PreSonus Studio One
Setup Guide


Guide for setting up
> MP3244 Modulation Processor
> SQ4 Sequence Processor

within Studio One.

MP3244 version must be V2.0.0 or greater.
Please update if you have an older version of the plug-in.

If you need any help please contact us!

External Devices

Using MIDI CC

To modulate an external hardware device, such as a synthesizer, via MIDI CC, please follow the steps described in this section.

Mac OS X: use VST plug-in format, since AU plug-ins do not support a direct MIDI out.

  1. Create a new "Instrument Track" for the Modulation Processor. Add the MP3244 / SQ4.
  2. Configure the MP3244 / SQ4. Select "MIDI To Host" on the "Output" section and make sure, that the Format is set to "MIDI CC".
  3. Create a new "Instrument Track" for your external synth. As Output select the external "Existing Instrument" which is setup to send MIDI to your synth. More information about external hardware can be found here: Studio One External Hardware.
  4. For the "External Synth" track set the MIDI input to the MP3244 / SQ4 MIDI output to receive MIDI messages for your external synth. All MIDI data (notes) which you record should be on the MP3244 / SQ4 Track! This is needed to trigger the Slope and Envelope Generators.
  5. Make sure to turn on the "Monitor" for both of the tracks. Remember to record your MIDI data on the MP3244 / SQ4 track. You may need to set the MIDI input on the MP3244 / SQ4 track according to your setup.

Using MIDI SysEx (Mac only)

This section applies to Mac platforms only. It describes how to setup to send MIDI SysEx Messages to an external device, since Studio One dose not allow to path thru SysEx messages from a plug-in. To get this working you need to send the messages directly to the MIDI port where the external device is located.

Mac OS X: use VST plug-in format.

  1. Create a new "Instrument Track" for the MP3244 / SQ4. Add the MP3244 / SQ4.
  2. Configure the MP3244 / SQ4. Within the "Output" section select "MIDI SysEx" as "Format" and as "Device" select the MIDI port where your device is connected to.
  3. Create a new "Instrument Track" for your external synth. As Output select the external "Existing Instrument" which is setup to send MIDI to your synth. More information about external hardware can be found here: Studio One External Hardware.
  4. For the "External Synth" track set the MIDI input to the MP3244 / SQ4 MIDI output to receive MIDI messages for your external synth. All MIDI data (notes) that you record should be on the MP3244 / SQ4 Track! This is needed to trigger the Slope and Envelope Generators.
  5. Make sure to turn on the "Monitor" for both of the tracks. Remember to record your MIDI data on the MP3244 / SQ4 track. You may need to set the MIDI input on the MP3244 / SQ4 track according to your setup.

Using Audio CV

To modulate an external hardware device, such as a synthesizer, via Control Voltages, please follow the steps described in this section.

In AUDIO CV mode the plug-in functions as a multi-channel plug-in with following configurations:

  • Main Out: No output
  • Output 1 L/R = VCA 1
  • Output 2 L/R = VCA 2
  • Output 3 L/R = VCA 3
  • Output 4 L/R = VCA 4
In order to setup correctly, you need to "Activate" the additional Outputs.

  1. Create a new "Instrument Track" for the MP3244 / SQ4. Add the MP3244 / SQ4.
  2. Create a new "Instrument Track" for your external synth. As Output select the external "Existing Instrument" which is setup to send MIDI to your synth. More information about external hardware can be found here: Studio One External Hardware.
  3. For the "External Synth" track set the MIDI input to the MP3244 / SQ4 MIDI output to receive MIDI messages for your external synth. All MIDI data (notes) that you record should be on the MP3244 / SQ4 Track! This is needed to trigger the Slope and Envelope Generators.
  4. Make sure to turn on the "Monitor" for both of the tracks. Remember to record your MIDI data on the MP3244 / SQ4 track. You may need to set the MIDI input on the MP3244 / SQ4 track according to your setup.
  5. Configure the MP3244 / SQ4. Select "Audio CV" as "Format" on the "Output" section.
  6. Activate the outputs for the MP3244 / SQ4 (open the "Console" and check each MP3244 / SQ4 output which you like to activate).
  7. For each "Output" select a physical output of your audio interface. The CV signal will be sent to selected physical output.
  8. Make sure to set each output to either totally Left or Right to have each VCA signal separated. This applies only if you have stereo output pairs.
  9. Congratulations, you're done!

Internal Devices

In-Host MIDI CC

To modulate a software device, such as a synthesizer via MIDI CC, please follow the steps described in this section.

Mac OS X: use VST plug-in format, since AU plug-ins do not support a direct MIDI out.

  1. Create a new "Instrument Track" for the MP3244 / SQ4.
  2. Configure the MP3244 / SQ4. Select "MIDI To Host" on the "Output" section and make sure, that the Format is set to "MIDI CC".
  3. Create a second "Instrument Track" and add the software device, which you would like to control.
  4. On the "Instrument Track" set the MIDI input to the MP3244 / SQ4 MIDI output to receive MIDI messages for your internal synth. All MIDI data (notes) that you record should be on the MP3244 / SQ4 Track! This is needed to trigger the Slope and Envelope Generators.
  5. Within VCA1 select the Continuous Controller number you want to send. If your virtual synth has a MIDI learn function you can choose any number.

    A: MIDI learn function
    This only applies if your virtual synth has a MIDI learn function: enable MIDI learn and click on the desired parameter. Go to the MP3244 / SQ4 and “twittle” the VCA1 GAIN knob. The synth should now receive the CC messages. As soon you are finished, turn the MIDI learn function off.

    B: No MIDI learn function
    If your synth does not provide any MIDI learn function you need to grab the synth manual and see if and what MIDI CCs are available. To modulate the CC you need to select the specific CC number within the VCA1 of the MP3244 / SQ4.
  6. Make sure that you turn on the tracks "Monitor" functions. You are all set!