got an Ensoniq SQ-80...

Final Program · Post by **Final Program** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:24 pm

...paid $100 for it. Everything is mint, except that the keyboard doesn't work. Hooked it up to my D-50 and problem solved.

This machine makes some very interesting textures. I've already programmed some sounds that could be mistaken for a Prophet VS. Great for pads...love the Curtis filter.

Any other SQ-80 owners here? Opinions?

Box · Post by **Box** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:26 pm

Try cleaning the key contacts, see if that helps.

Altitude · Post by **Altitude** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:37 pm

see if the local is set to off

Final Program · Post by **Final Program** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:01 am

I'm afraid that's not it. When I turn it on, it says "calibration failed."

Panurge8 · Post by **Panurge8** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:14 am

Hmmm...

I know the ensoniq VFX was infamous for having key calibration issues because of the connection between two (of the three) boards under the keys. Does anyone know if the SQ-80 has that same design?

xpander · Post by **xpander** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:18 am

trying resetting the firmware, that fixed ALL of my age-old problems with my SQ80.

i also own a Prophet VS and and Poly Evolver; the SQ80 and Prophet VS definitely share a lot of the same sonic qualities, they are wonderful beasts!

Entropy Farmer · Post by **Entropy Farmer** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:28 am

It's my favorite synth so far. Those ugly lo-fi digital oscs + Curtis filter + modulation potential had me swooning a few minutes into programming my first patch. Next time I glanced at the clock 3 hours had passed. The interface is also surprisingly nice for only having the one data slider. It's too bad your keybed is FUBAR as the poly aftertouch is interesting. I can't really play, but still find it useful for pads.

PPG_HOSHII! · Post by **PPG_HOSHII!** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:36 am

Hey, good deal on the price!

I really like my SQ-80! Its useful at making ProphetVS and PPG Wave type sounds. I like the industrial type bass noises it can create. The digital choir noise is very cool and sounds like The Fixx. I don't really like the horn and piano sounds that come out of it, but thats when I use the Super JX. 8)

Alex E · Post by **Alex E** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:33 am

Panurge8 wrote:Hmmm...

I know the ensoniq VFX was infamous for having key calibration issues because of the connection between two (of the three) boards under the keys. Does anyone know if the SQ-80 has that same design?

Probably- because the VFX came out just a year before the SQ-80. This link will help if it is the same: http://www.mcwest.org/~mccreary/vfx/#kbd_fix -The connection can be hard wired to fix this problem.

Final Program · Post by **Final Program** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:35 am

xpander wrote:trying resetting the firmware, that fixed ALL of my age-old problems with my SQ80.

i also own a Prophet VS and and Poly Evolver; the SQ80 and Prophet VS definitely share a lot of the same sonic qualities, they are wonderful beasts!

How would I reset the firmware? I take it I should save all my patches if I go this route?

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:37 am

Here you can find a lot of useful material for the SQ-80:
http://www.buchty.net/ensoniq/
including the keyboard schematics, OS dump, etc.
it's worth to have the keyboard works since it has a desirable and now rare poly aftertouch action.

devetron · Post by **devetron** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:46 am

To re-initialize it: Hold the Record button in the sequencer and hit the top left "soft" button above the display. It will ask you "Erase all settings and re-initialize? YES**/NO**" So, yes you should back up your patches. It will return the factory presets to the memory.

You might want to tune the filters while you're at it Hold record and press the filter button to do that.

Good luck!

Final Program · Post by **Final Program** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:13 am

Cool. I'll try that out once I save my patches. Thanks.

got an Ensoniq SQ-80...

got an Ensoniq SQ-80...

SQ-80s are cool.