Synth Wizards Episode 4: Desert Island SQ-80

The Syntaur team takes the Ensoniq SQ-80 from an all-around mainstay to an absolute essential, and gains a synth wizard in the process. Featuring a rare interview (well, sort of...) with Ensoniq founder Bob Yannes, and music by Quincas Moreira and Jeffrey Koepper.
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[@ChristianIce]

I found out about your channel only today. The quality, the fantasy, the irony, the content... You deserve 10X more the audience, I'll help as I can.

[@BrianTylerComposer]

Oofff love you guys but retro Miami Vice 80s colors like turquoise is actually very cool, especially now. Came back in style big time.

[@AdamSpade]

Love is honest. Love is pain.

[@neonether]

That LCD screen screams 80s, GOD I LOVE IT. RIP turquoise buttons :(

[@HappyHackingVideoBlog]

Those cyan buttons were perfect side-by-side with the VFD (vacuum fluorescent display). I bet Barbie meant magenta when she said pink!

[@Peter_S_]

That's a VFD, Vacuum Fluorescent Display. They predate LCDs.

[@neonether]

@@Peter_S_ Thanks for the clarification!

[@Peter_S_]

@@neonether We come from different camps on the turquoise buttons, but yeah, those are cool displays. I've specified them before in industrial controllers but they are rather pricey these days at about $100 a piece in small quantities. www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/noritake-company-inc/CU40025-UW6J/1628374

[@badideabearcub2747]

That's the only´thing I never liked from this keyboard. The cryptic names of the sounds due to the limited screen space.

[@walkermcneill8223]

LOL I just ordered a key for my juno 106 from you guys!! Had no clue y'all had a youtube channel. This is all very cool.

[@ourstarsRstars]

No question my favorite KZbin channel. The documentary style and over all production reminds me of watching PBS as a child for some reason, which I love. The Korg cave flick!!! Fabulous! Thank you for being my KZbin comfort food.

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Man am I glad I found this!! This could be a PBS show: 'This Old Synth" 😄 the ESQ-1 was my second synth and at the time I was a big Commodore 64 user--had no idea they were cousins!

[@synthsei]

My first synth was a Korg Poly 61, which I eventually sold to buy my second synth the ESQ-1. I loved the sequencer and poly timbral nature of it, compared to my Korg. However, I did miss some fo the cool bass synth tones on the Korg. But it was the right upgrade for me, I don't think I ever wrote as many short songs or sequences, as I did on my ESQ-1. It was very fast and intuitive to use. But I always which I could have afforded the SQ-80 for the floppy disc drive, some percussion wave forms and I almost forgot (the poly after-touch).

[@jst4curiosity704]

I've been a synth head for 25-yrs. or more.. Had a Roland Jupiter 8, Yamaha TX16, Korg MS-1 & MS2000, along with a CASIO CS-01. Love your channel and the great effort you put into making it entertaining, as well as informative. Great job Synth Wizards!!!

[@SRDhain]

I'd heard about how good the SQ-80 was from a friend of mine, but had no idea how good until i saw this video. The fact that Bob Yannes of the legendary 6581 MOS (i still have a spare PLUS the working one in my original c64) was behind this, means i can only hope i can get my hands on one for a day or two; especially now that i know it has polyphonic aftertouch, which is rare as rocking horse plop. The irony is that i had multiple opportunities to buy one in the 90s, but bought all manner of analog synths for my studio , which were used extensively ( and smelt odd at times, when being on for hours on end). Thank you for uploading this. It was a treat to watch.

[@excessofficialTV]

Ensoniq were simply great. Musical instruments designed for musicians. They had a philosophy. Got an Ensoniq EPS and it's my favourite sampler / keyboard.

[@kixxalot]

Another cool episode, really was a pleasure to watch! Awesome how you included questions to Bob Yannes as well. I actually like the original Miami Vice like color scheme though, I think it adds a fun bit of flavor.

[@Syntaur]

Bob (a REAL synth wizard!) likes to stay out of the limelight, so having him work with us on this episode was really a blessing. The animation was a fun way to include him. Lots of people like the original color scheme, and I seem to have stirred up a bit of a hornet's nest by messing with it! But my real message is not 'This is bad and needs changing' - rather it is 'Here's an easy way to customize the look of an SQ-80'. Thanks for watching, and thanks for the kind words!

[@kixxalot]

Syntaur Bob is a bit of hero to me, if only for his SID chip that contributed to countless hours of fun behind my C64 in my childhood :) At least you not only made him look ridiculous in the animation, but yourself as well ;) Just kidding. About the colors: that's just a matter of taste, not worth arguing about.

[@davereeves6776]

Great KZbin channel, Sam! I've been a longtime fan of Syntaur Productions since the Transoniq Hacker newsletter days from the late 80's - read every issue cover to cover and learned so many great programmibg tips for my ESQ-1 and VFX - both of which I still have - 30 years later! All hail the mighy Transwave! Cheers!

[@DJmallninja]

this has become my favorite thing on youtube after only 3 episodes

[@madsvadsholt5324]

I love this channel. Each video is a learning experience

[@regortex3364]

Great videos, so glad Syntaur exists. I like the turquoise buttons, gives it proper character. Can’t hide what it is, an 80’s classic.

[@ScoopexUs]

Synth Wizards makes the world all right. No fakers, haters and drama. Just like in real life. Don't know how to put this stronger. If this was on TV, I'd watch TV. :)

[@tenthconcept]

With this one episode I've gained additional appreciation of Syntaur. This show could definitely make it on TV. I don't care what anyone says. I live in Texas, will visit someday!

[@dayglo98]

Nice to see some love for Ensoniq ! I'm also a big fan of the C64 and I didn't know they shared some history.

[@mass-1128]

Just got mine as a gift from a friend today. The synth belonged to my friend's dad who were the first guy to start a guitar workshop in South Africa and was great friends of Paul Reed Smith. Although he was a guitar guy, he loved this synth!

[@javiceres]

But the turquoise buttons were beautiful :(

[@Abruzzo333]

Agree...replacing them with bland characterless grey ones is sacrilege!

[@stevenzagony6187]

It is an 80's synth...

[@waheex]

exactly, love the turquoise

[@neocollective]

I agree, no sense in turning it boringly average, they were the visual mojo

[@waheex]

@@neocollective I just bought one of these synths. So 80's colours here I come

[@JensHoglin]

Love Synth Wizards! Make it a weekly show on HBO!

[@medellindavid]

binge watching y'alls vids, crazy good content

[@matrixmirage2699]

This is the first episode I have watched and I really like the editing style and format. Great job. Fun and entertaining.

[@thestateofartgrimsby421]

These episodes are excellent - keep it going

[@jacobwashburn1098]

I would love to see a Synth Wizards episode on the Ensoniq Fizmo!

[@findJLF]

Watched this for a second time today. Love it. I love my SQ80 - this makes me remember it definitely needs the Syntaur SQ80 key upgrade kit!

[@DeusExAurum]

This series is incredible! Not just entertaining but very educational when it comes to the inner workings of old synths. Nice job!

[@franzwilhelm9682]

This is such a great show! I hope you make more of this style program. Very GOOD!

[@Shnowz]

this channel is amazing, the music, the narration, everything. It's like an old 80's geology documentary, but about something that's a lot more interesting!

[@markmorgenstern]

omg two of the most formative pieces of gear of my childhood were from the same people??!! mind blown. Love your videos. Still have the SQ-80. wish I kept the Vic-20.

[@mbrombert]

Really glad I picked one of these up a few years back for about 200 euro! Another awesome video from you guys. I hope I can visit your wonderful museum one day...

[@JEPeters00]

Can't believe I just discovered this series. I'm incredibly captivated by all of this. Keep 'em comin!

[@TheArchibyte]

I've finaly fixed my Ensoniq TS-12's keyboard for a week ago. But there was a standart Fatar/Roland keyboard mechanism. Also with polyphonic aftertouch, ofcourse. Ensoniq made great synthesizers.

[@squeebbb]

Loving these videos guys, I really hope they grow in views and you continue to make them!

[@samscott54]

Thx for doing this show - its so fun- my synth History - Kory model S? 74 , mini moog - mini korg- CAT synth! - jx3p - dx7 M1 - Alesis quadra - and many many more -- now- MODX8 and Kork Karmas - Prophet rev2 Toneclone organs

[@_P_M_]

Wow! Bob Yannes moves and sounds like the animatronic Lincoln at Disney World! Loved the interview!! In retrospect I wish I would've picked up the SQ80 instead of the EPS, but I thought back then a sampler would 'future-proof' me. I hope you guys will do some biographies on how you got into synths. I really enjoy your video series!

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

EXCELLENT VIDEO ❤️ So informative and fun!!

[@NathanChisholm041]

They know their stuff! I love your videos to. Moogs 🤘

[@muco007]

Great Work, Thanks! I could watch these type shows every day.

[@theaudioeng]

... coool!! Fun vid as always - got the ESQ-M which is fab :) Thanks for your spares BTW over the years - we all well appreciate your business in keeping all our classic kit going ....

[@nichelcruz7749]

Wow!! Thank you very for such a cool video! Just me and my brother bought and we are so exciting to start making sounds with it!

[@steevee1945]

Ensoniq got me into synth playing and programming. Loved my SQ-80 back in the day. Two of my sons got ahold of it from time to time.and did some original music that I did not have the imagination to do, and gave me more respect for my boys.

[@Mr11Worcester]

Love your vids guys, when I see your shop full of vintage gear I get so jealous "hahaha" but seriously keep the vids coming 👍👍

[@felipsfroughly9666]

I would watch this every week. One tip, when you film ppl taking to each other show the text of what they are saying, I couldn’t hear it. Syntaur is now the only KZbin channel I allow my phone to alert me when there’s new videos!!

[@Syntaur]

We need to up our game on audio production. Much of the shooting is very impromptu, and done on a cell phone camera, and we just haven't had the time (and money) to devote to doing this in a better fashion. But I would like to! So yeah, subtitles are a good idea for those bad bits. Thanks!

[@Neuri]

I’m enjoying these in Yorkshire. Thanks for the coolest content dudes!!!!

[@mattluney517]

that's funny. in 5th grade people asked what we wanted to do when we grow up. I said WORK AT SYNTAUR! I'm 36 now and I still want to.

[@rdoetjes]

This was brilliant! Thoroughly enjoyed the tear down and modding. Gosh, back then we still used screws and we could fix and mod stuff.

[@cke1116]

Still have mine and still love it. The only synth I've had since the mid-80s. And I've had a ton of cool ones.

[@j.d.8119]

shoulda never got rid of the turquoise buttons!

[@westscape2]

Ensoniq made some amazing gear. I remember my Mirage was so musical; intuitive to program even through that tiny display. Even though just 8 bits the preset disks had some amazing sounds. It blew my DX7 out of the water especially live. I later got a Casio 16 bit monster heavy sampler keyboard (FZ-1) but it was very poor sounding compared to the Mirage. I had no idea Ensoniq came from Commodore.

[@Jguerra0392]

Very excited at the brief excerpt of Suzanne Ciani's "The Eighth Wave" at 6:05. I instantly recognized it.

[@elmosexwhistle]

The turquoise buttons are my favourite bit :(

[@Abruzzo333]

I know right?! I don't understand why anyone would want to make a synth look more bland. I hate when people say these things like "it looks too 80's" the 80's produced seemingly countless classic synthesizers and music....most of which has not be matched to this day and yet people always find a reason to rip on the decade in some way.

[@polardeathdog5093]

@@Abruzzo333 not everyone is into sodomy and cocaine.

[@timothypnolan]

@@polardeathdog5093 yeah some people haven't tried them.

[@Stue007]

Top made story and video about the famous SQ-80 and Syntaur - happy new year!

[@larslevinberget9558]

In 1995 when I got my first own synth it HAD to be a desert island keyboard due to steep prices and portability...so it became the TV-star KORG 01/WFD I got from a freelance musician. Though it lacked things like portamento, arpeggiator and sample playback/capability, it became the heart of my studio-setup for 10 years...still got it :)

[@shawnaebbeson7882]

I am a long time Ensoniq lover and user (have a VFX, VFX-SD and 2 SQ-R+/32 rack units). I used to subscribe to the Transoniq Hacker and remember all the adverts from Syntaur. I am glad they were/are there :) If I consider the 'what synth to take with me to a desert island' question, I would almost, every time, say the Ensoniq VFX-SD. I bought a Korg PA700 arranger back in September 2017 and have fallen in love with that too. I have over 16 synths in my studio and I would say that my desert island board would be both the PA700 and the VFX-SD. I would also need a few extra SD cards for the PA700 and a few boxes of floppy disks for the VFX-SD and a MIDI cable :)

[@shookstylez]

removing the Turquoise buttons was a mistake!

[@dunstun365]

definitely a mistake. they look fine as they are

[@ME-ru4hv]

Lol maxamize maximum 80's turquoise to the max

[@9KznfiS87f7]

Sam is a turquoisephobe.

[@SPAZZOID100]

I never minded the Turquoise buttons.

[@GNeuman]

I had an ESQ 1 back in the day. It absolutely blew the DX7 away both sonically and with that very intuitive on board sequencer. Loved it.

[@Joedoriamusic]

THANK GAWD FOR SYNTAUR!! BIG FAN HERE

[@augustwest304]

Thank you for properly teaching the history of Ensoniq

[@wildchurch]

This channel is awesome! Had to pause this video to check the internet auction sites for SQ-80s

[@DonLafontaine62]

Hey, welcome back!! Love this show, you really need to make it a regular thing.

[@theloniouspunk6957]

Oh wow! Thanks, that was much needed! You guys are awesome!

[@ShotecMusic]

How this contact-less key trigger never became "a thing" Keyboards would have lasted much much longer.... Maybe that would be the problem :)) Thank you for amazing video!!!

[@FrancisMaxino]

I'm with Barbie on that one, the other buttons would like so suit a pink upgrade

[@geoffstockton]

Who else is all about that groove that kicks in at 14:10? Damn, that's nice.

[@fredtillman3050]

TS10 would be my desert island keyboard from Ensoniq

[@DjSegwon]

Good videos man! That Juno 107 ,was dope! The arp an so on! Wish i wouldve found you guys i just sold a esoniq kt88! Next onem i get ill inform you guys first Pryor to the ebay headaches, lol

[@larslevinberget9558]

That was my attitude 100% back in 1994, the idea of a desert island synth workstation that would replace the Roland U20, Boss Dr550mkII and a sequencer + digital effects. While waiting for Roland's workstation version of the JV1080. The contenders were KORG X3, Ensoniq SD1, Peavey DPM Si, Kurzveil K2000 and Yamaha SY99 with KORG winning the title with the 01/WFD as "THE sound of the 90s".

[@this_connor_guy]

Wonderful video! Didn't know you guys had a channel. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled. Love my Mirage to death. Traded a JEN SX-1000 for the original DSK-8. Do not regret that one bit!

[@midierror]

This is such a glorious synth! I'd love to have your job - great work!

[@paxwallacejazz]

The synthesizer never fulfilled it's promised potential. As viewed from the 60s

[@stevecoscia]

I worked for Ensoniq from 1984 onward and this brought back many memories. Convey my best regards to Sam Mims. Fun video.

[@Syntaur]

Hey Steve - it's great to hear from you! I'd love to talk to you about a future project - [e-mail].

[@stevecoscia]

@@Syntaur Message sent with phone number.

[@RANDOMLOOPGENERATOR]

Great stuff guys! First one of your vids I've seen and I just had to subscribe. I'm currently rocking the Yamaha DX-21, Roland SH-32 and Arturia Microbrute. Keep up the damn fine work, I'm off to watch more of your vids!

[@HappyHackingVideoBlog]

Here at home I have lots of fun with my recently acquired DX7 and a Microbrute I've had for a couple years :-) And I was aware of the Ensoniq SD-1 because it amazed me when I found out someone emulated that one on MAME! (there is a video of it here on youtube)

[@jeffoff7795]

I'm thrilled to have discovered this channel.

[@Unconsciouzone]

Love Ensoniq. I own a couple of SD1's and one is still my current DAW interface. Something tells me that sooner or later I'll be doing business with you guys.

[@gustavopinto5863]

Excellent idea and concept. Your are doing a great job.

[@patatructruc3607]

You guys from Syntaur are so cool, professional, helpfull and funny

[@jansenwilder1335]

My 1st Ensoniq synth was : SQ2.. lovely sounds with very nice sequencer. All it was missing was a disk drive to store my songs and demo tracks. If only it had usb storage drive back than ..

[@infindebula]

Great video! One factual error at 5:45 - the ESQ-1 was not the first synth with a multi-track sequencer. That honour would go to the Sequential Six-Trak, but the first really usable multi-track sequencer was in the Sequential Multi-Trak. The ESQ-1's sequencer was definitely a step up, and was continually improved on subsequent Ensoniq synths.

[@activistarts7722]

2:08 I see my keyboard! I bought a Kurzweil sp76 for $250 as a practice piano and I love it. What a steal

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Great Episode! I love this channel, very informative, and extremely entertaining! The tune @ 16:10 is jamming.

[@CandyAppleBlue]

Removing the turquoise buttons is a downgrade.

[@tazcerogers2947]

I love dem buttons

[@kgbinfo]

What a great video! I recently got an SQ80 and have been having a blast with it. I think the sequencer is one of the best I've ever used. Maybe I should get the key bushing upgrade from you guys...

[@Syntaur]

The sequencer is way cool, and was then improved on the VFX-sd, and then further improved on the TS series, which I think is the absolute bomb. Very easy and intuitive, which leaves your mind free for being creative.

[@kehindea]

Very informative. Ensoniq EPS was my first synth/sampler. Great to hear bout its history

[@ianmcdanielmusic]

Such an amazing video. Truly appreciate the humor and history in it. Just got my SQ80 (my first "vintage" synth). Was wondering how I could order one of those keybed packs you sell?

[@ianmcdanielmusic]

Looks like they are sold out on the site, but would love to purchase one when you have more!

[@winstontk]

Another great and informative restoration!!

[@ErikHawk]

This is really helpful. Showing us the system shortcuts is great. Thank you!

[@michaelmckenna7211]

Always great work!

[@Eyepatchfilms]

Cool! Does this mean the SQ-80 rebuild kit will be in stock again?

[@horowizard]

This instrument was very cool indeed with its Internal Midi Recording Sequencer. It did have one hell of a clack but then again so did many early instruments of that era. If you got one with a Keyboard that was quiet and actually had a good feel, it was a real plus.

[@ropeburn6684]

0:30 stumbling around helplessly, desperately trying to find a power outlet! Gold.

[@michatroschka]

hahah i didnt even get it, thanks for pointing that out

[@infindebula]

The ESQ-1 wasn’t the first synth to sport a multitrack sequencer. That honour, as far as I know, belongs to the Sequential Six-Trak. Unfortunately it had some serious limitations, but Sequential revised it a couple years later and put it into a very similar synth: the Multi-Trak. This was still a few years prior to the ESQ. BTW I really love this video. I’m watching it now for the second time. I’d love it if Syntaur would sell the SQ-80 bushing kit again!

[@shaft9000]

I have always admired ensoniq in general and the sq-80 in particular

[@mrfuzztone]

What is the difference between the use of the disk drive and ROM/Cartridge slot? If the disk drive is not working, what features are missing? Are user presets only stored on the disk drive? Is the synth usable with no disk drive? Nice explanations of synths.

[@augustwest304]

You can typically save anything you want on either the “Internal” memory of the synthesizer, or an external source (Rom/Cartridge)

[@madness8556]

The Korg M1 was released only a few months after the SQ80 and many people then said that the Korg would be the ultimate desert island synth because of its excellent acoustic instrument sounds and great on board effects at the time. Perhaps the SQ80 would have been much more successful if the M1 wasn't released at that time? Saying that, I loved the SQ80 and other Ensoniq instruments and owned a TS12 for a number of years.

[@Frisenette]

I'd LOVE to hear what Yannes and co had planned for the new, *real* sequel to the Commodore 64. In fact I'm going to email him and ask, then post the answer here. The DOC chip was also used as soundchip for the Apple II GS. Probably the most powerful build-in sound chip of the 80s.

[@zxbryc]

if it was sampler based, it was likely what ended up on the amiga anyway! but maybe some proper envelopes and filters

[@Frisenette]

bryc no, I’m talking the whole computer. The sound chip would probably have been close to what the Apple II GS has. Which is essentially the DOC. This is significantly better than the Amiga. It would have been interesting to see additive synthesis like Atari had planned though.

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

I love the ensoniq screens back in the day

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

The Casio CZ-5000 has a built-in multitrack sequencer and was released the same year as the ESQ1. I don't know which came out first.

[@supermonkeycollider]

Two years later, and I'm still ok without the turquoise button covers.

[@adamgh0]

12:26 Keyboards, keyboards everywhere but not a broken DX7 in sight. Tanks they are. (I'm sure there's a few in there somewhere!)

[@samscott54]

had the mirage , then mirage rack( its in a studio in Nashville now) and the esq-1 was a work horse for me