setting to 5V. This widens the pitch range you can adjust using the SQ-1's knobs:

• While holding down the SQ-1's FUNCTION button, press the 5V button for the CV A RANGE setting of channel A, making the

button light.

3) Press the SQ-1's START/STOP button to trigger the MS-20M.

Q. How do I connect the SQ-1 for use with the MS-20 mini?

A:

1) Use the 1/8" patch cables included with the MS-20 mini, or the separately sold MS-CABLE-18 option, to connect the SQ-1 and

the MS-20 mini as shown in the illustration to the right:

• SQ-1's CV-A OUT jack -> MS-20 mini's VCO 1+2 CV IN jack

• SQ-1's GAT E -A OUT jack -> MS-20 mini's TRIG IN jack

2) Set the SQ-1's CV A RANGE setting to 8V (Hz/V):

• While holding down the SQ-1's FUNCTION button, press the 8V (Hz/V) button of the CV A RANGE setting for channel A, making

the button light.

3) Set the SQ-1's GATE OUT polarity from positive (factory preset) to “-” (negative).

• While holding down the SQ-1's START/STOP button, turn the power on (the unit starts up in global parameter setting mode).

• Press the SQ-1's MODE/CLEAR button to make the button go dark. (This alternates between un-lit and lit each time you press

the button: “-” when un-lit, “+” when lit.)

• Press the SQ-1's power button to save the setting (*).

4) Press the SQ-1's START/STOP button to trigger MS-20 mini.

* In this global parameter setting mode, you can use the SEQUENCER MODE selector to set the sequencer's step resolution.

When you save the GATE OUT polarity as described above, the step resolution setting specified by the selector position is also

saved at the same time, so if you don't want to change the resolution, set the selector to the CV/DUTY RANDOM or RANDOM

position so that only the GATE OUT polarity setting is saved.

Q. How do I connect the SQ-1 for use with the littleBits Synth Kit?

A. To connect the SQ-1's littleBits OUT jack with the littleBits Synth Kit, you'll need the littleBits Proto module

(http://littlebits.cc/bits/proto) and a mini-monaural cable (*).

1) Strip some insulation from the mini-monaural cable.

2) As shown in the illustration to the right, fasten the core and shield of the cable to the terminal screw of the Proto module.

3) Of the Proto module's three jumpers, remove the middle jumper.

4) Set up the littleBits circuit (one example is shown to the right), and connect the Proto module's mini-monaural cable to the

SQ-1's littleBits OUT jack.

5) Press the SQ-1's START/STOP button to make the littleBits Synth Kit start playing.

* A mini-stereo cable can also be used, but in this case, do not connect the ring to the Proto module.

Troubleshooting:

When I connect the SQ-1 to the MS-20 / MS-20 mini, notes don't stop.

If the TRIG IN polarity of the MS-20 / MS-20 mini does not match the GATE OUT polarity of the SQ-1, the gate output's on/off

operation is inverted, so notes won't stop. Change the SQ-1's GATE OUT polarity as described above in step 3) of “Q. How do I

connect the SQ-1 for use with the MS-20 mini.”

Q. Should I set the GATE OUT polarity to “+” (positive) or “-” (negative)?

A: It depends on the model of analog synthesizer that's connected. The MS-20 / MS-20 mini support “-” (negative). The MS-20M

provides both a “-” (negative) TRIG IN jack and a “+” (positive) TRIG IN +5V~+15V jack. Since littleBits has a dedicated littleBits

OUT jack, it works correctly regardless of the polarity setting.

My (analog synthesizer) connected via CV does not sound at the correct pitch.

Broadly speaking, there are two CV standards used by analog synthesizers.