It's so sad that Ensoniq is no longer around.... many of their instruments were unique and had unparalleled character. I was lucky enough to find a brand new (forgotten in storage somewhere) TS-10 in the early 2000s, and I still love him so much. The heavyweight build quality, the sound quality, the very special and unique keyboard. I hope this beauty will live on for many years to come!
Hi! With this wonderful synthesizer, the Swedish super duo of Roxette, created the legendary song "The Look", N°1 in 32 countries in the world, (Record!!..) including USA, and ITALY!!! The sound of the song "The Look" is truly something exceptional, the atmosphere they have managed to create is truly Incredible, even listening to it today one is left speechless!!!
This video really brings back a wave of nostalgia! In my high school music class from 2012-2015, we had either 3 or 4 older synths to play for our concerts. I was looking over them and the Ensoniq ESQ-1 caught my eye and I chose it as my primary instrument. It's sound quality in terms of realism couldn't match the newer synths my classmates were playing such as more modern Yamaha's but the Ensoniq had a very unique sound. I even recall the excitement of my teacher and I when I found a bin full of extra voice cartridges to expand it's capabilities. Part of the reason we were on older instruments was because our high school had a very limited budget but I had an excellent time playing this keyboard. Hopefully it is still functional and a new generation of students are learning on it. Thanks for uploading!
Thanks for sharing Brad. HIgh school music class was so formative for me - it's when we first heard a DX7 and it really started me down the road of playing synthesizers in other bands.
Ensoniq was one of a few synth makers available in Tasmania in the 1980's (Yamaha, Korg, Roland, and Kurzweil too). I had a Mirage, ESQ-1, EPS-16, SQ80, and eventually an ASR10R. They were robust gig capable keyboards (and rack gear).
Awesome video!. Much enjoyable. At 9:38min you can see the awesome Argentinian musician, Keyboard player, producer, great teacher and human being, Daniel Sais. ❤💪 At the moment the photo was taken he was playing keyboards with the also Argentinian band Soda Stereo (around 1987, 1988). I remember that I admired so much his playing and his 80s "The Cure" look, that became his fan. I investigated what instruments he used to play at live gigs and discover the ESQ-1!, along with the JX-8P, the ELKA X-50. Daniel is no longer with us but is still remembered and respected with much gratitude and love. I´m still looking for an ESQ-1 to pair with my JX-8P. My best regards.
One of the great features of the Mirage and ESQ-1 was the keybed. I've always like the "bounce back" of the keys. Nothing like a weighted keyboard, but I found it really easy to play.
Had the ESQ1 and later the SQ80 both great synths and sonically relevant to this day . Also the most user friendly programmable synths of the knobless era . Skinny puppy plug too . Instant like . Cheers !
I found one of these at a pawnshop with a faded out tag that said $350. I talked the shop into giving it to me for 60. All it needed was a fixed key spring and bsttery replacement, but i was blown away by the sound possibilities keybed,and uniqueness of it. I later undersold mine during hungrier times, but i saved the tape memory of the wild patches i made with it and one day, i will be reunited with that synth!
Fantastic tribute. You really captured the 80's noistalgia in your video. I have a metal case ESQ-1. It's developed an issue where the sound intermittently becomes loud and distorted. I'm told reseating the chips might help. It's a great synth. I remember when it came out, loving it's sleek appearance and the very TRON-like VF display, which almost had an infinity mirror look to it. Even the Ensoniq logo looked similar to the Encom logo from Tron. Very distinctive 80's synth...digital, but with an analog quality.
Hey PM - thanks! Have you tried looking at the the volume slider? I hade mine go bad and it was doing a similar thing where it was just 'snapping' randomly to full volume.
I was at a music and hifi show in London late 80's, and spent awhile at the ensoniq stand. They drew in the crowd with their wonderful sounds. Did the intro for Simple minds Alive and Kicking, most of the audience thought the band were doing a gig...❤
I bought My ESQ-1 Brand new in 1987 I was 15. I love this Synth and still own one. I can make so many sounds with this machine it's AMAZING. The Curtis filters truly made it sound like a big money analog synth. There will always be a place in my rig for this Synth.
It's never been given the true credit or place in history it deserves. 8 Part Multitimbral, an 8 part Sequencer, 8 sounds addressable via MIDI, 8 midi tracks that could be outputted to external voice modules, on board drum kits, very usable piano and organ plus wonderful synthesizer presets and programming capabilities, a full mixer with volume, pan, mute and solo, a good full size key action all velocity sensitive. It was an absolute game changer and a proper work of genius, design forethought and practicality at a bargain price. It really was a dream come true for those of us on a budget. The ESQ 1 was as much a milestone as the ARP 2600, for different reasons of course but a quantum leap non the less.
These were always highly regarded in Australia, even in the 90s the price never got that low. But the good news is they are still affordable. The synth certainly has character, I had mine for around 5 years in the mid 2000s.
I owned an ESQ-1 for many year before selling as I wanted a new sound but quickly regertted it. It’s a wonderful synth and as you mentioned, it is so easy to program with the clearly marked architecture layout.
Side note: Honestly deserves its own reply/comment... It would hella rawk if someone relaunched ENSONIQ today and see what new cool toys they would release. While sticking to their original core. Would SERIOUSLY rawk.
Good video. The ESQ-1's release was a result of a simple and brilliant strategy. I started with Ensoniq in 1984 and saw much during those early years and beyond.
Thanks for sharing! Ensoniq really had the right idea - the software they put into their products was where they spend the extra effort, and gave people loads of features for a relatively low cost.
I still have my Ensoniq SQ80 (essentially an ESQ-1 with a floppy drive and expanded memory) and it's still working flawlessly some 34 years later. The user interface is the best one I've ever seen on any other synth, especially the sequencer section. Unfortunately, the 8 bit nature of the beast sometimes shows its limitations, but for the time it was very impressive at that price point.
The SQ-80 was actually 12bit & not 8bit like the ESQ1 was... The SQ-80's were basically a late stab of releasing a bug free & better built attempt to revamp the initial great sales.. & reputation of esq-1s. SQ-80 is the rarer, & better 12bit version. There was only one, late production run of SQ-80's... I've been told that only about 800 units where made & sold in its time. They are usually sold 2nd hand now at close to twice as much as ESQ1s do. They do sound better, & are known to be well constructed & bug free for purchases as 2nd hand Ensoniq gear goes. If u have one don't let go of it.
@@TimesOfTheSines.official Are you sure about that? The SQ-80 uses the exact same chipset as in the ESQ-1 (Ensoniq DOC which works internally with 8 bits resolution, 8X CEM3379, 68B09E CPU), with added Western Digital 1772 Floppy Controller chip, and 80K of sequencer RAM. I should know I have the schematics in front of me. Perhaps you're thinking of the Ensoniq EPS (which is a 12 bit sampler), and the EPS 16+ which was 16 bits? The Mirage is, of course, 8 bits because it uses the same DOC chip as the ESQ-1 and SQ-80. As I said earlier, the SQ-80 came out in 1988, a few years after the ESQ-1, and it was a "souped-up" version, with a completely different keyboard controller with contactless keys and polyphonic aftertouch, a 3.5 inch floppy drive, and maxed-out sequencer memory, and a bigger choice of wavetable samples in a bigger ROM. But everything in it is 8 bits. It's essentially an 8 bit specialized micro-computer from the eighties with 80K of RAM, superb software in ROM, and a custom audio IC chip.
Aaaah johnny morgan does it again. Strangely, i miss my esq more than my old roland gear(106,8p) Still proudly have my eps16+. (And 2 midibugs!!!) Ensoniq were a special company and the esq-1 is a might fine piece of gear. Funny how just recently, digital and analogue have been united in similar formats, again. 👍
I sold all my remaining physical synths for a computer only set-up with no regret but EPS 16+ and ASRs are still fantasies to me. I liked them so much. No current virtual sampler have their efficiency... I kept all the sounds libraries I created at that time and I still use them with less user friendly software... My dream would be to have a VST virtual ASR.
Found this channel today. Great mini documentaries. As someone who started buying synths in the early 90s this is some excellent filler for my knowledge of what came before. Nice work.
Ensoniq was a great company. It’s really a shame about their demise. I still have my EPS. It hadn’t been played in a couple of decades at least when I pulled it up from my basement and set it up. Fired right up. I had lots of disks that were 30 years old at least and they all work too. I’m going to do some new pieces with it. Talk about a company that made things to last.
Thank you for all your "Story" videos. They are very well done, I liked them all !! Regarding Ensoniq I started selling their products when they started their own subsidiary in France after using a particular local distributor. My love story with them started with the EPS Sampler (13 bits). I am looking forward to seeing your stories about EPS and ASR lineups !!!
Very under rated synth as of today and what makes me mad is that they are dirt cheap as opposed to a D-50,Korg DW8000 or a Sequential Circuits synth, for me one of the greatest companies way ahead of their time and another that comes to mind is Generalmusic.
I used to own one of these, sold it to my best friend at the time… And honestly, probably one if if not the best synth I’ve ever owned, and would get another one.
I remember demoing one a week beofore I was to travel to the UK with my band back in 1986 and couldn't believe the quality of the piano sound at the time. Since then I have always had an ESQ1 in my setup, and wouldn't be without it. Fantastic mini documentary, well done!
Years ago I was given an ESQ-1 which is faulty / needing repairs. Life got in the way. It's still sitting there. I need to get it out and restore it. Thanks for the great video :) The algorithm fed me your K3 video this morning, I used to own a K5000W. Subscribed :)
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams I am unsure - I haven't actually tested it. Will open and inspect first. Although a few days ago I picked up a fully functional TS-12, which while lacking ressonant filters covers the other end of Ensoniq quite nicely I think.
@johnnymorgansynthdreams - I'm back with an update! Haha. It has multiple issues. Display is garbled in self test mode (harness unplugged from mainboard) but garbled normally then when you press buttons the garbled characters scroll off and then it's blank till the next power cycle. No battery left in there to rot thankfully. Under load all voltages at the power supply are normal. Keybed has issues, some stuck notes. Had to reseat mainboard power connection a few times to get board to power up, with keyboard unplugged can control it normally over midi. Pressing buttons blind after reading the manual to learn how, i can adjust oscilators, envelopes. Hard reset, soft reset, and filter calibration after that still can't get filter or panning envelopes to change. In fact the left / mono output works but goes very quiet when something is plugged into right output, which then outputs most of the sound. So I've got quite a few little repair jobs. VFD display is too tall for the case and was loose in the case, I think it's a donor from a plastic model (mine is metal) from the previous repair attempt. I've contacted Rainer at Buchty net to get a display driver chip kit, he's out of stock at the moment and has to make more. So I'm not expecting help from you or anything, but came back today to watch your lovely mini-doco again, and thought my comment needed an update. :)
Love this video (and your history video in general). I have an ESQm (upgraded to SQ80), Mirage, and Fizmo. For a while I just had a DX-7, ESQm, DSS-1, and Drumulator...and it was awesome! The Mirage is also awesome in its lo-fi crunchiness. I enjoyed the ZR-76 and Fizmo as well, but sadly sold the ZR...and I don't spend enough time with the Fizmo, honestly. Always loved the Ensoniq sound...it sits well with other machines without overpowering them...and yet is still distinct enough to point out.
I wish there was a website with a public exchange for ESQ-1 sequences with the patches too, sort of like the Patternarium for Sonic Charge's Microtonic. I just started to understand the sequencer and it's fun to see how much you can pack in w only 8 voices. And also i'm dying to hear what kind of patches the rest of the world has come up with in recent decades as opposed to the old presets being passed around.
Such an outstanding tonal prograssion which cannot expain in few words! Becoz i owened An MR- 61 Ensoniq synthesizer workstation! Let us wait for ensoniq re production! iam from Kerala - South India.
I have one and whats nice about mine is its mint, I have the 1024 sound cart also. This synth is a beauty. I also have a VFXsd, SD-1 and EPS "classic", all in great condition some with the GOTEK drives. The ESQ-1 sounds fantastic, never gets old.
I bought my ESQ-1 in 1990 - I was actually looking for a DX-7 but the ESQ-1 came along first so I bought it. I programmed it to do drums (driving a drum machine via midi) and synth in a covers band in the early 90s - all using the onboard sequencer. At the end of each set we'd have a break of about 20 minutes which gave me a chance to load the next set from tape. It took just under 10 minutes to load so I had two chances to load the set - sometimes it wouldn't load and we ran a bit late. But the keyboard was built like a tank. I sold it about 10 years ago, I still have my TS-12 which Iove.
Hi Matthew - that is an amazing recount. I so remember those days as well, loading samples at the end of each song for the next, and sequencing from am IBM XT running Cakewalk V1. Great times!
Excellent video! I love my ESQ-1 and still use it a lot today. Been using it mostly for ambient music for soundtracks but it's also great for synth/retrowave and just a great synth overall.
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams I was just a consultant / tester for them, they hired a lot of professional engineers like me to develop the sample library and presets.
Loved the esq, loved the UI the sound and flouro display, shame someone couldn't bring out a similar size modernized version, for us hardware loving dinosaurs.
The Mirage was groundbreaking at the time, but Ensoniq never managed to retain the sampling market, even though the later EPS was excellent, as Akai dominated. The machine I spent most time with was the Ensoniq VFX and VFX-SD which became the successors of the ESQ-1. They were fantastic machines, but prone to terrible reliability issues. At one point they were coming out of the factory with a 95% failure rate. When on tours I would take two spares because they were so flaky.
Great video! You probably should have mentioned the ESQ-M, plus the SQ-80 since it is largely the same instrument. I own an ESQ as well as an SQ-80. I got both fairly cheaply. I love the gritty waves, analog filters, and crazy extensive modulation. I need to sell at least one of them to make space, but I'm not sure yet which one will be going.
I had a C64, as well as an ESQ-1. The ESQ-1 was awesome. I loved the filter, and it was super easy to program compared to something like the DX7. I had to replace the power supply twice though, and then one day ALL the magic smoke got out. It was a awesome synth to learn on.
@johnnymorgansynthdreams it was a remote job...they just sent me gear and I worked on prototypes..fun gig. Great sounds...they had a bell sound in the ESQ I used in albums that has never been replicated.
Mine is unfortunately not currently in my rotation due to space restrictions but I can’t wait to pull it back out. Amazing synth and not as bad to program as many other things from the era. Looking at you, Oberheim
Johnny , thanks man. This is my first real real synth. I bought one in 97 for 300.00. It is a fat synth. My fault for stupidly trading it for a sampler
Digital Synth world is split between FM synthesis and subtractive synthesis. So Yamaha DX7 cannot be used for comparison between subtractive synth devices. They produce different classes of sounds and complement each other.
@@rorbot_SMF There are also Yamaha Montage and MODX synths to combine AWM2 and FM-X as implementations of digital subtractive synth over Wave Tables and FM synth with 8 operators.
Nice documentary . He esq1 is maybe my favorite synthesizer . Listening to the sounds here takes me back to the day in 86 when I bought mine and even brings back the smell from the new unit . I still have this unit today and I will never part from it
@@johnnymorgansynthdreams good to hear that, nowadays I have collected a whole range of ensoniq gear but I still keep coming back to the Esq, although I have the sq80 as well. Like a first love 😃
Still have a Mirage and the ESQ-1, SQ-1( i use to have two ESQ1's), and am dying to play with it again. Current Collection: Korg PolySix, Korg Triton Le, Korg Kronos 88 special edition, Ensoniq Mirage, ESQ-1, & SQ-1, Roland JX-1, Oberheim X-Pander. MC-500 Sequencer. Yamaha P-115, Roland V Drums & TD-25, & 1001 soft synths. Things i sold i wish i hadn't!!!: Korg VC-1, Casio FZ-1!!!!!!, Casio CZ-5000!!! (I think) Yamaha DX-9, Roland JX-8P!!!!!
The ESQ-1 was in my top 5 synths that I've owned over the last 50 years. Others in my top 5 list were Korg Wavestation EX, ARP 2600, Yamaha DX7 and Roland D50.
Well done. You got it right. Ensoniq did a number of tremendous products, but stumbled at the end with the MR and ZR keyboards, which had good waveform sound sets, but a dismal sequencer. They were great concepts, but unfinished. The Fizmo was likewise, but has a unique sound abiliity for which its valued. The ASR-X was the same story. Something was amiss back in Malvern, PA, home of Ensoniq. The reason that Ensoniq remains very under appreciated today is that it did not have a champion, like Dave Smith, who was positioned to carry it forward as a personal vision as well as a viable business. Other manufacturers, like Yamaha, Korg as well as Roland went onward, with the capital and industrial capacity to fully develop the workstation which Ensoniq opened the door to with their incredibly smart products. Now, it's all computer-based, but it's still so quick and easy to compose on an Ensoniq. And they remain very musical in their own right.
They did have a central figure,Robert Yannes. He was the man behind many amazing designs,(also invented the Mos Sid chip) and co founded Ensoniq. The difference is: He was more of a tech then a public face for the company,and seemingly didn’t have the same kind of enthusiasm that Dave did in regards to public relations. The paradigm of technological advances,and technical issues toward the end sealed their fate,unfortunately.. Ensoniq hadn’t had a major hit product in a while,and the Asr-x variants killed off the Asr legacy,as the company struggled to keep up with repairs for some of their older flagship models. I worked in a shop around 98,and we were FLOODED with nonstop “repairs” for asr-10’s. It was always the same- Just swap the main boards out for new ones from Ensoniq,and send them the core. That HAD to have drained them pretty bad before they inevitably sold to Emu,and evaporated…😢
Fab I owned one back in 87 ish and only let it go in 2011 as i moved into computer music making - im still tempted to get one of the VST ESQ1 or SQ80 for a bit of a nostalgia trip and that sonic flava
Just found a song tape from 86 i used the ESQ1 on sounds great 👍 this was my upgrade at the time from an early 70s korg mini 800 which i have on my earlier songs after 40 years or more these vintage keyboards sound much better than i thought at the time, now i have decided to buy synths again so have the M brute , a behringer poly d due in April plus my old stash of violins gretschs harps to keep it Wild ❤
Great video and jam! I have played, bought and sold so many synths over the years, but the ESQ-1 is the only one I bought again after selling it to my regret. Also Skinny Puppy was always my favorite band so yea I may be biased lol
