Synthesizer: Der Consequencer - Ensoniq SQ80, ESQ1, ESQ-M, "Wavesequencing"

Ensoniq is now owned by E-Mu (they are owned by Creative Labs).. in fact it is dead as a synth hardware company..
Ensoniq wurde von Emu gekauft und gehört heute Creative labs (soundkarten etc..)

polyphonic aftertouch "poly pressure"	Ensoniq was the producer of the only poly pressure keyboards on the market for a very long time, so since the license wasn t cheap most other synthesizers offered channel aftertouch (monophonic) only. some offered poly pressure as a destination in the mod matrix.. like the Waldorf Synthesizers (Q,XT,Wave..) the SCI T8 and the CS80 by Yamaha were before the Ensoniq range, but remain still as the only exotic ones t hat had it.. - Ensoniq SQ80, TS10/TS12, VFX, SD, EPS, EPS-16+, ASR-10 in short: any Ensoniq since the SQ80 had it! all VFX and SD offsprings like the ks "piano" btw: most of the ASR-style synthesizers simply had the EPS/ASR structure but some ROM sounds in it, so the most only differ in the ROM content and FX changed..
Ensoniq : Ensoniq Fizmo this is some kind of a knobbed asr10 (asr10 / eps16+) quite "exotic" but you can use the m ost interesting ASR10 feature: so called transwaves, micro tuned wave cycles that can be scanned through. not exactly like korg wavestation or ppg wave or waldorf wave / microwave series, but very close combination: it uses ROM samples (the asr10 can use your own samples), because start end, loop pos is all modable ,so you can make lots of waves and "move through the waves"... the idea is to have wavetables for smooth interesting spectral movement/dynamics you can edit fizma completely using emagic sounddiver (no more pc version available), because you can not reach all parameters on the box itself. find more on transwaves and the like.. german infos: here (waldorf) waldorf tricks sampler maybe not that special.. but maybe you like it ;) more ensoniq..	Ensoniq FIZMO Synthesizer click this image to enlarge the FIZMO transwave synth the SQ80 and ESQ1 - go english: ensoniq to hear more about the ESQ-1 and SQ-80 series..
- asr10 / eps16+ - eps: 13 bit with 52khz sampliing rate: no FX. for the ASR10 and the EPS16plus: they had complex envelopes, in fact it has the same structure than the later ensoniq synths - or better - the synths were all asr10-structured but with ROM samples on board. very special: the effects processor, it provided 3 busses and a level for each, so any sound can be assigned but only at one level..	- asr10 / eps16+ - (D) die ensoniq sampler.. mehr dazu hier.. .. later prosoniq and waveboy did very cool realtime effects: the prosoniq FXL001 and FXL002 (one for the asr, the other for the eps, note: the eps without 16+ has no DSP!) they offered a room simulation, time stretch in real time, very cool for digital lofi FX and manipulation.. waveboy: resonant filters (yes, no ensoniq sampler had resonant filters exept the asr-x which is something like a groovebox version of the asr10 but no multisamples..) asr10: 16MB max eps: 2 MB max with 1MB flash rom, optional KB: ind. outs, SCSI - the racks already had it.. TS12 and TS10 are both synthesizers but they all read ASR10,ASR X and EPS / EPS16+ files /disks , the only difference: the TS have their own internal ROM samples to make a real synthesizer. the ASR-X is the only one with resonating filters.
ENSONIQ DP/4 this is the Ensoniq dp4 quad FX DSP processor it's 4 blocks can be set to 1, 2 or 4 block FX (there is a vocoder FX with 4 unit DSP power need.). it's still quite interesting, it's blocks can be routed and feedback routes. it reminds of the ASR10 FX section which is very nice, today it is a mid class FX, no lexicon, but nice mid range, non linear reverbs and other interesting FX freely tweakable. there was a dp4+ , it'S quite the same but it has a hi-z input for guitars and a tuner for guitars.. not much more. there is another "half" unit called dp/2 this one is real stereo, and can freely be adjusted. it can be modulated by 8 controllers , means: set it's parameters to any of those 8 controllers, no matter if it is one of those 4 block with 8 midi controllers or just 2 per block.. quite a lot of it's time..	Ensoniq DP 4 (or DP/4)
ENSONIQ SYNTHESIZERs ESQ-1 ESQ-M SQ-80 english version of "consequencer" trick..	THE ENSONIQ HYBRID SYNTHESIZERS ESQ1 - ESQ-M (rack) are the predecessors of the SQ80, the difference between them is simple: 1) the poly pressure keyboard (the esq has no AT at all) 2) more waveforms (some digital gritty stuff) 3) some small changes to the ENV section (if an R is displayed the SQ80 simulates some sort of "reverb",, well funny these days, huh?) both are 3 OSCed ROM waves with 8bit , anyway it can sound real nice and soft, it has 3 LFOs and 4 ENVs, and sync and AM for "dirtier" sounds. the concept is much of the xpander , the usier interface is a big display and softknobs around it.. just hit the section (eg. filter) and then the parameter name and move the data slider.. the VCF is an analog 24dB/LPF all OSCs can be modulated because they all have their own VCA!! AND NOW .. the tricks that can be done on this machine.. some kind of "wavesequencing".. this is about sick/strange rythmic (Wave?-)Sequences with Ensoniqs SQ80, (ESQ1, ESQ-M is ok, but limited) by using the OSCillators (only).. as found on Consequence Volition CD I know , you do not have it handy.. so listen to this by switching on (or off) AM or SYNC the waveforms can create new spectrum of sounds.. by switching AM or SYNC on you can make one shot samples (non looped) to be played one after another. The result is a loop "sequence" that can be modulated in many ways... With DCA and VCF "through" (Cutoff 127,Q=0 / DCA/ENV4 Envelopes all Levels to max.) you can check the basics ..after that you can use Filters to shape these "lowerthanlowBit" Oscillatorloops with some Q (Resonance) basic settings: OSC1: OCT=0, Semi=0, Fine=0, Wave: Organ, Mods 1 and 2=Off OSC2: OCT=0, Semi=0, Fine=0, Wave: TomTom, Mods 1 and 2=Off DCA2 Level=63 (Max) DCA1 Level=not important DCA3 Level=0 (can be used later but now use 0) DCA Mods 1-3= all "Off" Modes: AM=on, Sync=off,Restart Cyc und Osc= off. (otherwise you hear a constant sound!!), VC und ENV=on other LFOs / ENVs: doesn´t matter! press the 2nd C - (C2)!! change the loop but not the rhyhtm: change OSC1´s waveform (they should be looped (no "one shot" waveform here!).. some others will do the job, too) e.g. Voice1: the sound becomes more "digital", Bell will make it more melodic/tonal... The newer Waves (the ones that are not in the ESQ) are always cool, as "Grit1" on OSC1, sounds like FM!! (Modulation by fast LFOs or ENVelopes. OSC1 produces real cool & sick output). change the rhyhtm now? ok! same settings as above but OSC2 Wave should be eg: "Snare"! Mods for OSC1: for eg. Wheel -ctrl (...), amount: 63 and bend the wheel!! now we press button.. no - stop it! .. try to make your own experiments!!.. who wants to be inspired: listen to (Consequence) CD "volition" where you can hear what could be done.. perhaps that "asian" Sound on Track 9 (Definition Factor f:.), the SyncSound (same Track), or Track 2 (>transform<) are good for further inspiration...? if you do not hear the sound.. klick now! Make your own creation.. you can send them to me but send it as audiofiles (I have no SQ here now - but reprogrammed some of them an a Microwave XT - of course not those using drumsamples.. btw: the XT does not feature samples) you can do some cool things with in "Modes" Menu with SYNC (try other Waves..), that typical Pitchmod (on one OSC) of course.. c u, yours rhythmically Consequence you currently hear my SQ DEMOSOUNDS -> RUNNING NOW!!! of course there are many soundbites using thise trick on my CD ConseQuencE "volition" (get/order it or/and listen to the demos in the audio section..) btw: I could reprogram most of my old SQ80 (sync-)sounds on my Waldorf Microwave XT.. but these "consequencer"-sounds are a specialty of the (e)SQ series.. but I was happy to "save" the others via SQ->brain->XT "interface" :-) and here's what can be done with the SQ80's OS... http://www.buchty.net/ensoniq/index.html listen to my tracks at moogulator.de . I have loads of ESQ and/or SQ80 sounds at cybotech , and Consequence (volition CD) .(gone for now.. I will try to upload that stuff later - find it under consequence.info then.. (history)). back to Synth Menu