esq-1

[Guerillatheater]

anybody have any recollections of the Esq-1?

I have a chance to pick one up for pretty cheap and wanted to know what people thought.

 

I was listening to it and it seemed fair to compare it to the ppg wave (er actually the plug-in) and it seems to me to sound better and do more.

 

and well hell I just can't get over the pretty damn good sound of the filters, which are analog and the same as used on the prophet vs... though I think the filters could resonate more, but this is cheaper than a lot of plug ins out there... and real analog filters

[Robert Smedberg]

I have one and have been a proud owner of it.

But I don't use it anymore, it just sits in the corner beneath a DX7.

 

The good things I remember is the filters, voice stealing algorithm, sequencer and master keyboard ability.

And three osc. but only 8 voices.

It was a good keyboard in 87 and it's a good buy today, if it's cheap and in good condition.

 

It used to be a lot of sounds on the net but if the sites are still up, I don't know.

[Guerillatheater]

hmm, well I'm a proud owner of a dx7

and for some reason I've been going very eighties lately, so it should be perfect.

 

the 8 voice limitation shouldn't be much of a problem since I sequence alot and probably would use it only for pads and bass and such.

another great thing is I can probably pick it up for less than i paid for the ppg wave 2.v.

[Gus Lozada]

You MIGHT find some cool patches right here:

 

(1) http://www.algonet.se/~fmd/patches.html

 

(2) ftp://ftp.ucsd.edu/midi/patches/ESQ1/

 

And here's a Librarian:

http://synthzone.com/midi/ensoniq/esq1/esq135.zip

 

One for the MAC:

http://www.cs.ruu.nl/pub/MIDI/PROGRAMS/MAC/esq1_librarian.hqx.gz

 

Another Editor / Librarian:

http://www.squest.com/Windows/Instruments/esq-1/index.html

 

Cool instrument, my friend...

 

--------------------

This message was edited since It had a horrible typo...

[Stephen Fortner]

I used to use one, along with a DX-7 and Korg Polysix, in my band in the 80's and early 90's. Got a lot of mileage out of it. Had my hands on a Synergy back then too, which I never could figure out how to get a decent sound out of, even with the computer to program it.

 

It it's cheap, get it. The ESQ-1 has a unique character, and besides, there's always room for one more keyboard.

[Raymar]

I've got an SQ1 Plus which is still usable and makes a great controller but what I like to do is double it with my soft synths. They really breath new life into my ROMplers.

 

Steve

[Gus Lozada]

Originally posted by Raymar:

I've got an SQ1 Plus which is still usable and makes a great controller but what I like to do is double it with my soft synths. They really breath new life into my ROMplers.

 

Steve

I do exactly the same ! SQ1 is old but yet cool.

 

I have always thought the SQ1, SQ2 and KS synths are just GREAT midi controllers.

[jlahib.no]

 

http://jorn.lavoll.no/studio/playingsynth2.jpg

 

sq-2 owner i am. i bought it when i lived in the USA, and it still runs on uhmm.. american electricity. (I'm in norway now). It survived the trip around the world almost just fine, one key is kind arattling on it.

[meccajay]

Originally posted by GusTraX:

Originally posted by Raymar:

I've got an SQ1 Plus which is still usable and makes a great controller but what I like to do is double it with my soft synths. They really breath new life into my ROMplers.

 

Steve

I do exactly the same ! SQ1 is old but yet cool.

Agreed, there are always 1 or 2 patches that can be used on most songs from my old SQ1+, great stereo effects. Although mine needs a battery.

[Gus Lozada]

Originally posted by meccajay:

Agreed, there are always 1 or 2 patches that can be used on most songs from my old SQ1+, great stereo effects. Although mine needs a battery.

What you need is a Panasonic BR 2032 3v lithium, and a surgeon hand to replace the original since it's soldiered into place.

 

If you find one, get an extra and send it to me ... it's impossible to find one on this city and when I've gone to the States I simply forget the battery thing...

[ELP71]

Bought an ESQ1 in summer of '88...rest of rig included a Korg Polysix and Roland JX-3P...all run through a Peveay KB-300. Man, I was loud.

 

I loved the ESQ1's sequencer, pretty decent piano sounds, and awesome editing capability. Some of the lead synth voices would really cut - especially whilst cranking the KB300...

[Guerillatheater]

well I guess that's settled then, a hundred bucks and I'm off to lead an eighties revival!