Still the One. More than Ever.
Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio is a landmark virtual synthesizer that captures the essence and iconic sounds of the classic ESQ-1 polyphonic hybrid digital/analog synthesizer, perfectly timed for celebration of its 40th anniversary. This plug-in features the original 32 waveforms, allowing it to faithfully recreate the complex, evolving, and richly textured sounds of the 1986 ESQ-1 in software form. Additionally, it comes with advanced features designed for today's musicians and producers. Its elegant design incorporates extensive modulation options, rhythmic pattern generation, and enhanced performance capabilities through polyphonic aftertouch and MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). Ensoniq ESQ-1 also features a library of over 400 exceptional presets, including the original factory presets from the hardware, highlighting the best of both classic and all-new sounds.
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Cherry Audio partnered with Creative Technology, the current owner of the Ensoniq intellectual property, to obtain official licensing for the original 32 ESQ-1 waveforms for this release. Equally important, we meticulously emulated the sonic signature and behavior of the original hardware's legendary analog filters provided by the renowned CEM3379 IC. We also precisely recreated its four DCAs, four independent multistage envelopes, three LFOs, amplitude modulation, oscillator sync, and expanded its modulation system. Its accuracy is such that the ESQ-1 software supports drag-and-drop import of individual patches and patch banks from ESQ-1 SysEx files, or directly via MIDI from the hardware. Additionally, the software can export SysEx patch files that are compatible with the original hardware.
Ensoniq's ESQ-1 was a powerful synthesizer, but it required users to program much of its functionality via a letterbox vacuum-fluorescent display, soft buttons, and a data slider. In contrast, Cherry Audio's ESQ-1 brings the controls and visualization directly to the surface, enabling users to easily edit settings across multiple pages and gain a more comprehensive understanding of its powerful signal path.
Cherry Audio's ESQ-1 features a highly optimized stereo dual-layer architecture that supports an astounding 32 polyphonic voices per layer, enabling multitimbral split keyboard and dual-stacked modes. A comprehensive modulation matrix includes four slots with user-friendly click-to-assign functionality and offers dozens of source and destination options.
The built-in arpeggiator and 16x4 programmable polyphonic step sequencer are both syncable and transposable, featuring flexible humanize settings and macro motions for patterns that go far beyond the original hardware. ESQ-1 also features three independent effect chains and provides 20 studio-quality effects for chains that can be customized, saved, recalled, and shared with other Cherry Audio synthesizers.
Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio is more than a nostalgic tribute to what was the first synthesizer for many musicians, including us! It masterfully reimagines this iconic workstation as a fresh, inspiring tool to help today's producers explore both the musical past and new, uncharted horizons.
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