ENSONIQ SQ-80 Synthesizer 1987 | NEW PATCHES | HD DEMO

[@AnalogAudio1]

Do you want these patches (sounds) for your SQ-80? You can buy these patches, read the video description.

[@bull_goose_loony]

Around the 3 minute mark I was like "wow, that crackle is incredible" then I realised it was a jalopy of a truck passing by my window and throwing its rust to the road along with the strings. Made a nice duo

[@mattsynth]

My first keyboard was an Ensoniq ESQ 1. The Ensoniq factory was in my town in PA and put out some innovative keyboards in the years they were in business. Great sound, quality and easy to program keyboards back in the day. They also manufactured the Mirage the first affordable sampler.

[@Fluxwithit]

Malvern? Not far from me ;)

[@lovecraftmusic8717]

Easy to program? I have the vst and I didn't even understand how to actually change one single parameter...if I do the sound remains the same.

[@zimmermb64]

Wow.. you are really good. Very talented. Thanks for posting this. I’ve had an SQ80 sitting in my closet collecting dust for the last 15 years or so. I’m going to bust it out and get familiar with it again. I forgot how versatile this thing is…

[@ingoodmusic]

The most underrated synth on this planet.

[@samonik11]

Shhhhhhhhhh! ;)

[@KurtFuller]

ingoodmusic - Not so underrated when it uses to be for sale at 800€ or more.

[@javiceres]

But not on mars

[@SweetChinMuzik1]

@@KurtFuller when you consider Jupiter 8's and CS-80's go for 8-10k.....and the ESQ/SQ can fake analog sounds AND do things the J8 and CS could never come close to doing....it's EXTREMELY underrated.

[@AEMachinas]

I can get all these sounds on my k3

[@RayyMusik]

Sounds like a synth should sound. I haven’t heard a fundamental progress during the past 30 years.

[@toomanyclamps130]

Picking one of these up today for $400! I'm pumped!!!

[@NegativeReferral]

My Mom has one of these from '87, and it still sounds good today. Currently, I have a Roland Fantom, but if Ensoniq were still around, I probably would have bought their latest offering instead.

[@YchchataTohtobul]

Разве их больше не выпускают?🤔

[@janpieternieman5295]

Me want me need basically, me want great build tank like instrument with out of this world sounds. So the DX7 and this one are on zaa list! Great channel.

[@LocalForecast]

There will never be an end to my wishlist 😩 This is very nice

[@wjec1970]

Nice demo, AA. My best friend owned an ESQ-1 for a few years and used to let me borrow it. Absolutely adored that synth. He then ended up working at a company selling synths and they had an SQ-80 for a while. I wish I'd had the money to buy it. I'm going have to make do with the SQ-8L plug-in I'm afraid, brilliant though it is. Maybe one day I'll get lucky? ;-)

[@Eric_In_SF]

sounds luscious! My brother had an ESQ one that I used to love playing with. The sequencer was phenomenal. I might just pick one up. Kind of hard to believe these are under $800.

[@chinossynthesizer705]

Under 800? Theirs people selling this for 1000

[@foolproof3091]

Great Synthesizer! I love the sounds! I play my SQ-80 everyday:-)

[@JayKaufman]

This is very 'digital' sounding yet also warm and analogue too. It's got a certain amount of harsh digital brashness, yet also that warm depth of analogue too. I want one. I only wish there were more hands on controls.

[@conjuredcircuits4493]

That's because they're digital waveforms with analog Curtis filters ;)

[@wizards001]

@Donal Finn any settings to change to hook up a midi controller?

[@wizards001]

@Donal Finn sweet, I've got a lot of knobs I can plug into one

[@madness8556]

IMHO they were very hands on for programming with every part of the synth chain having their own dedicated buttons.

[@krishna34674]

one of my very favorite synths and one of a few with polyphonic after touch !

[@madness8556]

You've done a fabulous demo of this sadly all too often overlooked analog digital hybrid synth and early workstation thanks to its built in 8 track sequencer. I lusted over this instrument when it was released in 1988 but the Korg M1 overtook it very quickly. I love its unique hybrid digital analog sounds and the fact that it's very easy to use and program. It's such a great shame that Ensoniq doesn't exist anymore. I owned a TS12 from the early 90s and loved everything about it except its cumbersome weight and lack of resonance on its filters.

[@theseakite2]

Still my fave poly synth after all these years. Great patches man. :)

[@AnalogAudio1]

thanks :-)

[@thebreathalyzer]

So many wonderful textures in this, it's synth pad heaven for sure.

[@schance1666]

The first affordable workstation. (And 3 oscillators? Polyphonic aftertouch? Full sequencer? - Under 2 grand? - UNHEARD OF AT THE TIME. Ensoniq was bitchin).

[@javierzubizarreta2933]

Amazing sounds!

[@AnalogAudio1]

thanks!

[@synthesizernews]

Nice demo of this versatile synth. A real keeper.

[@AnalogAudio1]

thanks!

[@oiuykghkjgkg]

Nice demo, thank you!

[@Mind_Idiot]

Sometimes you get people who program great patches but don't play melodies that do them justice. Then you have this, where the melodies complement the patches and make the most of them. Way to go.

[@ish233]

Nice one AA, really have some good sounds here

[@AnalogAudio1]

thanks!

[@Troleanonymous]

Legendary The SQ-80

[@mikaellundqvist]

If I could only choose one synthesizer to bring with me to the next life then this is the one! Like its older brother ESQ-1 easy and quick to develop new sounds that can sound so original and good! It's even possible to make it sound like the wave table and FM synths! Like I think they said, made by musicians for musicians! Indeed. ❣️

[@ElektroNoiser]

I love this wonderful sounds!

[@AnalogAudio1]

thanks!

[@MoxieSynth-pu4py]

Wow amazing sounds!

[@Eyepatchfilms]

This is a wonderful demo. The floppy disc on these give them an incredible amount of patch storage for the time along with the ability to use carts as well. Built like a tank too

[@Echo_System76]

Damn, this sounds amazing!

[@abdielvelazquez773]

Keyboard manufactures need to bring back polyphonic aftertouch. It makes so much sense.

[@HOMeSKILiT24]

ASM Hydrasynth all models have poly AT!

[@foolproof3091]

Super Sounds! Sehr gut gemacht. Der SQ80 kommt bei mir auch immer wieder zum Einsatz. Er klingt einfach fantastisch.

[@AnalogAudio1]

danke :-)

[@alessandraromano454]

6:52 love it

[@stevenyjtsai]

AWESOME SOUNDS

[@_fig.8]

that was delightful. have not heard that synth in a very long time.

[@AnalogAudio1]

thank you!

[@SyncdAlien]

Really fantastic! 👍 Did this model ever appear in a rack mount format?

[@AnalogAudio1]

no, I guess it was not successful enough for Ensoniq

[@danieldemayo6209]

AnalogAudio1 I think ppl mod the esq racks Into these things. I think I’ve seen them on reverb but didn’t know wtf the dif was haha

[@wilbo26]

One of the huge values of this keyboard is that is has polyphonic aftertouch, if you are just interested in the sound engine itself the SQ8L vst is probably what you want. It's 32 bit only and apparently doesn't work with some modern DAWs but it is a solid emulation of these.

[@simonlegrec]

Ultramazing

[@oldtimer1294]

6:53 That is heavenly!!!!

[@Charlyfromthenuclearcity]

I want this ! But I'll have to stick with the SQ8L plugin for a while :P

[@evetsnitram8866]

I now have this plugin and its nice especially when I open it up in the new free BandLab Cakewalk with all its built in effects, plus I can open multiple instances of it.

[@M1ghty0m3ga]

Awesome synth!!

[@jakelawson1]

Just bought the patches and.. Yep, they're as good as they sound here.

[@audiodood]

it sounds so beautiful and modern for 1987

[@syntheseyez3577]

Awesome demo. There's one on my local Craigslist that I've been eyeing, and you really sold me on it. Sounds absolutely gorgeous. How is it to program though?

[@AnalogAudio1]

easy, like the ESQ-1

[@tangibleblockofwisdom6386]

Most transparent and logical digital menu architecture I have come across. The vst plugin duplicate of it illustrates this if you’re interested. The sheer power and facility of near identical plugin is what drew me to the SQ-80, and the Ensoniqs in the first place :>

[@chinossynthesizer705]

@@tangibleblockofwisdom6386 vst plugin lol I wanna play the instrument for real lol

[@peppyp7323]

Do these patches for the original Ensoniq SQ-80 work with the New ARTURIA SQ-80 V (Plug-in Version) ??

[@AnalogAudio1]

The question is, does the Arturia SQ-80V load original Ensoniq patches? I don't know. If yes, the patches will work.

[@Johnsormani]

Yes

[@ScoopexUs]

Probably some of the best sounds I've heard for it! - Still not quite in love with this synth, or Ensoniq (personal honest opinion). BUT: I have to confess: Ensoniq made some quite interesting stuff and if you're looking to sound a bit different, they're worth looking into. And their keybeds are sort of the same story - maybe you won't fall in love with them, but they will give you note aftertouch rather than channel aftertouch, only a few brands had that around 1990 and it's pretty rare since...!

[@RichiTDI]

Great patches! :)

[@AnalogAudio1]

thanks!

[@trukxelf]

Reminds me of PPG series, like an affordable, Waldorf product, in architecture and design...

[@radiadorproducciones]

Love my sq 80!!!!

[@bitspacemusic]

I would pay serious money for a sample library of multisampled pads.

[@norakat]

Still super dope!

[@WearySisyphus]

I have the same question as Saibot216. Is it cleaner than the ESQ-1 ? That is : are the waveforms 8bits too or 12bits ?

[@AnalogAudio1]

also the same answer: the D/A's are the same!

[@deelux5519]

Ok, now are you ready for the truth? Here it is I got rid of my broken ESQ-1 When an SQ80 came up on CL, Sold the ESQ-1 brought home the SQ80 expecting it to be the same but better..well.....It may be better but it wasn't the same, I have no science or tech spec to back that up. only my gut and my ears........Yes, the ESQ-1 is dirty, you can get the SQ80 there too but out of the box the ESQ-1 has a dirtier more low-fi sound.

[@WearySisyphus]

How can that be if they use the same components and 8-bits wavetables ?

[@Johnsormani]

There are slight differences in the filter hardware ( resistors) between sq8)0 and early esq1, but that’s about it

[@daniellewis214]

Wow sick patches

[@HealingSoundMovement]

Probabably not, but do these sysex sounds also work for the vst version, or for the Ensoniq SQR (that i DO own)!?

[@AnalogAudio1]

Not compatible with the Ensoniq SQR! Vst version - I don't know.

[@thewakz]

Nice patches! I bought my ESQ-1 for $100 it was disgusting dirty. Cleaned it up, looks like new. I will NEVER be able to get rid of this synth. There is no way to replicate its sound. Buy em while they are still cheap!

[@AnalogAudio1]

thanks!

[@chieftp]

only one on ebay getting bids is at $180. nobody would pay $700 for an ESQ1. my friend has one in non operating condition. it will come on and make some horrendous noises, then freeze up. I told him to scrap it. the case, keybed and electronics are horrendously poor quality. it makes a DX7 from the same time period look like a Rolls Royce.

[@chieftp]

Ensoniq in general (and most of my friends too, for that matter.) a lot of ESQ1s seem to be advertised in "non working" condition. I love the large display that they put on their products, and sound wise, they always seemed to be pretty nice in that department (including their later romplers.) but they were a small company and just didn't have the time, money nor resources to thoroughly engineer/test their products before they were released like the big boys like Yamaha/Korg/Roland.

[@maccagrabme]

@Love made in Japan They sound nice, esp the VFX but they do seem very unreliable. I nearly bought a VFX but when I tested it the thing didn't work so I had to walk away. Would like to see these remade in a small module like a Korg Volca size or Boutique.

[@DMSSS]

what a great synth!!!

[@jaggass]

Adamski used on of these on Killer.

[@clusterchord1]

ESQ-1 version, not SQ-80

[@hankybostik7634]

clusterchord1 wrong it was indeed an SQ80 he used .donut

[@TheGreatPizzaMasterpiece]

Super nice

[@AlexandredanielRomero-he5ml]

Hola una pregunta ese teclado ensoniq tiene el sonido estartem

[@kikkirow]

Those pads though

[@Sequencers]

Awesome pads 🍰

[@AnalogAudio1]

thanks!

[@D84D]

bought one new late 88? don't remember the price. probably around ?? allot

[@janpieternieman5295]

How does the Ensoniq T series hold up compared to this.

[@troypol343]

I wish Ensoniq was still around

[@AnalogAudio1]

Yeah, they made great keyboards and excellent manuals everyone could understand.

[@lucasj7577]

I want to get one of these. one thing if you can clarify is if it does modern sounds good as well?

[@DarkLightProjector]

KrazedKodiak l/\/ \/\l It’s a bit about the type of context that you’d use it in. If you’re jamming around on it and not putting in it a song, then whether it is modern or not will really be in the eye of the beholder (as a note, some old synth sounds are used in pop music today, so yea, even the “dated” sounds may still have a modern vibe given that the old ones haven’t truly died). If you’re putting it in a song, then it will depend on the type of part you give it, and the mix around it. But yes, most older synths are capable in some sort of capacity of making modern sounds (some more limited in that aspect than others). I’ve made bass on a DW-8000 that sounded like what you’d hear in riddim dubstep, and with a little work, a Wavestation can make sounds that feel like they come from FM8 (it certainly can’t do as much as FM8 of course). Again, it’s really for you to decide. Find as many demos of it as you can and you should eventually have your answer. Even if it isn’t good at modern sounds though, old synths are still lots of fun; the challenge is using the limitation of the equipment to create something that sounds modern.

[@ingoodmusic]

BTW, Have you made any Korg SDD-3000 demo? What is so fascinating in this delay?

[@AnalogAudio1]

it sounds great and is flexible (long delays, highpass & lowpass filters, modulation waveforms: triangle, square, random, has knobs, programmable...

[@ingoodmusic]

AnalogAudio1 What about SDD2000 is it something similar or completely different?

[@AnalogAudio1]

I did not try the other SDDs but the SDD-3000 is the most flexible (and also iconic, also used extensively by U2 and JM Jarre). The preamp sounds warm, like something analog. But I also like the Roland DC-30 and DEP-3/5 units. But in this video I did not use the SDD very much - just on the sync sound. Mostly a slight reverb from the Dynacord DRP 20.

[@ingoodmusic]

AnalogAudio1 I have to say,that you did a great job with those patches for the sq80.

[@AnalogAudio1]

thank you

[@alexbergmann2817]

part 5:37-5:47 is amazing

[@radiadorproducciones]

wooo love

[@photonspark]

I read somewhere that the Ensoniq ESQ1 had a more durable keyboard than the SQ-80, due to the aftertouch added to the SQ-80. Anyone willing to comment on this? I'm looking at 2nd hand models, but would prefer the disk drive added to the SQ-80, if the keyboard is durable enough :)

[@Johnsormani]

I like the esq1 keybed more. The sq80 will get clacky at some point, syntaur sometimes has refurb kits for the sq80 but they sell out quickly and it’s a lot of work

[@wifikraftofficial8645]

Adamski used this every performance and on the 1990 album

[@resofactor]

Really versatile synth. They don't make them like this anymore. Not saying good synths aren't made these days, but would love to see a reimagining of one of these. More Filters, More Mods, more waveforms, :D Backwards sys-ex compatibility, but newer up to date features! Would be amazing.

[@annother3350]

Ask Arturia

[@bioelectric1788]

What in the world is happening at 5:47?

[@AnalogAudio1]

some hidden parameters stuff. Stuff which was not intended by Ensoniq ;-)

[@graphene1487]

5:40 is funkyyyy :)

[@this_connor_guy]

But can it alias like the ESQ-1 or is it cleaner? Otherwise - killer.

[@AnalogAudio1]

it has the same sound engine - ESQ-1 patches sound identical on the SQ-80. The SQ-80 is a "turbo version" of the ESQ-1.

[@this_connor_guy]

Ahh, interesting. So to answer my question - it does alias? OH! Does that mean ESQ-1 patches carry over too? I may want to upgrade, haha.

[@AnalogAudio1]

yeah it's compatible. Including aliasing, filter overdriving... listen to the pads :-)

[@this_connor_guy]

fuck... YEEEESSSSSS. Give. lol

[@Gluttonite]

I would trade myself for an SQ-80

[@AnalogAudio1]

If you are a nice young girl, we can work it out ;-) no, just kidding...

[@Gluttonite]

@@AnalogAudio1 LOL

[@Josh-be3jy]

those pads at 5:13 wow...

[@networkservices3121]

I had one of these, You could set up all your sound for a givin song in the seq. Then you could easily change as they would all be listed. One of the greatest things about this synth was. If you held a note and changed the tone the original note and sound was held.

[@mantriccaravan8228]

Nice video presentation of one of my favorites and some nice patch programming too. A 16 voice SQ80/ESQ1 sould have been a dream! Incredible synth for pads, basses and synthetic percussion. I recorded 2 cd's using 95% Ensoniq synths mainly ESQ-1 and VFX-SD check out Soniq Variants and Architexture of Silence on my BC page www.hrresonance.bandcamp.com

[@ResearchSoundLab]

I've just been listening to the first 2 tracks of Sonic Variants... It's excellent.

[@radiadorproducciones]

Still.......Love it!!!!

[@deelux5519]

I'm never giving up my SQ80, I've never said that about another synth and I have bought/sold/traded 100's the SQ80 is the ONLY one that is not available for a price. This is my main board and I think always will be. BUT! You have to reprogram the patches, the factory ones suck ballz

[@AnalogAudio1]

Well I also bought a DM, I like the basic sound a lot. I knew from the first sound examples that it has potential. The basic sound is somewhere between Roland Alpha Juno (not Juno-60/6/106) and Korg DW-6000 (if you use just the analog waveforms). But you can do a whole lot more. A video will follow in the next 2-4 weeks I think. But okay, an Ensoniq sounds quite different

[@synthsei]

@Aaron Foltz My first synth was an ESQ-1, second synth Poly 61, third Kurzweil K2000 with Sampler Upgrade and internal Hard Drive, forth current Synth Deepmind 12. You sir, have good taste! Unfortunately, I don't have my ESQ-1 (Nor my Poly 61), I gave it to my brother one year for Christmas gift (he unfortunately sold it, years later). And I don't have my Korg Poly 61, since I sold it at the time to buy the ESQ-1. I do use the SQ-80 plugin, but would like to buy one again one of these days.

[@synthsei]

@Donal Finn Awesome! But you need to really learn how to get into the deeper levels and program your own sounds, to get some really good ones. I think this is true for most deep synths, this one has tons of modulation sources and lots of amazing hi quality digital fx's built in.

[@synthsei]

@Donal Finn Yes, I was replying to your previous post about the DM and DeepMind 12 that you sold. Yes, the DM has 2 great Digital FX channels and some great sounds that you will get the most of, if you program or buy some additional sounds. Like most synths, not all the default presets are the best. In regards to the ESQ1, which I use to own. And the SQ80 which I recently purchased. No, both do not have any built-in FX (not to be confused with DM12). :-) Although, you can get a little bit of a delay (almost a reverb type of sound on the SQ80 messing with the release filters). I'm planning to run some sounds from my SQ80 into my guitar pedal board, so that should provide some cool FX sounds. Good luck with your next synth purchase.

[@dennisfabyan1828]

How much did you pay for your SQ 80?

[@AnalogAudio1]

what I paid is not what it's worth... it was a bargain

[@jooseysmoolay7767]

Had one of those Bad Boys

[@tangibleblockofwisdom6386]

James Cameron is Chroming in a Dustbin

[@NicholasBryantBonzaiSequoias]

Delicious sounds. I have two SQ-80 s and use overflow mode for 16-voices - awe inspiring! The SQ-8L VST makes a good patch librarian. www.buchty.net/ensoniq/index.html#sq8l

[@rommix0]

Agreed. The best part is it can import/export ESQ-1 patches as well.

[@HealingSoundMovement]

do these sounds from Analog Audio here (amazing) ALSO work for the plugin version (since i don't own a hardware sq-80 unfortunately)!?

[@anonymous_friend]

I've got ESQ-1 and VFX cartridges. Can they be used in an SQ-80 too?

[@NicholasBryantBonzaiSequoias]

@@anonymous_friend ESQ-1 probably (but I've never owned an ESQ-1..), VFX no.. they are different physically.

[@pepinillosazucarados6743]

I use the sofsynth version a masterpiece of software engineering

[@ninodelia4248]

ENSONIQ PIETRA MILIARE ESTASI

[@alexlerner6096]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@graysynther2169]

SQ1 was great…..apart from that dreaded ribbon cable😂

[@AnalogAudio1]

You mean ESQ-1... SQ-1 is a total different synth.

[@JayTheLane]

Arturia brought me here.

[@maccagrabme]

From what I hear it sounds pretty close.

[@obscuresoundz]

hate to say it but this makes the Auturia version sound bad

[@jayweb702]

I have to honestly say that I don't like the digital sound of this synth, it's way to harsh and not warm like a true analogue synth.

[@AnalogAudio1]

Of course... love it or leave it ;-)

[@donalfinn7354]

I miss Jexus, I always find this guy a little "pad-happy", I don't want to hear one chord wonders, and "smooth textures" play it with some BALLS!

[@AnalogAudio1]

I am AnalogAudio1 and I play it my way :-)

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Donal Finn Jexus is garbage.

[@donallfinn]

Oh, ok, thanks for clearing that up...I was under the impression he was my favorite synth player of all time...but now I know,....garbage, Got it

[@donallfinn]

Yes, you do.

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Nah, he is not a good player, but he makes some good sounds, but many dreadful ones as well. Not trying to be a douche, i just got mad at Donal finn as i find Analog Audio is a better synthesist and player.