Talking Synths, Episode 29: Making an Ensoniq ESQ-1 Pad

[@Syntaur]

Enter the Patch on your Own ESQ-1 or SQ-80: drive.google.com/file/d/1EnGpXIEqGII-_1ErEt0BN2VZgno31Ftr/view

[@scottcupp8129]

I found one of these in the basement of our church just last week. Our pastor said it had been sitting down there for about 5 years. He gave it to me. Thanks for the video on this one. I have a few Ensoniq keyboards. I have a Mirage, a TS12, and an SQ1 Plus

[@shawnaebbeson7882]

I used my SQ2/32 at church for years :) They make great pads at prayer time :)

[@prodoverjeff2876]

Thanks so much for posting the hacker. When I was first learning to use a computer, I used one at the library to make a few copies on paper, and in recent years could not remember the name of it, so I did without. The vfx was my second synth, the first i learned anything on, and my first on stage. MY GRATITUDE TO YOU GUYS!!!

[@temporoboto]

We used to call that a "Fanzine". Thanks for the show

[@bloodyhell302]

I always have a blast digging into this thing, especially when syncing complex waves together (waveform modulation, baby!!) I still discover something new after using it for more than two decades.

[@robindebekker]

The ESQ-1 is still my favorite pad machine, they can sound so incredibly full on this machine. Used it a lot more since my first record came out.

[@cortical1]

Thanks for sticking with this request, Carlos, and thanks for guiding us through it, Sam! Or should I say Danny and Billy Bob. Cheers from Carlsbad, California.

[@anthonymiller4703]

Sam you are a sound design King of the creepers and the synth creatures! We all start out flipping pot-knobs and pushing sliders like zombies having an Adderall attack but you show us how to get to know our circuits so that we may refine our synthesizing experience by getting to know the gear we have instead of just buying more gear(and more cables). Killer Pad!

[@Syntaur]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@anthonymiller4703]

@@Syntaur It was so inspiring to hear how "lush" you caused the very generic and dry sawtooth wave to become. I look forward to more videos like it.

[@Zargon314]

amazing video. love my ESQ-1 underrated synth!

[@RB-bd5tz]

I've got two ESQ-1s, and I downloaded all those Transoniq Hackers some time ago. It was hilarious reading Sam and others, only 4-5 years after the ESQ-1 came out, describing it as "a dinosaur" and "wallowing in obsolescence." It's still one of the best sound exploration machines out there, and has features not found in many synths that are decades newer.

[@wholeheartedsongs]

this was really helpful . Just picked up the SQ80. I love it.

[@donmakowski71]

Thank you guys! Much appreciated!

[@liouxliouxisgod]

Beautiful! Thank you so much! I need more!

[@CrisBlyth]

Morning guys ! Off to a nice start on this a Friday !!

[@shawnaebbeson7882]

I remember the Transoniq Hacker. Had a subscription for years. Now, I have them all in digital format. I still have 6 Ensoniq keyboards in my studio and still use an SQ1+ live for the Mystic pad and a few other patches I have made. There really was a sense of community with Ensoniq. I have never experienced that form of community with any of my other synths... Keep up the great work, gentlemen :)

[@scottcupp8129]

I love my SQ1 Plus

[@scottcupp8129]

I found my SQ1+ on Ebay. Came with a case and some cables and the original owner's manual. It came with an Ensoniq pedal too but the pedal doesn't work. Thinking about taking it apart and seeing why.

[@scottcupp8129]

Picked it up for 285> perfect condition

[@shawnaebbeson7882]

@@scottcupp8129 I have an Ensoniq VFX, a VFX-SD, 2 SQ-R+/32 rack units, the SQ1+, and an Avista 7600. I have had the VFX-SD for well over 15 years with no issues at all. I have owned the SQ-R units for at least as long with no issues. I bought the VFX (regular version) about 6 years ago. I got the Avista 7600 for $100 just because I wanted to see what they really sounded like. The Avista is in the closet against a wall - it was too E-MU sounding... I really wanted the SQ1+/32 but got the SQ1+ for about $250 delivered. I had bought an SQ2/32 back in 1994 brand new and had it up until a couple of years ago. I loved everything about it and it saw use on hundreds of live gigs and many studio albums. It was definitely my workhorse. I got the SQ1+ mainly for the 'Mystic' program and for other custom programs I have created. There is still nothing like it in any of my other synths (except the Ensoniq synths). My first experience with Ensoniq was in 1990 when a good friend had a VFX-SD. I LOVED that thing and it was my holy grail for many years. I took his home for about a year and a half and learned everything about it. Wildly deep instrument. It was the centerpiece of our band and it not only ran the sequences, but also triggered a couple of drum machines,m other MIDI devices and even the lights for our shows. It was insane what I had that thing doing at a show... I am intrigued by the ESQ-1 and the SQ-80 and may actually get one for the studio. Lord knows I have enough external EFX to really make some great noises out of it :) Continue to enjoy your SQ-1+ :)

[@mik300z]

Thanks guys, entertaining and informative, still use my Esq1 as hub of my gear after 25 years. Bought a syntaur cartridge from you about 15 years ago which I still use all the time😊

[@galwaytribesman9289]

I have an SQ 80 that's asleep in the wardrobe time to wake that baby up. Thanks for this

[@punkrocklilit]

Thank you for this!! I have an SQ-80 I am just starting to dive into :) This was really helpful.

[@mrlionel1965]

I have had my ESQ1 for almost 30 years and to be honest, I never poked around or understood some of this stuff. I did a little bit. This video was great!

[@RaquelFoster]

That looks like a wooden Domo with teddy bear ears LOL

[@ledzappelin1179]

Fun ... interesting and inspiring episode !

[@joshuasailor2974]

You guys should do an Ensoniq Doc..it would be awesome!!

[@ThoughtsEtcEtcEtc]

Ahhhh the data slider. If only Casio synths had one, would be such a game changer. I watch these videos and think about getting into my Casio CZ-5000 as it does have some very interesting programming features (dedicated detune button and chorus slider are nice!) but it’s 100% button smashing purgatory to get anywhere special. This video is really getting me interested in the ESQ-1 though, the analog filters sound great and the interface looks really inviting and intuitive for programming. Thanks!

[@davemilnes1147]

The ESQ-1 was my first ever synth, bought when it first came out. I used to program that thing for hours.....

[@pfdtx4633]

I saw this video and started to troll for a decent deal on one of these. I had a Mirage and Sam turned it into a synthesizer back in the 90's. I donated it to a engineering school, but I miss the keyboard action of the Ensoniq products of the day. I've been looking for an ESQ-1 since this video, and found a crazy good deal this week on one that hasn't been maintained for a couple of decades. Need to replace the battery, but everything else is functioning. Will probably replace the capacitors for the power supply when I replace the battery. The analog filters on this synth are really cool, and the DCA4 is what I find unique and looking forward to playing around with it over the weekend.

[@xnonsuchx]

I had an ESQ-1 for several years and mostly liked it for bass sounds, though it did make pretty nice sounds all around for the time. I still have an SQ-2 I mostly got as a 76-key controller.

[@cl9826]

You can center the parameters on the esq-1 with the two arrow buttons. Maybe you don't have the latest firmware. I'm also pretty sure I can go negative on the fine tune. But not at home to check it for sure.

[@vikramjitbanerjeetuki]

Fantastic,I wish this video was in stereo audio

[@scottcupp8129]

Love that shirt, Carlos :D

[@Syntaur]

Just in case you need one: syntaur.com/apparel.php

[@infindebula]

Sam, why did you use a stock photo of John Oates for your Transoniq Hacker picture?

[@Syntaur]

Haha, I used to get that a lot!

[@geevee7823]

Here's a question for perhaps a next episode. Why have some synths and drummachines detachable powerleads and some fixed powerleads? This is of course on gear that have an inbuilt power supply.

[@liouxliouxisgod]

I just changed my battery on my esq1, all thanks to you guys. I am waiting on the new OS. I do have a question, i bought mine used fairly recently and a cartridge came in it with a button. Clearly its for soundbanks but i havent seen anything regarding this online. Did this come with my metal esq1 or is it aftermarket? Either way, im grateful for it otherwise i’d have no patches 😂 just brass 1

[@vhsx]

you never applied LFO2 and LFO3 to the DCAs

[@juno6]

Lovely synth.

[@scottcupp8129]

Is that a Prophet 2000 over there in the corner?

[@Syntaur]

Indeed it is - good synth spotting!

[@scottcupp8129]

@@Syntaur very cool. I had one but it was stolen. I really miss that machine a lot.

[@scottcupp8129]

@@Syntaur And if you ever wanted to part ways with it, I’ll be sure and give it a great home. I had to save my nickels and dimes though LOL

[@steamtuankstudios9008]

I have an ASR-10 keyboard with updated ROMS by Synthaur and a floppy emulator by LOTAREK. I'm thinking of selling it, but I'm very sad about it. What should I do? Thank you!

[@13exousia]

How does one find an ESQ-1 Synth?