ESQ-1

$99.00

Ensoniq Synthesiser

The ESQ-1 is bookable by request

This instrument requires additional set up time.

The ESQ-1 is currently on loan

This instrument is currently on loan outside of the MESS Studio.

It will be unavailable for booking during this time, but we’ll update its availability as soon as it is back.

The ESQ-1 is currently being serviced

This instrument is currently undergoing maintenance to ensure we keep the MESS collection in top condition. Regular servicing is essential to preserve the quality and functionality of our instruments.

It will be unavailable for booking during this time, but we’ll update its availability as soon as the servicing is complete.

The ESQ-1 is a great way to get started!

Starter Synths are user-friendly, versatile, and a great introduction to the world of sound creation. Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your skills, our Starter Synths offer an accessible way to dive into synthesis with confidence.

Brining a guest is a member benefit.

About Guests

Guests must be over 18 and work alongside you during the session. You will be responsible for your guest during the session. Learn more about our guest policy.

You are welcome to use anything in the studio during your session, subject to availability. If there is a specific item you would like to use in addition to your primary instrument let us know.

Do you have any accessibility requirements?

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Learn more

The ESQ-1 is a digital synthesizer, released by Ensoniq in 1986. Although the waveforms are digital in nature, the filters are all analog. In fact, for a digital synth the ESQ-1 has many good old analog-synth features such as a ring modulator, sequencer, and oscillator-sync. The envelopes and LFOs are can be freely routed to each DCO, VCA and or VCF.

What really sets the ESQ-1 apart from other similar synths is the voice architecture. Choose from analog, digital, or samples or any combo since there are three independent oscillators per voice. Once you start editing on the ESQ-1 you will come up with interesting and unique results. Using dynamic voice allocation it can seemlessly switch from 8-voices of analog to 8-voices of digital or sampled voices.

It also has a built-in sequencer. It can store up to 24,000 notes in 30 sequences and 10 songs via battery back-up.

Anyone in search of an alternative synthesizer should consider the ESQ-1. More analog than a Yamaha DX-7 or Roland D50, the ESQ-1 is a tasty option that is worth a try.

Okay, full disclosure: I am biased because this is my personal synth that I have loaned the studio. But it is a very very cool, underrated and powerful polysynth. It is oozing with a lovely lofi character that can be tame, wild or weird. Digital waveforms with a nice analog lowpass filter. At first glance it may look a little intimidating, but it is actually very easy to program once with every parameter only a button (or at most two) away. The Hydrasynth interface was based on this one, 30 years later. There are many modulation options with routing options that can go deep if you want. This particular one has a "hidden waves" mod, with a heap of strange, more experimental waveforms available for each of the 3 oscillators, for those who like to explore texture and go deep with sound design.

– Jake

SKU: ESQ-1 Categories: ,

Description

The ESQ-1 is a digital synthesizer, released by Ensoniq in 1986. Although the waveforms are digital in nature, the filters are all analog. In fact, for a digital synth the ESQ-1 has many good old analog-synth features such as a ring modulator, sequencer, and oscillator-sync. The envelopes and LFOs are can be freely routed to each DCO, VCA and or VCF.

What really sets the ESQ-1 apart from other similar synths is the voice architecture. Choose from analog, digital, or samples or any combo since there are three independent oscillators per voice. Once you start editing on the ESQ-1 you will come up with interesting and unique results. Using dynamic voice allocation it can seemlessly switch from 8-voices of analog to 8-voices of digital or sampled voices.

It also has a built-in sequencer. It can store up to 24,000 notes in 30 sequences and 10 songs via battery back-up.

Anyone in search of an alternative synthesizer should consider the ESQ-1. More analog than a Yamaha DX-7 or Roland D50, the ESQ-1 is a tasty option that is worth a try.

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