Cherry Audio Ensoniq ESQ-1 (Digital Download)

Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio is a virtual synthesizer that celebrates the 40th anniversary of the classic ESQ-1 polyphonic hybrid synthesizer. It features the original 32 waveforms, allowing for authentic recreation of the complex sounds from 1986. Incorporating modern enhancements, it offers extensive modulation options and rhythmic pattern generation, and it supports polyphonic aftertouch and MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). The ESQ-1 also includes nearly 400 presets, encompassing both original factory sounds and new creations.

Cherry Audio has partnered with Creative Technology to officially license the original 32 waveforms of the ESQ-1. This release features a meticulous emulation of the legendary CEM3379 analog filter. We've accurately recreated its four digitally controllable amplifiers (DCAs), multistage envelopes, low-frequency oscillators (LFOs), and expanded the modulation system. The ESQ-1 software supports drag-and-drop import of patches from SysEx files or via MIDI from the hardware and can even export SysEx files compatible with the original device.

Ensoniq ESQ-1 supports AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats for Windows (7 or above, including Windows 11) and macOS (10.13 and above), with native support for Apple Silicon.

Highlights and Features

• An exacting emulation of the sounds and functionality of the original Ensoniq ESQ-1 hybrid digital-analogsynthesizer released in 1986

• Engineered by Cherry Audio with comprehensive circuit and behavior modeling techniques to provide unparalleled accuracy and exclusive compatibility with the original hardware

• Expertly designed and rendered 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, in four categories: Basic and Noise, Samples, Additive/Formant, and Band Limited

• Oscillator sync and amplitude modulation (AM) options for additional rich harmonics and aggressive, metallic, and bell-like timbres

• Voice Modes: Mono Legato and Mono Retrig (with note priority), Unison, Polyphonic, and MPE, with detune and portamento and glissando modes

• Highly optimized, massive stereo dual-layer voicing architecture with up to 32 polyphonic voices per layer. Keyboard split and stacked layer modes allow two simultaneously playable layers, with separate per-layer controls for all parameters, including synthesis, modulation, patterns, and effects

• Precision modeling of the Curtis CEM3379 analog resonant low-pass filter (4-pole 24dB/oct), expanded with 2-pole 12dB/oct low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass options

• Three LFOs for each layer, each with tempo sync, reset, and human timing variation options, delay, and 18 possible modulation assignments

• Four independent multistage (four levels, four rates) envelopes with velocity stages, visualized with click-and-drag handles

• Exceptionally comprehensive four-slot modulation matrix with macros and simple click-to-assign functionality: 41 sources (with MPE options) and 85 destinations, including ESQ-1's integrated arpeggiator, sequencer, and effects

• Enhanced expressive performance options with compatible MIDI controllers through channel aftertouch, polyphonic aftertouch, and a new, more flexible MPE system

• Independent per layer arpeggiators with four pattern modes – Arp, Leap, Order, Random – with swing, chance, and feel to add degrees of randomness to patterns

• Syncable and transposable per layer 16x4 polyphonic step sequencers for notes and modulations, with four independently assignable macro motions and 33 presets, humanize options, with precision clock and step synchronization

• 350 professionally designed presets in 15 categories

• Also includes the 40 original ESQ-1 hardware preset patches

• 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

• Cherry Audio’s acclaimed Effects system, with three independent customizable effects chains, one for each layer plus the global layer, and an individual effects modulator for each layer

• 20 studio-quality effects that can be arranged, saved, and recalled within their effects chains, which are interchangeable with other Cherry Audio synthesizers:

• BBD Flanger, Compressor, Digital Delay, Digital Reverb, Distortion & EQ, Dual Delay, Dual Ensemble, Dual Phaser, Envelope Filter, Flanger & Chorus, Galactic Reverb, Lo-Fi, Lushverb, Ring Modulator, Seven Band EQ, Spring Reverb, and Tape Echo. New in Mercury-8 are DCO Chorus, Panner, and Pulser

• Mini UI effects control tray for on/off, solo, bipolar modulator amount slider, and dry/wet mix for each effect. Global FX on/off, level, and stereo expand

• Standalone virtual instrument and plug-in versions included

• User-adjustable oversampling control

• Complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls, with easy-to-use MIDI learn and mapping (Preset and Global)

• Cherry Audio's popular Focus zoom-in feature, as well as standard UI zoom and resize via drag

• Complete documentation available directly online from the instrument or in downloadable PDF format

Ensoniq ESQ-1 waveforms are copyrighted works licensed from Creative Technology Ltd. ENSONIQ, the Ensoniq logo, and ESQ-1 are registered trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd.

System Requirements

macOS Requirements: macOS Requirements: macOS 10.13 or above. 64-bit required. Intel or Apple Silicon processor. 3.4 GHz Quad-Core or Apple Silicon CPU with 8GB of RAM is recommended. Hard disk space: 173 MB.

Windows Requirements: Windows 7 or above (including Windows 11), 64-bit required. 3.4 GHz Quad-Core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended. Hard disk space: 173 MB.