Korg SQ-1

[iam7zark7]

Hello,

This post is dual purpose.

1) I'm hoping that UFO or CC, or anyone that experiments using hardware with Orion will chime in with advice or confirmation.

2) To provide useful information for the setup which is currently working for me.

I have been enjoying my Korg MS-20 mini for a few months. This was the working setup:

MIDI out generator controlling MS-20 via USB midi, and when ready, recording the audio back into an audiotrack.
This means putting unit delays on every other channel. Then, later, fixing the audio and removing the delays. It works great though, and I have recorded some excellent takes.

Yesterday I received the Korg SQ-1 Midi/CV/step sequencer. It's a lot of fun.
I tried a bunch of different routing configurations, but settled on one that doesn't even use any CV outs to the MS-20. This seems to defeat the purpose, right? I initially thought that I would be able to midi sync or tempo sync the SQ-1 to Orion and then CV patch it up to the MS-20, but I could not get this to work reliably. The tempo would drift pretty significantly. So, here is the setup:

MIDI out generator controlling MS-20 via USB midi
SQ-1 contolling MIDI out generator (generator config) via USB midi
SQ-1 set as main MIDI in controller (with start/stop/sync) checked
The SQ-1 converts the pattern to USB/MIDI and sends that through the MIDI out generator, and on to the MS-20 synth.
I can record the sequences generated by the SQ-1 into the Midi out generator. Perfect!
Drumrack "FIT" seems to act funny when Orion is synced to another device though.
It's also a bummer that I don't get to CV patch the thing up. If anyone knows how to get rock solid sync from Orion, Let me know. This crappy laptop is probably a factor as well.

-7zark7

[Kriminal]

Why use the sq1 if it is going into orion instead of the ms20?

[iam7zark7]

It is a fun and inspiring way to generate patterns. It's nothing new, I guess, to people familiar with step sequencers. I guarantee you'd have fun with it Krim.

-7zark7

[Mark]

Does the MS20 mini do MIDI Thru/Out over USB? If so, couldn't you use the SQ1 directly with the MS20 and send audio and MIDI (with clock) from the MS20?

[ufo]

Greetings zark
You may want to get an expert sleepers midi cable (5 pin din to 3.5mm jack).
Orion midi out generator to sq1 via usb
3.5mm midi out from sq1 to midi in on ms20.
This will get you synced for regular pitch triggering and hopefully recordable without too much lag.
I reckon the cv outs can now be used to connect up to the ms20 patch panel.
Lettuce know if this works for you.

Peace

[iam7zark7]

Thanks Mark, I will try that and see how it goes.

UFO, the 3.5/midi din cable came with the SQ-1, but that does not help me with the MS20 mini which only has USB midi.
Also, the problem is that the SQ-1 does not sync to Orion. The tempo drifts all over the place. Orion does sync to the SQ-1 pretty well though.

Thanks guys, I will keep trying.

-7zark7

[iam7zark7]

Mark,

The Korg MS20 mini only sends keyboard data from it's own keyboard. (AFAIK) It does not filter and convert incoming CV or MIDI to the USB midi output. It was worth a shot though.

Thanks,
7zark7

[ufo]

That sounds crappy mate.
Not sure what the sync issues may be.


Check this out:
http://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/ms_20mini/
This little puppy shows a midi in port on the back!

sorry it did not help

[iam7zark7]

UFO,
Well, would you look at that. You are right.
So, how does that help me though? The issue is between Orion and the SQ-1.

Maybe the din midi in is passed to the usb out, but I doubt it. I will keep trying. Thanks again for pointing that out UFO.

-7zark7

[ufo]

I trigger my blue lantern tadpole sequencer from orion using midi out gen, thru maya 44 sound card via 5 pin din midi into a midi to cv converter, fro which I use gate and cv to pump into the seq.

Can you try orion midi out gen via sub to sq1, sq1 midi out 3.5 to ms20 midi in.
Dose that work?
Check the ms20 chart or guide for cv and gate connection from the sq1 to the ms20 patch panel.

I am very uncertain regarding the timing, is it possibly a sub port on the Lappy? Can you test in another port?

Peace

[iam7zark7]

Thanks UFO!

I will try it. I found another clue on a tips page about making sure that both the software/DAW and the SQ-1 are set to the same resolution. Quarter/Eighth/& Sixteenth are the SQ-1 settings. I guess maybe I should have double checked my grid settings in Orion. I bet that's why the drumrack "FIT" was acting funny. I will report my findings as I get back to routing options. For now, I'm having fun with it. There is nothing keeping me from using my current setup, but patching up the CV, instead of routing the midi out generator to the MS-20. Thanks again for your insight!

-7zark7

[ufo]

I may be misleading you as my gear is a tad different.
My midi goes into a conversion module and I use gate output to seq clock in, which then slaves my seq to my orion.
Tempo changes in Orion control the sea run time (fuk kin kool)

Try Orion midi out to sq1 then patch one of your gate outputs of the sq1 into the sync input on the sq1.
Now run a drum rack in Orion and make some tempo changes and the sq1 should follow.

Now, back to the lab
Mmmwwwwaaaaaaaaa

[ufo]

Hey man
Thought I would also mention something you may have already hit on, and that the pattern in the midi out generator
Can have a profound influence on the sequencer.

Try a long note, then 8th notes (4x8) then 16th notes (try 8x16, 12x16 and 16x16) different rhythms et al
And this should push the sequencer about a bit.

Good luck!

[ufo]

Whilst you dabble in this realm, you may find this of interest
Digi toys Quenta
http://www.digi-toys.net/quentafeatures.html
Looks interesting.

[iam7zark7]

Oh well, I can't get it to sync to Orion.
No worries, Orion is syncing well to it, so that will work for now.
I almost purchased the clock software, but it looks to be MAC only.

Thanks again UFO!

-7zark7