Cherry Audio has introduced Ensoniq ESQ-1, a virtual instrument for macOS & Window that they say “captures the essence and iconic sounds of the classic ESQ-1 polyphonic hybrid digital/analog synthesizer”.
Cherry Audio partnered with Creative Technology, the current owner of the Ensoniq intellectual property, to license the original 32 ESQ-1 waveforms. The virtual instrument models the original’s EM 3379 IC analog filters, DCA, envelopes, LFOs and more.
It also builds on the original by adding new modulation options, pattern generation and performance capabilities.
Here’s an in-depth walkthrough with Tim Shoebridge:
Features:
- An exacting emulation of the sounds and functionality of the original Ensoniq ESQ-1 hybrid digital-analog synthesizer released in 1986
- Engineered by Cherry Audio with comprehensive circuit and behavior modeling techniques to provide unparalleled accuracy and exclusive compatibility with the original hardware
- Expertly designed and rendered user interface organized into five context-sensitive sections: Play, Edit, Modulation, Envelopes, and Sequencer
- Three digital oscillators per voice, individually animated in the interface
- Utilizes the original 32 ESQ-1 waveforms, licensed from Creative Technology, in four categories: Basic and Noise, Samples, Additive/Formant, and Band Limited
- Oscillator sync and amplitude modulation (AM) options for additional rich harmonics and aggressive, metallic, and bell-like timbres
- Voice Modes: Mono Legato and Mono Retrig (with note priority), Unison, Polyphonic, and MPE, with detune and portamento and glissando modes
- Highly optimized, massive stereo dual-layer voicing architecture with up to 32 polyphonic voices per layer. Keyboard split and stacked layer modes allow two simultaneously playable layers, with separate per-layer controls for all parameters, including synthesis, modulation, patterns, and effects
- Precision modeling of the Curtis CEM3379 analog resonant low-pass filter (4-pole 24dB/oct), expanded with 2-pole 12dB/oct low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass options
- Three LFOs for each layer, each with tempo sync, reset, and human timing variation options, delay, and 18 possible modulation assignments
- Four independent multistage (four levels, four rates) envelopes with velocity stages, visualized with click-and-drag handles
- Exceptionally comprehensive four-slot modulation matrix with macros and simple click-to-assign functionality: 41 sources (with MPE options) and 85 destinations, including ESQ-1’s integrated arpeggiator, sequencer, and effects
- Enhanced expressive performance options with compatible MIDI controllers through channel aftertouch, polyphonic aftertouch, and a new, more flexible MPE system
- Independent per layer arpeggiators with four pattern modes – Arp, Leap, Order, Random – with swing, chance, and feel to add degrees of randomness to patterns
- Syncable and transposable per layer 16×4 polyphonic step sequencers for notes and modulations, with four independently assignable macro motions and 33 presets, humanize options, with precision clock and step synchronization
- Over 360 professionally designed presets in 15 categories, including MPE-specific presets
- Also includes the 40 original ESQ-1 hardware preset patches
- SysEx compatibility with the original hardware: drag-and-drop import of individual patches and patch banks from ESQ-1 SysEx files, or directly via MIDI from the hardware
- Export SysEx patch files from the software compatible with the original hardware
- Cherry Audio’s acclaimed Effects system, with three independent customizable effects chains, one for each layer plus the global layer, and an individual effects modulator for each layer
- 20 studio-quality effects that can be arranged, saved, and recalled within their effects chains, which are interchangeable with other Cherry Audio synthesizers:
- BBD Flanger, Compressor, Digital Delay, Digital Reverb, Distortion & EQ, Dual Delay, Dual Ensemble, Dual Phaser, Envelope Filter, Flanger & Chorus, Galactic Reverb, Lo-Fi, Lushverb, Ring Modulator, Seven Band EQ, Spring Reverb, and Tape Echo. New in Mercury-8 are DCO Chorus, Panner, and Pulser
- Mini UI effects control tray for on/off, solo, bipolar modulator amount slider, and dry/wet mix for each effect. Global FX on/off, level, and stereo expand
- Standalone virtual instrument and plug-in versions included
- User-adjustable oversampling control
- Complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls, with easy-to-use MIDI learn and mapping (Preset and Global)
- Cherry Audio’s popular Focus zoom-in feature, as well as standard UI zoom and resize via drag
- Complete documentation available directly online from the instrument or in downloadable PDF format
Pricing and Availability:
Ensoniq SQ-1 is available now for $69 USD.
I had both the ESQ-1 and the updated version, the SQ-80. I would like to see that recreated in software.
You mean this? … https://www.arturia.com/products/software-instruments/sq80-v/overview
Arturia’s SQ80-V may be what you are looking for.
Or the FREE SQ8L by Siegfried Kullmann.
They did a good job here. I had a couple of Ensoniqs and the sound feels accurate. Its rich and gritty at the same time. I especially like the displays for each oscillator. If you can use them to show a few other things, that’d be even better. I’m still reading up on it.
Wonder if they’ll re-create the Fizmo.
A Fizmo plug-in, with the full programmability that was only available via an external patch editor in the original hardware, would be absolutely gobsmacking.
Yes to all of this.
Obscure fun fact: one of the founders and principal designers of Ensoniq keyboards was Bill Mauchly. He is the grandson of John Mauchly who, with J. Presper Eckert, created the ENIAC. Via Wikipedia:
“ENIAC was the first programmable, electronic, general-purpose digital computer, completed in 1945. Other computers had some of these features, but ENIAC was the first to have them all. ENIAC was Turing-complete and able to solve “a large class of numerical problems” through reprogramming. ENIAC was designed by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert to calculate artillery firing tables for the United States Army’s Ballistic Research Laboratory.”
Bill is still alive and has a LinkedIn page, you can look him up and read his CV.
I have a soft spot for Ensoniq, I bought an Ensoniq EPS 16 plus in the early 90’s after it came out.
It was my first workstation, and I still have it and all the floppies I bought over the years.
Would love to be able to EASILY transfer the data on the floppies to modern computers, but it seems like it’s a massive chore. Cool to see that there’s a plug-in for the ESQ, though!
I still have a mini-hernia from the boxes of Mirage floppies I collected over time, but I don’t regret it. I had a pipe organ diskette I loved. When layered with my Korgs & Rolands, it became surreal.
Knock it off