Ensoniq Esq-1: First Impressions

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picked up one of these and this is the first 20 or so minutes ive spent with it.




the sounds are mainly presets (one exception), and are, in order of appearance:
KICK (doing all the drums actually)
SLOSTR
HARP2
wobbly bass courtesy noggin
MINIM

whoever put the idea in my head that these things lack in the low end can kiss mine also...i really hope you have a sub or some good speakers.
this basically makes me feel like im in the second world of sonic the hedgehog.


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The Ensoniq ESQ-1 is a hybrid synthesizer / sequencer. Hybrid in this case being defined as using digital sources for the oscillator waveforms, then run through tried and true analog filters. This provides for a pretty unique synth: without the drift and detuning that could be found in a VCO, many more base waveform possibilities, but all run through an analog signal path for really 'warm' 'phat' 'authentic' sound coloration.

Not to mention the modulation possibilities are really intense...3 independent (and equal) LFOs, FOUR envelope generators (which are not your standard ADSR type, but instead the Time/Level style), velocity + keyboard + modwheel.

The editing is beautiful...dedicated buttons for each function (filter, DCAs 1-4, LFOs, ENVs, etc) and then a slider that has actually held up surprisingly well. The screen is a gorgeous green/turquoise on black alphanumeric display (think old alarm clock).

There is a damn near flawless free vsti emulation of the bigger brother, the SQ80 over at http://www.buchty.net/ensoniq/.

and finally, the king of all youtubes:



I love you all