Cherry Audio ESQ-1: Hybrid Synth Reimagined

Cherry Audio Revives Ensoniq ESQ-1 for its 40th Anniversary

Cherry Audio has officially announced the release of its Ensoniq ESQ-1, a virtual synthesizer that meticulously emulates the iconic 1986 ESQ-1 polyphonic hybrid digital/analog synthesizer. This release is particularly significant as it marks the instrument’s 40th anniversary and represents a pioneering collaboration between Cherry Audio and Creative Technology, the current proprietor of Ensoniq’s intellectual property. Through official licensing, Cherry Audio has integrated the original 32 ESQ-1 waveforms, ensuring a faithful reproduction of the complex, evolving, and richly textured sounds that defined the original hardware.

The development process involved a deep dive into the hardware’s architecture. For instance, Cherry Audio meticulously modeled the sonic signature and behavior of the original ESQ-1’s legendary analog filters, provided by the renowned CEM3379 IC. Moreover, the emulation precisely recreates its four DCAs, four independent multistage envelopes, three LFOs, amplitude modulation, and oscillator sync. This dedication to accuracy extends to practical workflow, as the ESQ-1 software supports drag-and-drop import of individual patches and entire patch banks from ESQ-1 SysEx files. Furthermore, it allows direct import via MIDI from the hardware and can even export SysEx patch files compatible with the original instrument, fostering seamless integration for owners of the vintage synth.

Enhanced Workflow and Modern Capabilities

While the original 1986 ESQ-1 required users to program its functionalities through a compact vacuum-fluorescent display, soft buttons, and a data slider, Cherry Audio’s virtual counterpart revolutionizes this experience. The plugin brings all controls and visualizations directly to the surface, making it significantly easier for users to edit settings across multiple pages. This design provides a more comprehensive understanding of its powerful signal path. Consequently, this enhancement drastically improves the user experience, allowing for quicker and more intuitive sound design.

Beyond faithful emulation, Cherry Audio has introduced extensive modern enhancements. The ESQ-1 features a highly optimized stereo dual-layer architecture, supporting an impressive 32 polyphonic voices per layer. This enables multitimbral split keyboard and dual-stacked modes, each with separate per-layer controls for all parameters, including synthesis, modulation, patterns, and effects. A comprehensive four-slot modulation matrix, moreover, offers user-friendly click-to-assign functionality with dozens of source and destination options. This flexibility allows for intricate sound sculpting.

Performance Features and Sound Library

For performers, the virtual ESQ-1 offers expanded expressive possibilities. It supports channel aftertouch, polyphonic aftertouch, and a flexible new MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) system with compatible MIDI controllers. In addition, the built-in arpeggiator and 16×4 programmable polyphonic step sequencer are both syncable and transposable. These features include flexible humanize settings and macro motions, allowing for patterns that extend far beyond the capabilities of the original hardware. Users can assign steps to either notes or modulations, opening up dynamic rhythmic and melodic possibilities.

The plugin also features three independent effect chains, providing 20 studio-quality effects. These chains can be customized, saved, recalled, and even shared with other Cherry Audio synthesizers. To inspire creativity from the outset, Ensoniq ESQ-1 includes a library of over 400 exceptional presets. This collection comprises the original factory presets from the hardware, alongside new sounds crafted by veteran sound designers such as James Terris, Andrew Longhurst, James Dyson, and Steve Peglar. This extensive library highlights the best of both classic and contemporary sound design.

Features

• An exacting emulation of the sounds and functionality of the original Ensoniq ESQ-1 hybrid digital-analog synthesizer.
• Engineered with comprehensive circuit and behavior modeling techniques for unparalleled accuracy.
• Expertly designed user interface organized into five context-sensitive sections: Play, Edit, Modulation, Envelopes, and Sequencer.
• Three digital oscillators per voice, utilizing the original 32 ESQ-1 waveforms licensed from Creative Technology.
• Oscillator sync and amplitude modulation (AM) options for rich harmonics and aggressive timbres.
• Voice Modes: Mono Legato, Mono Retrig, Unison, Polyphonic, and MPE.
• Highly optimized, massive stereo dual-layer voicing architecture with up to 32 polyphonic voices per layer.
• 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 with tempo sync, reset, and human timing variation options.
• Four independent multistage envelopes with velocity stages, visualized with click-and-drag handles.
• Comprehensive four-slot modulation matrix with macros and simple click-to-assign functionality.
• Enhanced expressive performance options with channel aftertouch, polyphonic aftertouch, and MPE system.
• Independent per layer arpeggiators with four pattern modes, swing, chance, and feel.
• Syncable and transposable per layer 16×4 polyphonic step sequencers for notes and modulations.
• Over 360 professionally designed presets in 15 categories, including the 40 original ESQ-1 hardware presets.
• SysEx compatibility with the original hardware for patch import and export.
• Cherry Audio’s acclaimed Effects system with three independent customizable effects chains and 20 studio-quality effects.
• Standalone virtual instrument and plug-in versions (AU, VST, VST3, AAX).
• User-adjustable oversampling control, complete MIDI control, and DAW automation.

Price
The Ensoniq ESQ-1 is available for $69.00 USD. A free 30-day demo is also available.

More info: Cherry Audio | Ensoniq ESQ-1