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Ensonique ESQ-1

S+S workstation very flexible programming. Has an 8 track real time  sequencer on board. There are some usable if not a little limited analogue drum sounds in the presets. You can create better ones if you  take the time to program them. There are very extensive libraries around if you can find a librarian. 8 way multi-timbrel.  Flexible midi set-up. Digital control and analogue filters give it a warm sound and modern features.

Sounds

Great warm analogue sounds, Some people hate the piano because its not as bright as the M1 type of piano but I love it, you just need to boost the top end when you EQ it. It can make some very hot analogue sounds a pretty good bass guitar sample, plucky analogue sounds. Dose a screaming fat cross mod res sound, you know that EAAHHHOOOO sound like in No doubts Just a girl. Comes with a read only card of extra sounds that takes the out of the box number of patches to 120, not bad for its vintage. I also have a writ-able card.

Relations

The first of the now de-funked Ensoniq synths later came the SQ-80, SQ-1 and the VFX I think Ensoniq has been taken over by E-MU.

 

Pro

  • Great warm sound.

  • Very well written software, flexible sound generation, something like a virtual modular synth.

  • They are good value on the second hand market if you can find one.

  • Lots of patch memory for a synth of its price range (if you have the eeprom card 120 patches).

Con

  • And they are susceptible to crash if the power supply is not very good. Like in most "PUB Guigs".

  • A bit weak on the upper frequencies but can be compensated with eq.

  • Runs out of sequencing memory pretty fast.

  • There are no drum samples you have to make your own analogue style stuff.

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