Ensoniq ESQ-1 soundscape - Minutes till darkness

I finally took the opportunity to make a video with the Ensoniq ESQ-1. I did a 'first impression video' and stumbled through it. Now I'm a little more well-versed. I actually had an overhead view of what I was doing, but the video wasn't syncing up properly, so I had to trash that one.
Wow - I think the ESQ sounds amazing. I'm really surprised honestly. It's not a 3rd Wave or anything, but - you can actually get some interesting 'wave shaping' on here by utilizing sync, which is what I was doing. Sounded fantastic and frankly, I liked it just as much as the 3rd wave.
And here's the thing - people complain that the ESQ doesn't update it's parameters in real time. Yeah - this kind of sucks with cutoff (maybe it would update in realtime with the mod wheel? If so, that is perfect, just haven't tried it yet). Well - I actually prefer it this way and I'll tell you why: because on things like the 3rd wave when you change a parameter, it immediately changes your sound and its jarring. On the ESQ, I can make changes and they only are apparent at the next key strike and that is absolutely great when I'm doing these live soundscapes. Yeah, sure, it would be nice to hear some things in real-time... but I thought it was perfect the way it was.
Very easy to get around on this thing for a mostly-button interface.
Final thoughts:
1) I'm surprised I hadn't bought an ESQ-1 earlier.
2) I think it sounds better than the Prophet 12, on par with or equal to the Ambika, different or maybe equal to the 3rd Wave although it can't exactly do the same thing...
3) Filters sound gorgeous. Surprised that they sort of step when the envelopes go slow, but actually it's kind of more like good character IMO.
4) How are these things so cheap given how good they are? How? Just because the interface looks bad? Not a knobby synth? Overly mass produced?
Fantastic synth. Wow.

[@fizgak]

My Dad bought me an SQ-80 (ESQ-1 with a few more waveforms and poly AT) for my 15th birthday. I was lost in it for months... interface on it is so great. Hands down easiest-to-program digital synth of the 80s.

[@MIDERA]

Oh cool! I had a SQ-80 for only a day. It never turned on in my studio. Returned it (but the experience of returning it to Music Go Round was so frustrating that I decided I'd never go back). And then yeah, the ESQ came my way. I'd wanted one for a long time but just never really got to trying it out. It's a great synth. I agree about the interface. It's a special synth for sure. I suspect there are no equals even to this day (for the price).

[@cgxone7578]

I've had the ESQ-1 in my studio for about 3 years now and it's not going anywhere! Irreplaceable sound textures! It holds it's own against my prophet 6 and JX-8P!

[@MIDERA]

Oh nice! Yeah, I’ve only had it about a week, but it sounds great.

[@dubstationzero4908]

one super cool thing that the ensoniqs have is a ton of voltage head room in the expression pedal input allowing them to directly interface with eurorack cv. with a simple tip ring splitter and a dc coupled interface you can use ableton or bitwig as a smooth real time modulation source . all voltage so no stepping . 🖖

[@MIDERA]

Nice! I don’t really have any eurorack gear, apart from the matriarch and now Pro2 which have CV . I probably wouldn’t use this feature but cool to know!

[@dubstationzero4908]

@@MIDERA you can use CV from your daw, ableton has "CV tools" and bitwig has it too . Just use a 1/4 in ts cable from an output on your dc coupled interface to the tip part of a tip ring spliter and plug that into your expression input . and now you have looping envelopes , all kinds of lfo shapes and so on . will work with your eps as well .

[@_MattSauer_]

It does do realtime with the mod wheel or other performance modulation sources, just not when editing parameters. My first full keyboard synth and first "workstation" after a CZ-101. Love the sounds you got out of it.

[@MIDERA]

Ah yeah makes sense. Very cool that you can at least do that. It’s such an advanced synth. So many cool things you can do with it. And it sounds incredible.

[@TheRiotousMind]

Awesome soundscapes! The ESQ-1 is definitely the synth I play most often. It's unique, sounds great and is surprisingly intuitive.

[@MIDERA]

Yeah, it’s really great. I’m sitting here and realizing what I can manipulate to get some interesting tones out of the ESQ. Thanks!

[@andreylozhkin2086]

Thank you for the vid, great sounds! Yes, you can change parameters real-time via either mod wheel, or 4 assignable CC.

[@MIDERA]

Ah, I figured! Just hadn’t tested it. Thanks!

[@mamakuproject]

wow. makes me happy to have just scored a ESQ1- you are making killer sounds with it

[@MIDERA]

Congrats! It’s a great synth!

[@TimesOfTheSines.official]

I call my Sq80, The Jellotron

[@MIDERA]

Ha! Nice. I had an SQ80 for a day, but it never worked in my studio. I don’t know why. It’s a shame the Keybed isn’t the best, but now I kind of want one of those instead of the ESQ.

[@user-lp3kb1gc8o]

There's no doubt it's a classic instrument, but more than that, your sound is vintage itself.🫶

[@MIDERA]

Thanks!!! I’m really enjoying it.

[@mathumphreys]

I'm so happy to see the ESQ-1 get this kind of love - you are definitely king of ambience! I haven't heard the ESQ-1 do this before so I'd be really interested in a breakdown video if you ever got the chance. In relation to real time changes, I'm pretty sure you can't hear changes in real time when your programming (you can only use the data slider to change values as far as I know) but live obviously you can assign the mod wheel to whatever (and there is a CV input on the back). Also, all ESQ-1 patches should work on an SQ-80, but not vice-versa. You can try them out on the great little (FREE) SQ80L vst. Really looking forward to more ESQ-1!! Great work!

[@MIDERA]

Thanks - I am not 100% sure I saved the patch to make a breakdown, but yeah, I could do something like that. I have a first impression video, but I guess a lot of that was stumbling through it. Thanks!

[@mathumphreys]

@@MIDERA yep, I've seen the first impression video. I think as soon as KZbin sees a new ESQ1 video it notified me ha ha

[@LowGainElectronics]

Absolutely beautiful

[@MIDERA]

Thanks!

[@Shevaron]

Incredible sounds.

[@MIDERA]

Thanks :)

[@Patrick-pv9pe]

Love all the Ensoniq videos 🥰

[@MIDERA]

Thanks :)

[@jackcimino8822]

In 2017, I got an ESQ-1 for $268 including tax and shipping. I unfortunately sold it during the pandemic to get my savings back up (and also because the output was somehow too quiet for pedals). However, it is one of my favorite synths that I have ever owned. You can actually make the ESQ-1/SQ80's filter self-oscillate with Sysex hacking. If you are looking for a softsynth alternative, I think that both SQ8L and SQ80V nail the sound very well; however, Tone2's Icarus 3 and u-He's Hive 2 can also give off nice hybrid vibes! In the future, I might get an Ambika (Xena version with Roland filters), but the Hydrasynth can kind of get into that territory. Oh, and the best thing about the ESQ-1 is the fact that you can hold down a chord of a previous sound while playing the next patch. The old Casio Tonebank PCM keyboards let you do that too. How cool is that?!

[@MIDERA]

Yeah, the ESQ is awesome, nice price on yours! I don't know much about the Hydrasynth, but everything I hear it sounds a little weak (I mean, what I hear from other people). The Ambika is an awesome hybrid synth though, so if you could go for that, I would think it was the spiritual successor to the ESQ. And yeah, that is cool about holding down a chord and going to a new patch! Thanks :)

[@jackcimino8822]

@@MIDERA The Hydrasynth sounds better in person than in the videos. It doesn't have character by default, but careful programming can get you there. The creative patches video by Jexus is by far my favorite demo.

[@avanishpatel3076]

Sounds incredible, thanks!

[@MIDERA]

Thanks!

[@EvilDragon666]

Congrats! It is definitely a synth of all times.

[@MIDERA]

It is, for sure! Such a good synth :) thanks!

[@caydilemma3309]

I’ve never even heard of this this thing and now it’s on my list of interesting digital synths to cop one day

[@MIDERA]

Technically it’s a hybrid (digital oscillators and analog filters), but yeah, it sounds amazing!

[@mauriziofaggion]

An evolving and truly relaxing track, my mind is in another dimension!

[@MIDERA]

Thanks!

[@ryangallagher4914]

@MIDERA I feel like you'd love the ensoniq SD-1. It's a very overlooked and underrated synth. Fully digital, non resonant filters, and a very rudimentary wavetable transwave synthesis. It's got a polyphonic aftertouch keybed and a beautiful vacuuflorescent display. It's another "puzzle" synth, but it definitely can reward one with unique and beautiful sounds and expressive play options.

[@MIDERA]

Yeah. There’s one local to me for like $450, but I’ve got too much stuff right now. Thanks

[@ryangallagher4914]

@@MIDERA too much synth? Impossible.

[@MIDERA]

Indeed, my studio is stuffed full of that stuff.

[@Blurillaz]

ensoniqs sounding great very immersive

[@MIDERA]

Yeah - I love how it sounds. Thanks :)

[@cyberamus]

What an absolute pleasure on the ears! Mysterious yet uplifting. Gorgeous harmonics from the synth and timely edits during journey. I'm not ab player so wouldn't know, but did the sound of the synth lead you in any way? Thanks for sharing and peace from the UK

[@MIDERA]

Thanks! Thats a good question, although I’m not sure whether a synth ever leads me one way or another, I suppose they must to some degree. I think they lead me more into how I want the tone of the track to me… if that makes any sense. Thanks for the kind words!

[@VincentZauhar]

Awesome as always! Some nice textures in there. Thanks!

[@MIDERA]

Thanks!

[@gonzinigonz]

Sound great those ESQ-1's. I think better than the VFX i had which i also really liked, just dated rom waveform's for the most part. Prefer this over the 3rd wave, just sounds much more organic and has character.

[@MIDERA]

Yeah - I think I’m with you. I would think that the ESQ for a keyboard, and an ambika for a desktop and those are great hybrid synths. 3rd was does sound good and the UI is maybe better but this is still amazing for what it does.

[@alessandrogolinelli3185]

Adoro questo Synth. Cerco da molto tempo

[@MIDERA]

Me too. Thanks for stopping by.

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

I keep listening on repeat, this video made my coveted "the sound" playlist. Would you say sq-80 would make identical sounds?

[@MIDERA]

I'm pretty sure they sound identical except that the ESQ1 has a better keybed, the SQ80 has poly-aftertouch, and the SQ80 has more oscillator types. I don't have the SQ80 though.

[@joshuahelmeke]

I think JMJ used one of these back in the day… Very dystopian, indeed.

[@t55a2]

Not sure he did, he had better stuff lying around. Is there any information when he used it, if so?

[@VincentZauhar]

@@t55a2 Yes, he did use it on his album Revolutions.

[@t55a2]

@@VincentZauhar Cool, thanks for letting me know

[@MIDERA]

Nice!

[@wholeheartedsongs]

This synth is truly special. Has a lot of character and grit. My SQ80 gets crazy hot in the back. What about your ESQ1?

[@MIDERA]

Yeah, the ESQ gets pretty hot. For sure it has a ton of character and grit. Reminds me of my Mirage (for what I'd use it for). Strangely enough, the Mirage has much smoother LFOs and Envelopes!

[@memetunestudio]

What a lovely synth-study! Great work! I think the ESQ1 is one of the most underrated synths ever. It was the very first synth of its kind - predating the D50, and the first of what I call the "layer-synths" which went on to dominate the 1990s and beyond. I made a video about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6vOZH5rpNSkq7c

[@MIDERA]

Wow - I just went over to your channel - do you produce and make everything for those videos? They’re amazingly good. It’s too late to watch it now, but I saved it for later. Can’t wait to dig in more. I also didn’t realize the ESQ-1 came out before the D50. That’s kind of surprising, although I don’t know why. I also have the D50 and, as difficult as it is to edit, there’s nothing quite like it! Thanks for your comment :)

[@memetunestudio]

@@MIDERA Hi Midera. Yes I do everything myself - its a real labor of love 😁. And yes, the ESQ1 came out in '85 and the D50 in '87 - I really think the ESQ1 is one of the most influential synths of the 80s in its way - even more so than the DX7, because it spawned pretty much every synth of the late 80s and 90s - they all took the same idea - the Korg M1, the D50, the Yamaha SY range, the Kawais, and of course all the later Ensoniqs - the Layersynth was invented in the ESQ1

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

Sp are the sounds you are playing built in or did you sample those? Basically would love to have these sounds somehow

[@MIDERA]

Hi - you can't sample into the ESQ-1, so they're generated through the synth itself.

[@halcyo]

I've had an SQ80 for a while, that I got for $100 off a guy who really didn't know what it even was. I'm very intrigued by it, and I LOVE sounds like you're getting from yours, and many other youtube patch makers, but damn I am not having an easy time wrapping my mind around how to make these types of sounds with what is available in the synth. All of the internal patches are very corny and mostly sad attempts at making "realistic" instrument sounds. Any chance you would make these patches available for me to dissect and be inspired by?

[@MIDERA]

Hmm - I guess the first thing I do is come up with an 'init' patch which has a basic saw wave, drop all modulations, and open the filter. I use that to go and make patches from. I probably could put together a patch set. I don't know if I saved this one! I'll have to check. Thanks! I am not 100% sure ESQ1 patches load in the SQ80, do they?

[@halcyo]

Good tips. Ill have to see how to dial in an INIT patch. Yea, the SQ80 is basically just an upgraded ESQ1 and the patches are entirely compatible. There are some SQ80 patches that wouldn’t work on ESQ1 because of exclusive waves on the SQ80.

[@soupforare]

They're so cheap because they were built to a price point. Echoes of the initial runs of EPS' having a poor keyboard design requiring repair between the split boards harmed reputation, even if the ESQ doesn't suffer from it. It does suffer from PSU issues. This far away from manufacture, surviving units are likely to survive, bathtub curve and all. I'd suggest anyone with a working unit have it gone through and psu replaced or refurbished so that it doesn't climb up the other side of the curve! At the least make sure the batt has been changed!~ Some people don't like the modal interface, but I feel it's very straightforward and a good compromise. I like the blofeld for similar reason so maybe it's masochism lol

[@soupforare]

One thing it definitely has over the P12 is multitimbrality, it's 8-part! Oft neglected feature, similar to blofeld, for similar reason, it's fiddly to use. Worth it though.

[@MIDERA]

Good points! I know my Mirage's have had multiple PSU issues, so yeah, that would suck if this does at some point too. Thanks :)

[@t55a2]

Only downside is 8-note polyphony, but it is a very good synthesizer nonetheless

[@MIDERA]

Yeah, definitely is a downside. I think there are a few downsides. Buttons versus knobs… doesn’t update parameters until next key press (I think that’s a pro personally), but it still sounds great.

[@dubstationzero4908]

8 is a pretty hefty voice count for analog filters , same as a jupiter 8 and more than junos and prophets . it also has three osc per voice which all have dcas pre filter alowing for d50 like programming/architecture . a d50 is 32 voice but each osc/partial counts against its voice count allowing for only 8 note polyphony the same as the esq-1 . so no matter if you want to compare it against the digital standard of the era or any of the great analog Classics 8 is a solid voice count.

[@MIDERA]

Yeah, I agree with you. I actually kind of don’t like high voice counts because it makes the sound muddy in some ways. This synth is amazing tbh.

[@soupforare]

It'll do 'MIDI overflow' to another unit, keyboard or ESQ-m, and its novelty is that it's more than 'just' odd/even like on some synths, it'll couple voice edits between the two. Basically making it an expander for the driving unit.

[@jackcimino8822]

More notes than a 6-string guitar though.

[@TimesOfTheSines.official]

Does anybody know what type of VCF circuitry was used for ESQ1 & Sq80 synths?

[@synthnerd4539]

CEM3379 for the ESQ-1. It's a combined 24dB LP VCF & VCA.

[@MIDERA]

It’s a CEM 3379, not sure if that’s what you’re asking.