 |
|
|
|
Average rating:
4.4 out of 5
|
|
All in all a rather fantastic machine with some stuff you don't see very often like oscillator sync and loads of modulation routes. The sequencer's good for your classic mute/unmute/switch-pattern live thing.
One problem - it crashes like a bastard. If it ever crashes and tells you to press a key, DONT! just swich it off and on again, otherwise the the little beggar will wipe all the sequencer memory.
|
|
The ESQ-1 was my first proper Polysynth. I first heard one in 1987 and was amazed at the strings, organs and piano sounds. The sound creation and modulation routing capabilities smacked of Oberheim Matrix 6 yet you got more of everything plus a sequencer for �100 less than the Matrix 6. Generally I found the ESQ better suited for pad sounds. Having a third Oscillator tended to make lead or bass sounds muddier rather than fatter like a moog. The filter was thin and weedy compared with Oberheims, Moogs and Prophets. Despite these minor shortcomings, I preferred the sounds and the friendlier user interface over the Roland D50/D110 and Yamaha DX11/TX81Z synths. A major plus for those analog converts who hate going thru pages of parameters.
|
|
Ah yes, the ESQ-1. In my opinion an excellent synth for it's day, and
for the price (if you could find one now used) competitive today.
I'll admit some of the sounds pale in comparison to newer models
(ESQ-1 is 1986) it is still a classic machine and I still prefer
to use the built in sequencer over computer software. It makes
everything seem more raw and welfare...
|
|
Great machine good sounds, but have found it impossible to find new soundbank cartridges....real dinosaur! I use it to handle some deep bass sounds, I use an Allesis drum synth and AWE-32 to handle the rest. I add live guitar and bass tracks after all is done. Still need a picture? Anyways, probably the best 300$ (CDN!!) I've spent on technotoys
|
|
Very powerful, when used with a reverb and some delay, mostly mono sounds. This machine can make "fleet" solo patches. It's not a thin synth, I say. The drawbacks (personal opinion) are the bad piano sound and the limited polyphony, but I &127; better &127; sample it and play the samples thru my Maui soundcard.
Have you tried to modulate 3rd oscilator pitch with a square LFO at a rate of 4 or 5 and an amount of 63? Good "cosmic" sound. Or connect a small OpAmp to the CV input from your sweaty hand and modulate the filter... Barkin'! Once I had to sell some gear, and first let go a D-20 and a SY-35, but kept this dinosaur at home!!
|
Add your review of the Ensoniq ESQ1 Workstation
NEW SYSTEM - to keep the user reviews focussed, we are now approving all submissions before they appear.
We will endeavour to process your comments within 24hrs
Please keep your reviews on topic.
Questions, requests for manuals, ongoing conversations and inappropriate comments are not reviews, and will not be approved.
Manuals can often be found on the links section for this model.
If you want to chat or ask questions, visit the Gas Station, the dedicated user forum here at Sonic State.
|
