The Kawai Q80 and Q80EX are both MIDI sequencers. A sequencer is software on a computer or stand-alone keyboard device that creates a sound sequence from a series (or sequence) of Musical Instrument Digital Interface ( midi ) events in digital audio recording (operations).
MIDI sequencers enable the user to record and modify a musical track without the need for an audio input device. In this article, we will provide information about the Kawai Q80 and Q80ex.
Kawai Q80
The Q80 can store up to 26,000 notes and their related velocities internally. These notes can be used to form up to 10 tunes. Each Song can include up to 32 Tracks, each of which contains the notes, time signature, and MIDI channel for one musical component.
Additionally, it also has a Motif feature that may be utilized within each Song. A Motif is a distinct memory region that may be used to construct Song sections one at a time, similar to a pattern in a drum machine. Each Song can include up to 100 Motifs.
The Kawai Q80’s most amazing feature is its capacity to record songs in their entirety. That is to piece a song together or directly on the 32 tracks by recording portions as Motifs and then stringing a number of these segments together in a track to construct a song.
Kawai Q80 Pros
- Directly record songs together.
- Q80 offers editing options to fine-tune the sequence after it’s been recorded.
- It can store up to 26,000 notes.
Kawai Q80EX
The Q-80EX sequencer is an improved version of the original Q-80 sequencer. The capacity of notes to be recorded has been increased to 52,000 notes, and the “motif” section now includes 1,000 motifs. This means you’ll be able to play songs that contain a large number of notes. There are still 10 songs and 32 tracks available, as well as accurate MIDI editing and control. You can still do real-time and step recording, and MIDI system exclusive message storage to the built-in 3.5″ disk drive.
Additionally, the Q- 80EX is completely compatible with standard MIDI files. This way, you’ll be able to playback songs that are recorded on other devices. All you need is to convert them to standard MIDI file format.
Kawai Q80EX Pros
- Directly record songs together.
- Q80 offers editing options to fine-tune the sequence after it’s been recorded.
- It can store up to 52,000 notes.
- 1000 Motifs.
- Songs length up to 999 Bars.
| Kawai Q80 | KawaiQ80EX | |
| INPUTS | Number of MIDI Ins : 1 | Number of MIDI Ins : 1 |
| OUTPUTS | Number of MIDI Outs (excluding Thru) : 1 | Number of MIDI Outs (excluding Thru) : 1 |
| CONTROLS | • Record mode: Punch IN and OUT/Footswitch • Bar Edit: Delete, Insert, Erase, Mix, Copy, Quantize, Velocity modify, Gate time modify, Event Extract, Transpose, Move, Note Split, Make Motif • Event Edit: Note, Control Change, Mode, Program Change, Channel Pressure, Pitch Bender, System Exclusive. | • Tempo: 40-250 • Clock: INT/MIDI/TAPE • Record mode: Punch IN and OUT • Bar Edit: Delete, Insert, Erase, Mix, Copy, Quantize, Velocity modify, Gate time modify, Event Extract. • Event Edit: Insert, Replace, Delete |
| CONNECTION TYPE | N/A | N/A |
| MONITORING | N/A | N/A |
| COMPATIBILITY | N/A | N/A |
| SIZE | • Width: 390MM • Depth: 232MM • Height: 68MM | • Width: 390MM • Depth: 232MM • Height: 68MM |
| WEIGHT | 2.2KG | 1.5KG |
| INCLUDED APPS | N/A | N/A |
| WARRANTY | N/A | N/A |
Comparison
The Kawai Q80 and Q80EX are both reliable MIDI sequencers. As mentioned above, there are several similarities and differences between them. If you’re using a MIDI sequencer professionally, you might need the Kawa Q80EX as it’s more advanced. But, if you’re making music casually and just started the basics, you might want to check out the Kawai Q80.
