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Average rating:
4.3 out of 5
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My SQ1 died on me after eight years in my hands. I really like some of the work I did with it and are missing the hell out if it. The thing I did not liked is that I only used it in my home studio and never at shows, still it died on me. It was repaired about a year and a half ago and the repair guy said that if it gives more trouble to put it to rest. Just recently it freezed and still is not working. When you turn it on, it looks normal on the screen but any of the bottoms works and there is no sound. Since the bottoms are freezed I cannot re-boot the thing. Can any tell me what is worng with it? Is this battery related? Can it be fixed at home (since no repair guy wants to touch an SQ1)?
Thanks for any help (please reply to my email also)
Robert
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I can't believe some of the negative feedback that this unit has recieved. While there is an apparent problem with the memory (Get used to replacing batteries), I would stake my professional integrity on the claim that for the price of a used SQR there is NO BETTER MODEL AVAILABLE.
Even when comparing it with newer synths, with a great deal of internal memory, and storage device options, I'd still put my money on the SQR. While i would not depend on it as my main sequencer for live performance (sometimes it crashes, and you get residual tones that keep ringing), for studio use, this baby outperforms many more expensive units. Some have complained about the factory presets - yes there are some not so great sounding presets, especially the woodwinds and some of the lower brass - but that is more than made up for by the pads, and by the piano, organ, vibes and strings which are usually the hardest sounds on most synths to find good patches for.
I am still impressed by this piece of equipment. Whether you're into jazz, R&B, or rock, this is a superb machine for studio work. Even electronic artists will love the sqr when combined with another synth, because it's synthesis allows for really cool metallic, overdriven or just obscure leads. This machine is truely awesome.
If you can pick one up under 300, don't hesitate.
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I may be a little biased because I cut my programming teeth on this synth, but for the money, it's an excellent beginner's workstation. The envelopes are very flexable and allow you to create some pretty cool sounds. Great for harsh metallic sounds, great for breathy pads, GREAT for noodley bits of ear candy. The Transwaves are this board's secret weapon, nothing out there sounds like 'em.
The sequencer is very easy to learn, but it does get buggy with age. I don't have a computer so I went out and bought another workstaion, but I still use the SQ as a sketch pad because I can lay down tracks very quickly and get my ideas going without having to negotiate the umpteen-million features my new workstation offers.
I bought my SQ 7 years ago and paid $850 for. I see now it fetches much less. I feel that I've got more than my money's worth on it so if you can get one under $400 consider it a steal! It rates a very solid 4 of 5 on sonic personality alone.
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5/5 score for this one - here's why:
First, a correction to the spec sheet - the SQ1+ can transmit at least 8 channels of MIDI simultaneously. I do it all the time. I haven't tried for 16 (song mode). The little LCD screen puts some people off, but I've found that the layout of options both for patch editing and sequencing is intuitive and efficient.
I've read a couple of reviews that criticize the 'terrible' preset patches. I agree - the presets are in general awful. And it's true that the drum sounds don't leave you much to wrk with. BUT... I've been very successful at creating sounds with this keyboard that I've never heard before anywhere. The synthesis model is open-ended and allows many, many modulation schemes. If you are willing to actually learn a few basics of synthesis (which the manual explains very well), you can do pretty much what you want to. It's a great compositional tool, especially since you CAN record multiple parts quickly and easily, then quantize, event filter, scale, and tweak effects quickly and easily... then record all tracks to a 'real' sequencer simultaneously (eg. Cakewalk, which has built-in system exclusive support btw) and edit to your heart's content. This is a great buy - it's worth far more than it costs even new. It supports controllers in software that the hardware is incapable of (eg. two different channel pressures) so if you have something to send that controller with, you've got it. If you're using memory cards (or judging this synth by them) you should buy a cheap PC - a 386 will do - and use a shareware system exclusive program for storage. (KS32edit is completely compatible with the SQ1+ / SQ2.) Lack of storage is an inane argument against any synth with reasonably good MIDI implementation - the implementation for the SQ1 is excellent. I could go on - but here's a better idea: check out http://www.mp3.com/phosphiend/ . It's a small sample of some older work of mine, recently found, and at that point ALL THE SOUND WAS FROM ONE SQ1+ , no multitrack recorder, no effects box, nothing. :)
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I agree with what a lot of the people have said, but there are a few things to add. I have not had much luck with the sequencer on my unit. It would randomly shift notes around and generally produce unpredictable results, but I use Cakewalk now anyways. The sounds are all pretty digital, but if you get into the guts of it you can make some pretty good sounds. The filters don't self oscillate, but this really wasn't designed to be a beasty analogue stomper of a synth. It is good to make some pretty lush pad sounds with, and some relatively decent analogish leads and basses. I have noticed that notes tend to hang at times and the system has to be turned off then back on (panic buttons don't work). Also the output is a little noisy. The effects are relatively bread and butter, but using the phaser and reverb with a pad really makes it shine. The drums are absolute crap for anything except acoustic sounding music. The case is metal with plastic end cheeks and seems relatively sturdy, but I wouldn't try dropping it. Overall it's a good all around keyboard that these days can be found for $300 to $400. I use it pretty extensively in almost every song.
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