Everything You Need To Know About The Korg SQ-64

The Korg SQ-64 is a powerful yet compact 64-step polyphonic sequencer with a vast array of connectivity options. It gives you ultimate control over your instruments - whether virtual or hardware, and it lets you see what your sequences are doing at any point, without having to navigate menus. It’s also got a sleek and intuitive user interface, plus a really cool 80s-inspired aesthetic.

The main part of the Korg SQ-64 is taken up by the 64 sequence buttons; each one controlling an individual step. You can have up to four tracks on the SQ-64 - three of these are melodic which have 16 patterns of up to 64 steps each. On the melody tracks, you can edit the steps in different modes - Gate, Pitch and Modulation which can yield some really interesting results. The fourth track is a drum track which again has 16 sub-tracks with up to 64 steps.

The pads make sequencing really easy, plus the small light on each button lets you know what’s happening with each step. You can either view each of the 64 steps of a track, or you can choose to view the first 16 steps of each of the four tracks running at the same time, making it an ideal tool for both live performance and studio work. The knobs, which can control a variety of different parameters are easily accessed and feel great under the fingers. 

The Korg SQ-64 features a bunch of ins and outs that can help make this small but mighty sequencer the brain of your music-making operation, whether you’re using analogue or digital gear, or even software within your DAW. The SQ-64 has 1 x MIDI IN and 2 x OUT, micro USB type B, Sync IN & OUT, plus there are MODULATION, PITCH and GATE outputs for the three melody tracks and 8 individual trigger outputs for controlling analogue synths, Eurorack, and drum machines on the drum track.

When using the Korg SQ-64, you can select different modes depending on how you find it easier to work. When programming melodies, you can opt for Keys mode which gives you a traditional piano layout for the notes, if that’s what you’re used to, or Isomorphic which displays the notes symmetrically in rows which allows you to easily transpose chord patterns. You can also select various scales which will help you choose the right notes, without having to be a music theory buff. On top of this, there’s also a built-in arpeggiator and four alternative sequence playback modes if you want to make things really interesting! The clear OLED screen at the top helps you know where you are and what you’re controlling at all times.

Despite being a very powerful tool, the Korg SQ-64 is really compact - roughly a quarter of the size of most other things offering similar features. It’s only 18mm thick, but it’s made from robust aluminium, so it’s sturdy and it’s ready to be taken out on the road!