PLUGIN Ensoniq ESQ-1 (Producto digital)

Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio

The Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio is a groundbreaking virtual synthesizer that captures the essence of the iconic ESQ-1 polyphonic hybrid digital/analog synthesizer, perfectly timed for its 40th anniversary celebration. This plugin 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, while also incorporating advanced features tailored for today’s musicians and producers.

In a unique 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. The sonic signature and behavior of the original hardware's legendary analog filters, provided by the renowned CEM3379 IC, have been meticulously emulated. The software also replicates its four DCAs, four independent multistage envelopes, three LFOs, amplitude modulation, oscillator sync, and an expanded modulation system. Users can drag-and-drop import individual patches and patch banks from ESQ-1 SysEx files or directly via MIDI from the hardware, and export SysEx patch files compatible with the original hardware.

While the original ESQ-1 required programming via a letterbox vacuum-fluorescent display, Cherry Audio's version brings controls and visualization directly to the surface, allowing for easy editing across multiple pages and a comprehensive understanding of its powerful signal path.

The ESQ-1 features a highly optimized stereo dual-layer architecture that supports an impressive 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 extend beyond the original hardware. Additionally, the ESQ-1 includes three independent effect chains and provides 20 studio-quality effects that can be customized, saved, recalled, and shared with other Cherry Audio synthesizers.

The Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio is not just a nostalgic tribute; it reimagines this iconic workstation as a fresh, inspiring tool for today’s producers to explore both musical history and new creative horizons.

Highlights and Features

Features

• Comprehensive four-slot modulation matrix with macros and simple click-to-assign functionality: 41 sources (with MPE options) and 85 destinations.
• Syncable and transposable per layer 16x4 polyphonic step sequencers for notes and modulations, with four independently assignable macro motions and 33 presets.
• SysEx compatibility with the original hardware: drag-and-drop import of individual patches and patch banks from ESQ-1 SysEx files or directly via MIDI from the hardware.
• Export SysEx patch files from the software compatible with the original hardware.
• Three independent customizable effects chains, one for each layer plus a global layer.
• Studio-quality effects including BBD Flanger, Compressor, Digital Delay, and more.
• Exacting emulation of the original Ensoniq ESQ-1 hybrid digital-analog synthesizer.
• Engineered with comprehensive circuit and behavior modeling techniques for unparalleled accuracy.
• 20 studio-quality effects that can be arranged, saved, and recalled within their effects chains.
• Mini UI effects control tray for easy management of effects.
• Standalone virtual instrument and plug-in versions included.
• User-adjustable oversampling control.
• Complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls.
• Cherry Audio's popular Focus zoom-in feature and standard UI zoom and resize options.
• Expertly designed user interface organized into five context-sensitive sections: Play, Edit, Modulation, Envelopes, and Sequencer.
• Three digital oscillators per voice, individually animated in the interface.
• Utilizes the original 32 ESQ-1 waveforms, licensed from Creative Technology.
• Oscillator sync and amplitude modulation options for rich harmonics.
• Voice Modes: Mono Legato, Mono Retrig, Unison, Polyphonic, and MPE.
• Highly optimized stereo dual-layer voicing architecture with up to 32 polyphonic voices per layer.
• Precision modeling of the Curtis CEM3379 analog resonant low-pass filter.
• Three LFOs for each layer with tempo sync and modulation assignments.
• Four independent multistage envelopes with velocity stages.
• Enhanced expressive performance options with compatible MIDI controllers.
• Independent per layer arpeggiators with four pattern modes.
• 350 professionally designed presets in 15 categories, including the original ESQ-1 hardware preset patches.