Ensoniq VFX Dynamic Component Synthesizer: Why I Use It

[@PowercoatMusic]

I don’t know how one could summarize the history of synthesizers and not talk about Ensoniq. The VFX was simply ground breaking for its fresh, clear, and fat synth patches and much more. The unit was easy to use and program, and covered a wide range of instruments and synthesized sounds. Early on VFX changed how I thought my music could sound and took it from imagination to reality in just the way I needed. Since so many companies try to capture the VFX sound today with plugins and such, I wanted to share a bit of history about my all-time favorite synth with anyone interested.

[@JimmyD718]

I love my VFX SD. I took it out of storage last week and my original songs (sequences) still sound amazing. Recording the independent tracks into Reaper and it's fantastic.

[@michaelhonormusic]

I have owned a ensoniq VFX a couple months now and it´s truly a hidden gem.

[@PowercoatMusic]

You know it. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿

[@VinnyMickeyRickeyDickeyEddy]

Good sound on the record man. I’m going to listen to the rest in my car later.

[@PowercoatMusic]

Thanks for watching and sharing . 👍🏿

[@TheRealNewBlackMusic]

Most of the tracks in our early catalog was done with the ensoniq VFX and the Korg DW 6000 and Korg M1 they still stand up as being some of the best tracks in our catalog

[@PowercoatMusic]

Thanks so much for watching and sharing. 👍🏿

[@cdwhiley]

What a great take on a cool synth. Thanks for all this!

[@PowercoatMusic]

You're most welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

[@Uncannycannyp]

Picking up mine this weekend 175 in a case Ur video has a lot of care to it that only comes with mastery thanks guy

[@kfirtsairi3986]

Thank you sir,for this great video. I think this awesome synth represents the end of the era of the fm sounds on the late 80s I had the vfx sd on that time I left Yamaha and became ensoniq for 10 years Excellent sequencer recorder Great sax sounds Awesome organs Pianos And synths This video is the best You got my subscription Regards from the holly land Kfir.🏆🏅💯👍❤️🎹

[@jhonwask]

I finally got one about 2 months ago. I have the SD with the floppy drive. This was my favourite sysnth. Well, it still is. It needs a battery and the ROM cartridge doesn't work. These were almost always in my repair shop. They seemed to have power supply and memory issues. MY SQR suffers this trait, hence, it sits on a shelf somewhere, since you can't call them for technical assistance anymore. Bummer.

[@muzixco]

I am enjoying the review of the gear in your studio, very well done sir. Keep up the good work, you got a new sub here.

[@PowercoatMusic]

You're most welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

[@avace917]

I used a VFX-SD on several projects in the early 90s including the remix for Mary J Blige's Real Love

[@PowercoatMusic]

Thanks for watching and sharing. Appreciated.

[@richardhermans4457]

I love the VFX, nothing like it. Got my new VFX-SD in the fall of 89 and I still have it and use it in almost all my music. In fact it's sitting to the right of me, just above the Montage. I've taken good care of it, it's in near mint condition, no gigging, use dust cover, no smoking, but a studio cat has frequented the home studio over the years tho. :) Enjoyed your song Hold On, thanks for sharing it, and yep, that's the VFX in there. :)

[@PowercoatMusic]

VFX is certainly a delicate unit. Like yours mine sits in one spot, in a safe place, with a dust cover when not in use. Love this unit. Thanks so much for watching and sharing. 👍🏿

[@kfirtsairi3986]

What about the calibration errors that the instruments had?

[@PowercoatMusic]

This was a result of a faulty connection between two circuit boards underneath of the keys. In the past, that issue was repaired either by Ensoniq or an authorized service repair center. It’s possible today that a keyboard repair shop could fix it if they can still get the part. Thanks for watching and sharing. 👍🏿

[@mark..A]

To solve the calibration error, throw the connector away and hard wire the two pcb boards together with ribbon cable

[@kfirtsairi3986]

@@mark..A Thank you sir.

[@joecarson8412]

I have one and I love it !

[@PowercoatMusic]

So far I've never met anyone who had this board and didn't love it. Thanks for watching.

[@roycemurgatroyd7963]

It was used in chimo bayo esta si esta no

[@VinnyMickeyRickeyDickeyEddy]

How do you route this into the Tascam if it is midi?

[@PowercoatMusic]

For details on how to do this, watch my video "Tascam DP24/DP32 SD Digital Portastudio: SYNC to MIDI (No Hardware Required)" on this channel.

[@EvanPriceMusicChannel]

any help on how to change a program from mono to poly?... gave up after 1/2 hour.. too long to spend to figure out simple function... super not easy synth for certain things like this.. thanks

[@PowercoatMusic]

On the VFX, changing a voice from Mono to Poly is not “one-step” function based on the unit’s architecture. We know that most programs/patches are Mono in the unit based on the fact that they are only assigned 1 voice. A way that you would change a programmed patch from Mono to Poly is you would need to add a voice(s) to a patch consisting of a single voice. In this case, the VFX then uses a “Voice Priority” parameter on the Output Page to determine how voices will be reassigned to play new notes, when all of the voices in the unit are currently playing. Also we know that the grey “Patch Select” buttons allow you to change which voices are played in a patch in real-time. Presets in the unit allow you to create a combination of 3 sounds and an effects configuration that can be recalled for performances. This is another way that you can create Polyphonic patches using Monophonic ones. You can also create Poly patches from Mono patches by “Layering” sounds. You do this by double clicking the soft button of a second patch name after the currently selected patch. The underlined name will blink and both sounds can then be played together. You can do this for up to 3 patches. Once you understand the VFX’s architecture, it’s not that hard to use to your advantage. Please keep in mind this unit was released on the late 80s. I hope this information helps. 👍🏿

[@EvanPriceMusicChannel]

@@PowercoatMusic Thanks for the reply.... unfortunately.. didn't get me very far...

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

How much is ti worth now adays

[@PowercoatMusic]

Prices online (eBay, Reverb) can range from $400 to $800. Ultimately it's only worth what a person is willing to pay. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

[@annother3350]

We didn't want to hear it or anything

[@PowercoatMusic]

I was very clear in the presentation on where you could hear a demo of the unit on this channel. *Again, please check out my latest release "Vision of Your Voice" on this channel. The keyboards are all VFX. Thanks for watching.

[@annother3350]

@@PowercoatMusic Sorry, I just think a balance of talking and sound examples is great.