A self-circuit bending Ensoniq ESQ-1?

[ensoniqphreak]

My Ensoniq ESQ-1 started demonstrating some quirks recently that--while expected becuase of the machines age--make me second guess my plans to repair the power-supply and replace the faulty chip on the main board (I have an early serial number, OS. 2.0) The reason for my heistation is that I have fallen in LOVE with this machines misbehavior. Essentially my pitch bend wheel settings now allow (at a minimum) a 48th above or below the fundamental, at the maximum fluxuates within the 60-67 range. It makes for some *unreal* sounds (especially in the newly opened lower ranges) that I worry I could lose forever if I so much as *reinitalize* this dinosaur, much less go under her hood and fix her up, much as I *ache* to do so. What do y'all think? Sounds/ vids will be forthcoming!

-eSP

[stikygum]

...Don't fix what's not broken....

If you are liking what it offers you, then why change it only for the sake of having a perfect working one. It depends if you really want it to be locked in key. If not, no need to fix it. I think sometimes, synths that misbehave can be kind of cool to use, kind of like a battery dying in a guitar pedal, you get magical sound from it that it won't make if it's not dying.

[Synthazaiser]

My esq-m had that same problem with the pitch-bend amount.

[ensoniqphreak]

All of these machines seem to be developing quirks in thier golden years. I dont plan to open the hood until it stops powering up, which I assume will happen at some point. The expanded pitch bend range is too sick to make fixing her now an option. I wonder if it is power-supply related or indicates a mainboard issue? I have power-supply woes already (occasionaly decides it doesnt want to boot, but i pray and it seems to start working again every time) but only in intermittent bouts. The rest of the OS seems too operational to indicate a serious mainboard problem, perhaps it is just isolated to the U22 chip. Ensoniq ESQ-1's are finiky little monsters but worth the trouble... even thier misbehavior has an organic and other-worldy quality to it......

[rharris07]

any chance of some videos and/or sounds? i've recently purchased an sq-80, and am thinking about picking up an esq-1 if i like the feel of the 80...so i would love to see what its capable of possibly doing on its own some day!