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Average rating:
4.4 out of 5
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The easiest to use interface ever. Why they don't design all synth interfaces this way is beyond me. It's super easy and quick to edit using only one data slider. The keys feel great, they have the best feel of any board I have owned. It can do some phatty leads and basses thanks to the analog CEM filter. I love this board, and highly recommend it. The factory sounds are pretty bad, just program your own, it's pretty easy if you know anything at all about subtractive synthesis.
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I recently stumbled across an ESQ-1 at a pawn shop for alittle less than 100.00. I have coveted this synth since I laid Eyeson and used a neighbor of mine's unit.Believe me, considering the capabilities and sounds you can load up cuppled with the multilayered midi-I am about to pee my pants for JOY. Now I need STUFF!! HELP!!!
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Just got one and I can't believe how *little* I paid for this thing and how *much* it delivers as a synth. Incredible.
Not as smooth sounding as my Jupiter 6 but it fills in the gaps where I need those Prophet-like filter swells. It also does great resonant digital PPG-like sounds. Good bass too...
Yep. This synth should be worth more money. It does sound a little harsh at times, especially in the upper frequencies (aliasing?). It can sound brash sometimes too. But there is a sweet spot and the filters are great.
Kind of a "swiss army knife" of hybrid analog/digital synths. This thing can do a lot.
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I bought my ESQ-1 in '88 or '89. It was made in '87. I knew the guy who had it before me (saw him play it in a gig once)...so it was in pretty good shape (one key's cracked) when I got it.
For the time, it was a great board. The sequencer is only 8 track which seems a bit small by today's standards but it was easy to operate. The factory sounds are only there to demo the abilities of the instrument (I hope everyone understands that?). The REAL beauty of the ESQ-1 comes from its synthesis abilities. I have found this board to be superior to several knewer boards out there (and I really like KORG...but it synthesizes better than the X2, for example). The synthesis mimics the approach one would use on an analog synth (e.g. like a Moog). This is the only "affordable" synth that I have messed with that can actually make a good Hammond B-3 sound. I have used this board for 17 years. I have gigged extensively with this board in 2 different bands and have never had a problem with it. If anyone out there is tired of their ESQ-1, email me...I would like a chance to buy it from you!
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The ESQ-1 is a great synth. Its intuitive interface makes it a great first synth and its fat sound keeps it a staple instrument in any studio. If you master the basics of sound design on this synth (perhaps the most straightforward platform on which to do so), you will easily grasp most other synth and soft-synth sound design processes.
I noticed the ratings were mixed for the keyboard action but having played hundreds and owned a handful, I like it's action better than any synth I've ever played; this, after spending over 3 years selling pro synths.
I bought my ESQ-1 in 1987 with a consumer loan and have owned it ever since. If you're looking for a synth's synth, this one will do handely.
Enjoy, Randy
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