Ensoniq ESQ-1
Released: 1986
MSRP: $1295US
Synopsis:
The ESQ family was Ensoniq's first synthesizer workstation (80's lingo for "includes a sequencer"). Unlike most subtractive synths, each oscillator has a dedicated amplifier (along with the usual post-filter amp) Most modulation destinations (e.g. OSCs, DCAs, Filter, pan, LFO depth) can have up to two modulation sources, although Pan and DCA4 only have one. Waveforms (single cycle) are mostly "synthetic" waves (i.e. subtractive, additive, and formant based waves) and a few samples.
Architecture Class: Conventional (subtractive).
Ebay Description:
The Ensoniq ESQ-1 is an pressure and velocity sensitive 61 key (8 voice, 9 channel multitimbral) synthesizer, featuring three oscillators (32 waveforms), a 24dB low pass analog filter, four (4 rate, 3 level) envelopes, three LFOs, 8 track sequencer, versatile modulation, and MIDI. 40 presets can be saved via MIDI SysEx, cartridge, or tape.
Physical
Form Factor
Dimensions
Weight
Audio Input
Audio Output
Communication Port
Control Input
Control Output
Switch Input
Power
61 keys
?
?
no
stereo
MIDI IN OUT THRU
pedal
no
pedal:sustain
pedal:sequencer
AC
Interface
Compatibility
Multitimbral Memory
Program Memory
External Storage
External Programming
UI Input
UI Output
ESQ-1
ESQ-M
SQ-80
(limited)
no
user:40
cartridge:80 (STC-8 or Voice-80)
Tape In/Out (TS)
Program cartridge (RAM:STC-8, ROM:STC-8A, STC-8B)
Sequencer cartridge (SQX-10 32kB/10k note expander)
MIDI SysEx
menu based
florescent display
Architecture
Multitimbral
Polyphony
Unison
Architecture
9
8
no
DCO/DCA1+DCO/DCA2+DCO/DCA3->VCF->DCA4->Pan
Output
Effects
Pan Modulator
Volume Modulator
Headphone
Portamento
pressure
ENV1-4
key
LFO1-3
MIDI-CC
Mod-Wheel
pedal
velocity
ENV4
no
Control
Arpeggiator
Arpeggiator External
Sequencer
Sequencer Memory
Sequencer External
Continuous
Program Change
no
N/A
8 track
30 sequences, 10 songs, 2.4k note capacity (expands to 10k with Sequencer Expander Cartridge). Sequences can be saved to tape, MIDI, or Mirage disk
MIDI
pedal
Mod-Wheel
Pitch-Wheel
MIDI-Bend
MIDI-CC1
MIDI-CC2
MIDI-CC4
MIDI-CC6
MIDI-CC7
no
Keyboard
Key Pressure
Chord Memory
External Control
External Sustain
Key Scaling
Velocity Curves
channel
polyphonic
no
MIDI
(guitar
mono
mode)
MIDI
pedal
2
2
Source
Name
Signal Class
Waveform
Octave Range
Amplitude Modulator
Harmonics Modulator
Pitch Modulator
Wave Assign Modulator
OSC1
digital
32
+-3
pressure
ENV1-4
key
LFO1-3
MIDI-CC
Mod-Wheel
pedal
velocity
no
pressure
ENV1-4
key
LFO1-3
MIDI-CC
Mod-Wheel
pedal
velocity
portamento
no
OSC2
digital
32
+-3
pressure
ENV1-4
key
LFO1-3
MIDI-CC
Mod-Wheel
pedal
velocity
OSC1
sync:OSC1
pressure
ENV1-4
key
LFO1-3
MIDI-CC
Mod-Wheel
pedal
velocity
portamento
no
OSC3
digital
32
+-3
pressure
ENV1-4
key
LFO1-3
MIDI-CC
Mod-Wheel
pedal
velocity
no
pressure
ENV1-4
key
LFO1-3
MIDI-CC
Mod-Wheel
pedal
velocity
portamento
no
Filter
Name
Signal Class
IC
Resonant
Shape
Frequency Modulator
Resonance Modulator
Shape Modulator
VCF
analog
CEM3379
yes
24dB low pass
pressure
ENV1-4
key
LFO1-3
MIDI-CC
Mod-Wheel
pedal
velocity
no
no
Envelope
Name
Level
Rate
Loop
Polarity
Trigger
Level Modulator
Rate Modulator
ENV1
3
4
no
yes
key
velocity
key:decay
velocity:attack
ENV2
3
4
no
yes
key
velocity
key:decay
velocity:attack
ENV3
3
4
no
yes
key
velocity
key:decay
velocity:attack
ENV4
3
4
no
yes
key
velocity
key:decay
velocity:attack
LFO1-EG
initial
final
1
no
no
no
no
no
LFO2-EG
initial
final
1
no
no
no
no
no
LFO3-EG
initial
final
1
no
no
no
no
no
LFO
Name
Waveform
Delay
Polarity
Sync
Delay Modulator
Level Modulator
Rate Modulator
LFO1
noise
saw:up
square
triangleup
yes
no
key
no
no
no
LFO2
noise
saw:up
square
triangleup
yes
no
key
no
no
no
LFO3
noise
saw:up
square
triangleup
yes
no
key
no
no
no
