CATSYNTH

Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio | A detailed look at a 1980s synth classic!

CatSynth proudly presents a detailed look at the new Ensoniq ESQ-1 from our friends at Cherry Audio!

We go over most of its features, and explore some of the presets …including original ESQ-1 factory presets, the new ESQ-1 preset bank, the Andrew Longhurst ESQ-1 Collection, and Soniq Odyssey by John Dyson.

To find out more, please visit https://cherryaudio.com

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This popular synthesizer from the mid-1980s combined single-cycle digital waveform oscillators with analog filters and amplifiers. Abundant modulation sources allowed for dynamically changing sounds and was very much in tune with the overall tone of the era.

00:00 Introduction
00:31 History of the Ensoniq ESQ-1
01:33 Overview of the Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio
03:14 Original factory presets
05:07 Play panel
06:12 Oscillator 1 and DCA 1
11:04 Mixing oscillators
15:15 Oscillator AM and Sync
19:27 Filter
23:25 Amplifier: DCA 4 and Envelope 4
25:40 Modulation Matrix and Macros
32:31 Voice modes
34:17 Arpeggiator
37:33 Sequencer
41:58 Effects
44:56 Dual layer modes (and dual effects busses)
51:52 ESQ-1 Presets
51:14 Andrew Longhurst ESQ-1 Collection
57:23 Soniq Odyssey for ESQ-1
59:34 Conclusion


Photo credits
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ensoniq_ESQ-1.jpg
https://www.matrixsynth.com/2018/07/ensoniq-esq-1-vintage-synthesizer.html
https://www.matrixsynth.com/2026/03/ensoniq-esq-1-early-metal-cased-sqx-10.html
https://www.matrixsynth.com/2025/08/ensoniq-esq-1-legendary-80s-synth.html
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SID_chips.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yamaha_DX7_synthesizer_-_combined_image_with_diagonal_and_top_views.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roland_D-50_Front_(tweaked_image)_f.jpgShow More