Ensoniq • SD-1

Ensoniq SD-1 Image

The SD-1 comes from a long line of Ensoniq's evolving TransewaveTM wave-table digital synthesizers. Starting with the ESQ-1, next came the SQ-80 and then the VFX. The VFX was given a sequencer and called the VFX-SD, and that later evolved into the SD-1 (and it eventually led to the Fizmo). The SD-1 allows for PPG-like synthesis using waveform modulation, a sort of wavetable synthesis. This puts it into a unique class of digital synthesizers along with the PPG Wave series and Waldorf Microwave series.

The SD-1 can create all sorts of acoustic, electric, digital, and analog-like sounds. Its piano sound has over 1 MB of 16-bit waveforms to give it a full and rich realistic tone not found on other digital synthesizers of the time. That piano sound was just the beginning of what would become the "Perfect Piano" used in E-mu/Ensoniq's Halo keyboard and the "Sounds of the ZR" ROM expansion soundset.

The SD-1 has 21 voices of polyphony just like its predecessor, the VFX. A single patch can contain up to 6 of the 168 waves in its ROM memory that can be combined and layered. Advanced and analog-like synth parameters including its dual multi-mode digital filters, three 11-stage envelopes, LFO, and 15 modulation sources allow you to further shape and morph your sounds. There's even a built-in 24-bit VLSI dual effects processor with reverb, chorus, flanging, and delay. The SD-1 also has a standard 61-note keyboard with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity and full MIDI implementation with 12 channels for multitimbral functions as well as four 16-bit DAC outputs.

Like the VFX-SD, the SD-1 has a professional quality on-board sequencer making it a complete all-in-one music production workstation. This is a 24-track sequencer with 25,000 note capacity and it holds up to 60 sequences and 20 songs. There is quantization (96 ppqn), real-time or step entry, looped or linear mode, and auto-punch in/out. Tracks can be set to control the SD-1's internal voices or external MIDI equipment, or both at the same time! An on-board 3.5" disk drive allows you to store your programs sequences, songs, and even MIDI SysEx data. The SD-1 is compatible with all VFX and VFX-SD program librarys too. An optional SQX-70 Sequencer Expander upgrades the sequencer memory from 25,000 to over 75,000 notes.


VISITOR COMMENTS

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John
Posted 34 days ago
HELP! I have an Ensoniq SD-1 that I've borrowed for the time being and at band practice the other day in the middle of jamming, the SD-1 said "System Error 100 - Low" and shut off and will no longer power up. Please advice, I really need some help on this!
nelson frazee
Posted 120 days ago
I have a SD-1 32-voice and I miss it like a family member. It stopped working a couple if years ago and I'm not even sure if Ensonic is still around to possibly fix it. This is my favorite sounding keyboard of all time. Great strings and flutes with realistic pressure sensitve vibrato. Even most of today's synths don't match up to it's naturally smooth vibrato. I'm not asking for any help, just an ode to my favorite keyboard.I love you and I miss you.
Dave Reeves
Posted 186 days ago
Hello Mitchel:

I need further clarification from you...do you want to send the MIDI tracks into DP or do you want to send the audio of your sequences into DP? Please understand that you cannot send the "sound" or "audio" of your songs into a sequencer (like DP) via a MIDI cable...MIDI and audio are quite different... If you want to send MIDI data into DP, this is certainly possible, but I don't think this is your objective....to send audio, you will need to go from the audio outputs of your SD-1 and record the audio tracks (sound) from your sequence (playing from your SD-1) into DP...I'm assuming you have an audio interface already. Preferably, you can solo out your SD-1 tracks individually, and slave DP to Midi Clock to ensure all the tracks are separately recorded into DP, but also remain in sync...Once your tracks in DP, you can mix till your heart's content.
Mitchel Paul
Posted 200 days ago
I'm having trouble getting my SD 1 MIDI to work properly. I'm using MOTU - Digital Performer as my external sequencer. My Problem is the songs I have created on my SD 1 i'm trying to via MIDI to send my songs to the Digital Performer so I cam mix them. Does any one out there who can help me figure out the problem, Thamks Mitch
Michel
Posted 280 days ago
There is also a 32 voice model of the SD-1
Called the SD-1 32 Voice.
 

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