Similar to the Mirage synth/sampler, the ESQ-1 was Ensoniq's highly affordable and impressive digital synthesizer, released in 1986. Although the waveforms are digital in nature, the filters are all analog as on the Mirage. 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. There are 40 preset sounds which are the usual not-so-great sounds. Luckily the VFD display screen is large enough to make editing the sounds somewhat pleasant.

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 seemlesly switch from 8-voices of analog to 8-voices of digital or sampled voices! This gives you a wide array of different sonic elements at your fingertips!

Then there's its 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 DX-7 or D-50 and also much cheaper, the ESQ-1 is a tasty option that is worth a try.

The ESQ-M (pictured above) is a rack-mount version released in 1987 which is identical to the ESQ-1 except that it excludes the on-board sequencer option. The ESQ-synths have been used by Anything Box, Skinny Puppy, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Steve Roach.

Alexander Milanov

February 15, 2010 @ 3:11 pm

Per Gessle of Roxette wrote their no 1 US hit "the Look" on the ESQ-1.

JEH28

January 25, 2010 @ 1:52 pm

I have two of these synths, one was my Father's and the other I bought on-line. The second one I bought was used extensively on the road touring as a stage instrument. Great synth! - I actually have some Moog patches my Father made, very convincing to a degree.

John Dillon

November 14, 2009 @ 2:42 pm

I just acquired one of these. Its pretty beat up, but I am excited to get it up and running again. This might seem like nit-picking, but the display on this synth is neither LCD or LED. It is in fact VFD, or Vacuum Florescent Display. I just thought I'd mention that for people like me who are about to open theirs. VFDs function similarly to vacuum tubes so don't break the vacuum envelope (glass) and for the love of God, don't expose yourself to the dangerously high operating voltages!

jBam

October 25, 2009 @ 9:47 pm

I have now had an ESQ-1 keyboard as part of my line up for a few years, and feel that I can comment accurately on its characteristics:

Straight up --> an awesome and distinctive synthesiser that is VERY approachable - easiest "push button" programming ever!

I love it for it's gritty keys/pads and long wierd FX swirls. Because of this, it's been used along side many synthesisers I own in nearly everysong I've written in the past few years.

Instantly satisfying digital electro style pads/keys, and a great sound from the filter too (no self res, but hey, who cares!!). Sure, at the end of the day it does have its limits but it is amazingly complex considering its age... 3 Osc and very good envelpoes allow very evolving sounds. Ok action keyboard.

If lost, would definately seek out another.

BTW, djprofessork's catridge problem may be due to the catridge being a ROM catridge (ie expanded PRESETS, but not actually RAM that can be written to).

Sanhedralite

August 20, 2009 @ 2:13 pm

weighs a ton, but easy to use and nice sound.. nice filter, and easy to read LCD

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