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ESQ-1

Ensoniq ESQ-1

ESQ-1

Released: 1986

MSRP: $1295US

Synopsis:

The ESQ family was Ensoniq's first synthesizer workstation (80's lingo for "includes a sequencer"). Unlike most subtractive synths, each oscillator has a dedicated amplifier (along with the usual post-filter amp) Most modulation destinations (e.g. OSCs, DCAs, Filter, pan, LFO depth) can have up to two modulation sources, although Pan and DCA4 only have one. Waveforms (single cycle) are mostly "synthetic" waves (i.e. subtractive, additive, and formant based waves) and a few samples. Architecture Class: Conventional (subtractive).

Ebay Description:

The Ensoniq ESQ-1 is an pressure and velocity sensitive 61 key (8 voice, 9 channel multitimbral) synthesizer, featuring three oscillators (32 waveforms), a 24dB low pass analog filter, four (4 rate, 3 level) envelopes, three LFOs, 8 track sequencer, versatile modulation, and MIDI. 40 presets can be saved via MIDI SysEx, cartridge, or tape.

Physical

Form Factor Dimensions Weight Audio Input Audio Output Communication Port Control Input Control Output Switch Input Power
61 keys ? ? no stereo MIDI IN OUT THRU pedal no pedal:sustain pedal:sequencer AC

Interface

Compatibility Multitimbral Memory Program Memory External Storage External Programming UI Input UI Output
ESQ-1 ESQ-M SQ-80 (limited) no user:40 cartridge:80 (STC-8 or Voice-80) Tape In/Out (TS) Program cartridge (RAM:STC-8, ROM:STC-8A, STC-8B) Sequencer cartridge (SQX-10 32kB/10k note expander) MIDI SysEx menu based florescent display

Architecture

Multitimbral Polyphony Unison Architecture
9 8 no DCO/DCA1+DCO/DCA2+DCO/DCA3->VCF->DCA4->Pan

Output

Effects Pan Modulator Volume Modulator Headphone
Portamento pressure ENV1-4 key LFO1-3 MIDI-CC Mod-Wheel pedal velocity ENV4 no

Control

Arpeggiator Arpeggiator External Sequencer Sequencer Memory Sequencer External Continuous Program Change
no N/A 8 track 30 sequences, 10 songs, 2.4k note capacity (expands to 10k with Sequencer Expander Cartridge). Sequences can be saved to tape, MIDI, or Mirage disk MIDI pedal Mod-Wheel Pitch-Wheel MIDI-Bend MIDI-CC1 MIDI-CC2 MIDI-CC4 MIDI-CC6 MIDI-CC7 no

Keyboard

Key Pressure Chord Memory External Control External Sustain Key Scaling Velocity Curves
channel polyphonic no MIDI (guitar mono mode) MIDI pedal 2 2

Source

Name Signal Class Waveform Octave Range Amplitude Modulator Harmonics Modulator Pitch Modulator Wave Assign Modulator
OSC1 digital 32 +-3 pressure ENV1-4 key LFO1-3 MIDI-CC Mod-Wheel pedal velocity no pressure ENV1-4 key LFO1-3 MIDI-CC Mod-Wheel pedal velocity portamento no
OSC2 digital 32 +-3 pressure ENV1-4 key LFO1-3 MIDI-CC Mod-Wheel pedal velocity OSC1 sync:OSC1 pressure ENV1-4 key LFO1-3 MIDI-CC Mod-Wheel pedal velocity portamento no
OSC3 digital 32 +-3 pressure ENV1-4 key LFO1-3 MIDI-CC Mod-Wheel pedal velocity no pressure ENV1-4 key LFO1-3 MIDI-CC Mod-Wheel pedal velocity portamento no

Filter

Name Signal Class IC Resonant Shape Frequency Modulator Resonance Modulator Shape Modulator
VCF analog CEM3379 yes 24dB low pass pressure ENV1-4 key LFO1-3 MIDI-CC Mod-Wheel pedal velocity no no

Envelope

Name Level Rate Loop Polarity Trigger Level Modulator Rate Modulator
ENV1 3 4 no yes key velocity key:decay velocity:attack
ENV2 3 4 no yes key velocity key:decay velocity:attack
ENV3 3 4 no yes key velocity key:decay velocity:attack
ENV4 3 4 no yes key velocity key:decay velocity:attack
LFO1-EG initial final 1 no no no no no
LFO2-EG initial final 1 no no no no no
LFO3-EG initial final 1 no no no no no

LFO

Name Waveform Delay Polarity Sync Delay Modulator Level Modulator Rate Modulator
LFO1 noise saw:up square triangleup yes no key no no no
LFO2 noise saw:up square triangleup yes no key no no no
LFO3 noise saw:up square triangleup yes no key no no no
Conventional Models
ESQ-1 ESQ-M SQ-80