Maybe someone found quantize function? 
Curious if anyone else has checked their SQ-64 for this issue
It manifests when the device is powered by a 2A capable USB port/adaptor (or the official Korg 9V supply) and configured in teh settings to adopt that power mode - the user can toggle between low brightness, low power 500mA mode and a higher brightness 2A draw mode
When the device is set to a brightness above 7 it introduces these vertical lines and often scrambles the screen, it is otherwise fine. It varies depending on which UX elements are present and which screen is rendered - cycling through the global settings is a good way to illustrate the variation
here’s one example of the typical screen corruption i see - bizarrely, thus far on returning the unit to the retailer (who have been great in contrast to next to no response from Korg direct sadly) for return to Korg they found teh unit was not misbehaving
Curious if any electronics experts have a feel for what aspects would manifest in this way and what an engineer might be thinking about when resolving this - i want to get this back asap, but i fear that it will not be addressed thoroughly based on what i have encountered thus far
FWIW I know of at least 4 other users affected by this exact issue from a very brief low number pool survey, so it’s not insignificant statistically if you assume there are plenty who haven’t spotted it or who don’t mind and just drive it at a lower brightness
That shouldn’t be the only way forward, so keen to hear if anyone here has thoughts or similar issues
My first unit 003591 was like this from day1 - my replacement 003594 has been perfect for 11 months until a week or so ago - really missing it, but hope Korg do the right thing and address the underlying issue, whatever that can be rather than do nothing
Just tested mine with Korg PSU, 2A power setting, brightness at 10, no such issue on any screens.
Serial is 0051xx only had mine about 5 months, so might be a factor.
Things I’d check
Does it do it with no other cables connected?
If no then try each cable in turn.
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Yeah, i’ve been through those ruling things in/out - but it was happening with/without any cables be it cv or midi - i don’t run it much (or at all tbh) with a computer, but the dealer asked about hubs etc etc - this is an old picture recycled from above, but it’s identical in nature
I can’t try anything more as my replacement unit is at the retailer, but i’m encouraged to learn they’ve been producing these in decent numbers - so whilst they may be cagey about fessing up to a design/manufacturing flaw they may well have a handle on this - only issue is they are clearly short staffed as i have had basically no meaningful response to numerous calls/emails and it’s not even clear if the retailer has reached them either
There’s enough feedback from the facebook group, plus above for three units and one on reddit to suggest this is compromising a number of production units and they should have some handle on why by this stage. I’d be happy with a board swap or firmware, if even relevant, or a replacement … i think it’s my favourite sequencer for now, so quite keen to have it back - ultimately even if it’s limited to brightness 6, but i hope Korg take ownership of this as it’s a recurring and historical issue. The dealer has been great, but Korg haven’t really taken their share of the burden on this one, still a fanboy, but it’s no Elektron experience just yet.
I had a blue monotron die randomly sat in a drawer having been only powered on a few times, i do wonder if this tendency they have to shrink products makes them a little more prone to electronics issues. In my experience they seem to nail the firmware rather well, never had much to notice there, pretty slick testing
Hopefully it will get sorted for you, I will keep an eye on mine and see if it develops over time, which if so is almost certainly a hardware issue.
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One way or another it appears to be the case. I’m getting a swap, i think for a new (hopefully later)unit but it may be a board which is fine. I was only really wondering if the hardware issue could be overcome by firmware, e.g. running the screen at a different refresh rate or doing something to ensure the screen was prioritised more
But i’m happy enough that something is on its way to me - still haven’t heard from Korg, but i suppose it’s academic, although i would have liked to have known if this is a known (and therefore rectified) issue.
My Nord 2 Rack awaits its arrival - I need to stop being a stranger to polyphony !
My replacement SQ-64 arrived yesterday. It seems churlish to be looking at a new device and being a little dissatisfied still, I have zero idea if Korg know this issue is a ticking time bomb or whether it has been addressed in later revision builds … the unit I received has a serial that’s only ~60 away from my original(s) … whereas it’s clear that current builds could feasibly be (minimum) 1800 further down the road !
I’m left with an inexorable dread this will happen again based on this. I have no idea how Korg could have been sitting on such old stock as well.
Main reason to post was that it became obvious to me only just now that the device will permit setting the Power mode to 2A even when it is unable to receive that much current, effectively when you toggle between 500mA and 2A on a port which has insufficient power it will work and retain the setting (but will NOT affect the brightness) … I assumed it would bump the setting down to reflect the absence of power
So the only acid test for evaluating the presence of glitches is to toggle between 500mA and 2A (when the brightness is already set >7) and if the port is juicing properly you should see a noticeable bump in brightness, with 500mA being decidedly sombre
That’s a necessary check if you are not sure about the port power on a PC, it should be easier to determine if a USB power brick is powerful enough, anything >10A will do the job.
So if you want to check your unit, those are the only meaningful metrics.
The dealer was initially getting a non-issue when they received my unit for testing because they presumably had a port that wasn’t providing the necessary 10W
Fingers crossed though (as the warranty clock does not restart with a new replacement), I’m glad to have this back with a fully working screen !
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SQ-64 no.3 is en route to Milton Keynes 
Gate button (and others) is unclickable unless you only press far right (and nobody’s doing that of course)… absolutely unusable in a natural way, if you land leftish then the pad just squishes into chassis until your finger stops you. None of the others were like this and its neighbouring buttons aren’t quite like that. The paging buttons are stiff, they were on all devices, but none until now have been sinking without activation… the gate switch only really clicks on release, whereas others click on press and release… there is no end to this hassle and I never got a peep back from Korg on any of my enquiries
Souring the experience tbh
Fingers crossed, but losing faith (and postage £s)
Why Korg don’t pick up the tab is beyond me!!
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SQ-64 #4 is here and appears to be in good order (and also a recent high 6k build) … fingers crossed as I have no more warranty (unless manufacturer’s warranty is >1yr) … looking forward to giving it a spin
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On Japan YouTube channel korg/manuals filmed a lot series of instructions for SQ-64.
Everything is in Japanese, but it’s much clearer and more useful than original SQ-64 user manual from box.
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Full playlist here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7-vERG108zr6dRCoy4LbjQemEoZlpMz4
and individual videos
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Note that subtitles are available in English and Japanese - there was no voiceover in the first video, and I assume none in the other two.
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Korg is selling these for $199 on reverb. Assuming it’s getting discontinued and will never see another update, is it worth it?
Also on Sweetwater and Kraft Music via Amazon. Seems at least as useful as two SQ-1s, so I have one on order.
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If I needed a sequencer this would be a no brainer but I have an SQ1 and a number of other sequencers. I’m wondering what is special about the SQ64? I find the interface a little inscrutable and while I looked into it a little when it came out it seemed to be a bit buggy so I put it out of mind.
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yeah I considered it because of the sale but these comments on bugs make me hold off (plus I really don’t need it, just thought it’d be fun to try it). I’d really like an SQ-1 mk2, so I hope this sale means the SQ-64 is done and they’re doing something like that… 
(moving the LED brightness discussion here)
My SQ-64 just arrived. I pulled it out of the box and plugged it into the unpowered USB-A hub hanging off my Mac Studio. I could not see the LEDs in direct bright sunlight (the OLED screen was readable though). Once I closed my shades, the LEDs were relatively easy to read. I put in a pattern and jammed a bit with Ableton’s Operator. Easy to use step sequencer with solid basic functionality!
After playing with Ableton, I powered the SQ-64 down and connected the USB cable to one of my Anker multiport power bricks. All of the LEDs were suddenly much brighter, making it difficult to distinguish between steps that are on and those that are off. Previously the “off” LEDs were too dim to see. Fortunately, you can hit the Global button and then the key at the intersection of B row and Polyrhythm column and change USB power from 2A to 500ma. Now the sequencer is easy to use.
This may become slightly bothersome as fall rolls into winter and I want to keep the windows open for as much sun+heat as possible (I’m told Chicago’s winters aren’t quite as warm as SF’s), but should be tolerable.
Overall, I’m already satisfied that my $200 was well spent. TRS <-> DIN adapters should arrive Friday and then I can sequence the Virus with the SQ-64. Should be fun!
Edit: I don’t have any TRS <-> DIN adapters, but I do have 3.5mm to 1/4" cables, so I plugged the Syntrx into the SQ64. It just worked, and now I can choose between the Keystep 37 and SQ64 for Syntrx control duties. 
I’m sure I’ll meet the bugs soon enough, but I have zero buyer’s remorse so far.
Next step is to decide upon my preferred way to connect to the Lyra-Ornament Adapter’s posts, order one of those, and build a cable harness to allow the SQ64’s percussion sequencer to make suggestions to the Lyra.
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I love the sq-1. However this just doesn’t speak to me (yet) - can any fellow sq-1 users advise me to get one anyway? I don’t want to miss out on a hidden gem (as I’m sure many people have missed out on the sq-1).
If i was designing this i’d not have settled on this particular balance, however, it is what it is and i think it’s slightly better in reality, but it is for sure potentially ambiguous and sub-optimal … in my experience (having let my annoyance go) i have found it has not impacted my user experience with it - i wish it was more differentiated, but i liked the whole package far more than i was l willing to be put off by a poor UX choice
let’s be honest, the sq1 knobs are WAY too close (and its buttons are hard to reach) but we love it, the monotribe ribbon is way too small (we love it)and the ms mini knobs are way too wobbly (we still love it) because better options are generally in a different league price wise
Tbh if i get too far from a play with the SQ64 i struggle to see and read the ‘page’ buttons - the finesse is lacking - but i see this in many places, people overlook UX
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It is unfortunate that bright mode (2A) is essentially useless, but I’m satisfied that dim mode (500mA) is usable. It seems like a firmware update could significantly improve the LED buttons.
As it is, I remain satisfied with the SQ-64 as a $200 grid sequencer. I may replace it with a Hapax or something nicer at some point.
Maybe Korg assumes that musicians live in dungeons and don’t have access to bright sunlight.
Underscoring this - Love my Virus, Elektrons, Syntrx, and other expensive gear. I’m impressed with the combination of features and compromises that Korg makes on their “budget” gear. In addition to the SQ-64, I’ve also got the OPSIX, Wavestate, Mk1 Vocal FM and Volca Modular. None are for sale now or any time soon because they are all great synths despite their compromises.
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