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.

Also available, exclusively from Cherry Audio, the Soniq Odysseys for ESQ-1 Preset Pack: Crafted by talented sound designer James Dyson, this pack includes 100 additional presets, along with a bonus 25 MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) presets, that dive further into the extended capabilities of the ESQ-1. Explore an immersive experience focused on expressive performance, layered and split sounds, complex modulation, as well as the sequencers and arpeggiators, complete with multiple effects chains. The outcome is a remarkable collection of dynamic sounds and motion you won't want to miss.

Ensoniq ESQ-1 Features

• An exacting emulation of the sounds and functionality of the original Ensoniq ESQ-1 hybrid digital-analog synthesizer 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
• Over 360 professionally designed presets in 15 categories, inclduing MPE-specific presets
• 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 is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats, and a free 30-day demo is available.

• macOS Requirements: 10.13 or above. macOS 13 Ventura supported. 64-bit required. Native Apple M1 or greater processor support, including Ultra. 3.4 GHz Quad-Core or M1 CPU with 8GB of RAM is recommended. Hard disk space: 173 MB
• Windows Requirements: Windows 7 or above (including Windows 11), 64-bit required. Quad-core computer with 8GB of RAM is recommended. Hard disk space: 173 MB

An internet connection is required for product activation.