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I bought my ESQ1 from a local music retailer some 8-9 yrs ago for a sum of �400.
I thought it was a bargain then but 3 yrs later I picked up another for �100!
It needed work on it but I was able to get it up and running and sold it for a
profit some months later whilst keeping the 8 bank sound cartridge that came
with it for myself! However the synth itself has seen me through many sessions in the studio and it is
still my 'main synth' providing pads, organs, leads, basses and just about everything
else. Sounds are easy to program thanks to the big display and there's lots of parameters
to play with. The filter is a good one but I wish mine would go into self oscillation,
(it will only start to ring if you have an audio input from one of the oscillators).
Despite this the resonance can still give a good 'squelchy' analogue emulation.
Apparently you can still buy from Ensoniq the version 3 software chip that improves the sequencer
user interface and adds more waveforms to play with, you need someone whose used to handling chips
to do the upgrade however as its easy to 'zap' the chip by small electromagnetic chargers. Unlike some of the reviewers listed here I quite like the sequencer. Before I bought a computer and
started to use Emagic Notator, (later Emagic Logic), it was my main sequencer. Yes its a bit basic and
the editing is descructive, but what the hell! Every time you switch on the thing theres a notepad sequencer
ready and waiting to be used no matter where you are! All in all great value for money, (in the UK a good example goes for about �300). A good basic workstation
with more than its fair share of good sounds. It will still find usage in even the most well specified midi
rig.
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