Help with Roland CSQ-600

[Morechips]

sorry i don't have direct experience with the csq600 (though I would like to try one if I could find one cheap!), but it does not make sense for it not to have some means by which to switch between clock sources....unless the jack socket breaks the internal clock source's connection? but you say the internal metronome is still driving the sequencer.

Generally i don't think a gate signal is best to clock from though it can and often does work, but dedicated clock sources put out either a very short pulse or in some cases a square wave.

Have you tried different cables? you probably have but its worth asking! and if after you have exhausted all the possibilities it still isn't happening it may be a case of a broken solder joint which seems to be quite common on older bits of kit like this. I have 2 analogue synths with dodgy sync inputs....one needs a wiggle and it is usually fine the other does not work at all and needs resoldering, both Rolands.

I think it should just work as you have it. The spec for the Step input is +3V to +15V, so you should have enough voltage. I assume you have selected one of the four memory locations for playback?

Does the metronome actually beep when you trigger the CSQ? This would imply that it is some sort of Load mode. Make sure Sync Load is set to Load Off.

Other than that I can't think of anything.

[Shadow84]

Originally Posted by Morechips

but it does not make sense for it not to have some means by which to switch between clock sources....unless the jack socket breaks the internal clock source's connection? but you say the internal metronome is still driving the sequencer.

I know it does not make any sense. Also in the manual there's no reference at all. It describes clocking methods but does not state anything about selecting internal or external source.

Originally Posted by Mr Arkadin

I assume you have selected one of the four memory locations for playback?

Do you mean to just set one of the switches to on and try to record CV only or CV/Gate data? I did it : / When it's in Load mode and the sequence repeat is On I can actually hear the external sequencer clocking the CSQ but once i press Play the CSQ will play on the tempo set by the metronome. I am afraid that I am doing something wrong, and the manual is not clear.

Originally Posted by Mr Arkadin

Does the metronome actually beep when you trigger the CSQ? This would imply that it is some sort of Load mode. Make sure Sync Load is set to Load Off.

The metronome is not beeping when I am triggering the CSQ from the Urzwerg Pro. It is beeping though when I set the metronome level to M or H while I am in LOAD mode. The Sync Load is off. Do you have a CSQ-600? Does it immediately immediately clock to external units as soon as you are plugging a gate/trigger to its step input? Thanks.

I do have a CSQ-600 but I have never tried the Step input and at the moment it is in a different country to me so I cannot try it out for you, but I would be doing exactly what you are to trigger it - and that's how it's described in the somewhat brief manual.

When you say you hit play, do you mean on the Urzwerg or the CSQ? You shouldn't need to hit play on the CSQ. The CSQ should just react to each gate pulse and plays one step of your programmed CSQ sequence whenever it receives a pulse.

There seems no way to set it it to look at internal or external signals, so I assume it 'sees' both and reacts to whichever it receives.

[Shadow84]

Originally Posted by Mr Arkadin

When you say you hit play, do you mean on the Urzwerg or the CSQ? You shouldn't need to hit play on the CSQ. The CSQ should just react to each gate pulse and plays one step of your programmed CSQ sequence whenever it receives a pulse.

I mean when I press play while I am in Load mode. It starts playing (Enters Play mode) with the speed of the internal metronome even though an external step input is also used.

I'm a bit confused as to what you're actually doing. Are you trying to load a sequence or play one?

I would personally just play in your sequence into the CSQ using the internal metronome, and then trigger that sequence afterwards via the Step.

I'm not even sure you can enter data with the clock input going if that is indeed what you are trying to do.

[Shadow84]

Originally Posted by Mr Arkadin

I'm a bit confused as to what you're actually doing. Are you trying to load a sequence or play one?

I would personally just play in your sequence into the CSQ using the internal metronome, and then trigger that sequence afterwards via the Step.

I'm not even sure you can enter data with the clock input going if that is indeed what you are trying to do.

Sorry for the confusion, After loading a sequence, I am pressing play but it will run on the tempo specified by the internal metronome. I am going to try now to add data while the external clock is not plugged in, however, I don't think it matters as there's nothing stated about this in the manual : /

You shouldn't have to ht play - as soon as the CSQ receives the first gate signal it should play the first note. You will have to have a steady stream of pulses to play the whole sequence. The pulses don't even have to be regular - rhythmic gates will produce rhythmic patterns from the CSQ as it is only playing back CV data and gets its timing from the Step trigger.

Also, what are you triggering as a sound source (not that this should make any real difference)?

[Shadow84]

Originally Posted by Mr Arkadin

You shouldn't have to ht play - as soon as the CSQ receives the first gate signal it should play the first note. You will have to have a steady stream of pulses to play the whole sequence. The pulses don't even have to be regular - rhythmic gates will produce rhythmic patterns from the CSQ as it is only playing back CV data and gets its timing from the Step trigger.

Also, what are you triggering as a sound source (not that this should make any real difference)?

I do have a steady stream of pulses going in the CSQ, however, in Load mode the sequence stops running in order to load data. Then as soon as I am pressing play it starts running again. Instead of being clocked to the external source it runs with the metronome's tempo. With the CSQ I am triggering a SH-101.

Try this:

1. In Load mode, play your sequence into Memory Part-1 with no pulse being sent from the Urzwerg, just do it manually from the SH-101 with the CSQ metronome beep and a tempo near to what you will eventually play back at. Make sure Sync Load is set to "Load Off".

2. With Part-1 in the "On" (down) position for playback, set playback mode to "Repeat".

3. Press the CSQ's [Reset] button.

4. Now start the Urzwerg clock pulses and see what happens. Perhaps try a slower tempo to see if the pulses are too fast for the CSQ.

[Shadow84]

It works now! I guess by pressing Play the metronome is being activated. Nevertheless, when I press Stop/Continue Play the CSQ syncs to the metronome again, so there is no way to stop from running unless one of the four memory parts is empty so I can turn it on for obtaining "silence". But what if I want to use all 4 memory parts? Do you think that's normal operation for the Stop/Continue Play and Play buttons to start the internal metronome? Thanks a lot!

Yes, by hitting play you are overriding the external input and just playing from the internal clock.

I don't know the Urzwerg but is it possible to stop sending clock from it for the silent passages?

Do you want the Urzwerg to continue playing and the CSQ to 'go silent', or are you happy to stop the Urzwerg which would give you your silence?

You could just reach for the volume knob on the SH-101 and leave the CSQ running. You could then switch to Part-2 etc. then fade it back in, which is old school I admit, but simple.

The key would be to find out if you have to hit the [Reset] button every time or just at the beginning. It may be possible to hit [Stop] and then select e.g. Part-2 and then if the Urzwerg clock is still going hit [Reset] on the CSQ and it may start playing again instantly, although you may have to be pretty accurate to hit it right.

[Shadow84]

Thanks for your help, I am just using a dedicated clock unit that I have got to start/stop the CSQ-600.

[Forbidden Planet]

Originally Posted by Shadow84

It works now! I guess by pressing Play the metronome is being activated. Nevertheless, when I press Stop/Continue Play the CSQ syncs to the metronome again, so there is no way to stop from running unless one of the four memory parts is empty so I can turn it on for obtaining "silence". But what if I want to use all 4 memory parts? Do you think that's normal operation for the Stop/Continue Play and Play buttons to start the internal metronome? Thanks a lot!

yes that is a limitation but normal