Ensoniq esq 1 lovings festival

[kingink]

come on. this synth rules so much for the price! psssh, screw that. this synth just rules! I think it is the best sounding of the analog/digital hybrids. I love my Ensoniq a whole lot!

[loungedumore]

Tell us how you really feel ?

but seriously I understand I had one ( now replaced by an SQ80 ) and they are so impressive considering the tech behind them that it feels like you found a secret or something .

[BlackGnosis]

In before Ashe37 finds this and hi5's everyone who has an Ensoniq.

[mharris80]

Can't really argue. Got my ESQ-1 for $140 USD at a pawn shop. Great sounding board. Especially in my case, as that price also included 1XRAM cart and 1XROM cart, plus a hard case.

[walkathon]

The one in my studio's on permanent (?) loan from a friend; 'twas his first board. People prolly overlook these 'cause of their sheer ubiquity, and let's be honest, it's not the sexiest-looking synth ever made either , but I'll gladly jump in on the lovin' here. Need to see if there's a 1600x file for one out there ...

[Ashe37]

1600x file?

But yes I like my ESQm as well...

[walkathon]

Sorry, should've mentioned Peavey beforehand ...
http://www.defectiverecords.com/pc1600/pc1600.html

[Big Gnome]

I just got one myself about two weeks ago (which unfortunately required a battery change, OS update, and a serious control panel cleaning--I think a very sugary cup of coffee had been spilled on it at some point), but I'm in love. I don't think I've turned on my other synths since I got the ESQ up and running.

[Alex E]

A damn fine instrument.

[StepLogik]

Let's put it this way, when I sold off the last of my vintage synths the ESQ-1 stayed.

[meatballfulton]

You guys are making me feel guilty for selling my SQ-80

[Sir Ruff]

Not to crash this love-in - cos I luuurve my SQ-80 greatly - but this commonly regurgitated theme (how great and underrated the ESQ-1/SQ-80 are) seems to pop up like 2/3 times a year.

Then everyone rushes to get one, the prices briefly go up, and then those new buyers decide they actually DON'T like them, sell them, and the prices goes right back to where they were.

Cue the same thread this time next year

[calyx93]

There's a reason I have three SQ-80 in my studio. They're simply the easiest, most powerful and surprisingly affordable digi-log synths out there. Sure, there are a little bit of issues, but I cannot tell you how many COMPLETE tracks I made using this synth - by it self. Lots of Yazoo and Depeche Mode covers for a band I was in, and very 808 State-like tracks. The sequencer is so user-friendly.

I have an entire vintage Ensoniq corner in my studio - the three SQ-80, one ESQ-1 and two Mirage samplers. Well made and sturdy gear.

I just wish more folks were willing to repair them

[kingink]

i can believe that there is a thread every year!

it offers many more initial octaves than other digital/analog synths i have had and used. the mono patches i have created on it are great, which i did not expect this synth to do well with. the only thing i wish it had was onboard effects and an arpeqiattor.

[Phenom]

Never owned one, but it has a place in my heart as it was the first synth I ever ever played, music teacher in high school (also a session player for a few famous folks) had one. I played a nice string pad whilst the rest of the class played along on the casiotones. I felt the power beneath my fingertips and looked upon my fellow classmates with pity and disgust. Was hooked from then on...