Ensoniq ESQ-M

Presets are a little cheesy (most are) and you have to remember when this thing was made (1986?) so obviously the pres are a bit dated. Not very easy to program but Unisyn is a great solution for this.

Both the esq-1 and -m could almost be considered modular synths simply b/c of the routing capabilities (how many synths have 3 lfos?) Considering that this is wavetable w/ standard subtractive waves (square, sine, saw, pulse) coupled with the routing options you can make very strange and unique sounds. No sequencer on this one but who wants to program a hardware sequencer these days? Software has done it better for ages.

Obviously if you are looking for realistic piano, bass guitar or voice sounds you should look elsewhere (sampling technology has progressed in the last 20 years). What this synth does well give you a viable alternative to a prophet5 and/or a PPG wave, but without the weight and cost. I've had multiple synth enthusiasts sniff at the mention of esqs but this one of the best-valued synths around even if it's not as sexy as a Prophet or Moog or Oberheim.

Have used it live many times and have never had a problem

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I've had a couple of esq-1s and an esq-m so I use this synth a lot (over 10 years). I bought it when I wanted a prophet5 or 600 but didn't have the cash, and I'll never regret getting these.

Bottom line is that with all of the 'virtual analog' stuff out there, particularly the software recreations of the moogs and arps and prophets very few sound as good as these ensoniqs. Don't believe the hype when the reviews talk about how realistic the software sounds - I have them all (gmedia, arturia, etc) and none sound half as good as my esq-m.

My "current" model of the ESQ-M has ROM 1.2 which came out just after the unit was releasedin 1984-85(1.0)and it works well except for a few minor midi glitches.The presets are ok and useful in a 8bit sort of way but the unit has much more potential in it. The ESQ-1 which is the keyboard ver is very easy to edit and thanks to the LEDs display you can get around very easy plus these display have outlasted any of the backlit lcd's I have owned. The ESQ-M has a 1 line display so its a little more difficult to use unlike the ESQ-1 which has a large one,but once you get the hang of it its a breeze. Manual is very well written unlike say Yamaha who to this day still make encrypted manuals. Anyone working for the CIA can't figure out a Yamaha manual!

The ESQ-M like the ESQ-1 only has 8 voice polyphony but its multitimbral and you can layer and split the sounds which in 1985 was way ahead of its time. Remember guys that this was a few years before the M-1 and the ESQ line was fairly affordable with no competion at the time. No efx were built in as dsp efx were not yet integrated into the synths, however you could use the LFO and DCA to create panning effects ala rhodes trem or for electronic music ala Tangerine Dream. The syth had some complex routing not to mention each patch has three osc besides saw, sine you had sample piano, and digital waves so you can detune these to create very big sounds.Since I am reviewing the ESQ-M and it has no seq I will say the ESQ-1 had a very easy to use sequencer packed with some very nice features like quantizing.

Realistic. Not really if your comparing to todays 16-24 bit synth. Piano wasn't bad for its time but I am not a piano player. I can tell you that in mono mode you can create nice deep moog type basses, leads and use the mod wheel to open and close the filter which is great for electronic based musicans. The ESQ-M has some really good organ possibilities but my favorite thing is creating strange sounds and ambient pads. This unit because of its filters which btw are the same as what you will find on a Prophet 5 make it sound warm and a bit of grit. I have used the Ensoniq ESQ-M's or SQ-80(later ver w/ more waves) on all my cds. The big pads and nice sweeps make the Rolands older stuff sound thin in comparison(I still like my JX8P!)

No problems since I have owned them but you might have to replace the internal battery once in a while. I don't gig but I have moved around quite alot and these things are rugged!

Haven't dealt with Ensoniq at all.

I would definetly replace my ESQ-M. Its a bargain that should not be passed up even if you get the keyboard ver. which btw has a nice feel for a synth player(not piano)! Over the years I have created alot of sounds for the synth and there are also thousands of free patches on the net. ESQ-M was a very well thought out synthesizer and I highly recomend it to those who creat everythings from electronic, ambient, techno, experimental to rock music. You can hear me using the synth on my cds check out my music at www.alpha-wave.net

Extremely easy. never looked at manual.

Basically this is a ESQ-1 without the keyboard. Very cool. I have the ESQ-1 as well and just had to get the rack version too cuz I love the ESQ style so much. Takes up 2 spaces in the rack but its worth it.

Nothing sounds like the ESQ from Ensoniq. I have a TON of sound cartridges (and also a sequencer expander for it) so I have literally over 1000 Killer patches for this classic sonic monster. The sound capabilities are endless and incredible.

Built like a tank, although I would take back up for sure. Thats why I have 2 (ESQ-1 & ESQ-M). No problems with either one so far.

Not sure about this, but I know they got bought out by EMU which is good cuz EMU takes good care of people.

This is one of the best sonic values out there folks!! You cannot go wrong at this price and you can find sound cartridges for them easily so you can always expand the collection and of course make your own. I love this ESQ-M so much, if it were stolen, Id immediately buy another one if I could find it. They are getting a bit rare.

The Latest ESQ-M system software....The presets are great to say the least......I have my favorites like the Synpad and MiniM patches....also the Mixed(choir)patch is suprisingly realistic.It takes little time to learn the thing,especially If you've owned an ESQ-1 keyboard....it's pretty simple to operate and edit sounds....a patch editor will make programming it fun and exciting...I dont have the manual because i bought it used after I sold my ESQ1but Ensoniq is very helpful in those cases....

8-note polyphony.....no effects but that dosn't matter it accepts a data cartridge and is velocity sensitive...The full MIDI Implementation is Awesome....It has 3 Oscillators and analog filters....It makes an unreal minimoog sound as well as other mono/poly synths.....

This thing rocks!!!! I cant afford a Minimoog or a Prophet but this thing is the next best thing....TRUST ME!!
I'm sure it's slipping through alot of peaople's fingers....shame....

Version 1.10 of the software (damn it's old). Presets are typical 80's fare, got rid of 'em quick Editing patches is a little cryptic at first, especially if you are used to editing digital synths, especially since everything can modulate anything else. Yay!
One of the best manuals i've seen. Explains everything, straight- forward, no bullsh*t. Some other companies need to read this manual *cough*alesis*cough*

8 voice polyphony, best part is that you can switch patches the previous one will still ring out full with no breaks.
There are no built-in effects.
You probably know most of the specs for this machine already, this is the rack module version. No sequencer, no keyboard, but has a slot for an Ensoniq expansion cartridge (might be hard to find?) which adds another 80 patch locations to save on.
Full midi, you can control any controllable parameter pretty much through some midi controller or another. Modding the Filter cutoff to the mod wheel is pretty fun, gives you some nice smooth wah sounds (thanks to the Curtis analog filters, the same ones in the Prophet V might I add).

Don't get this if you're looking for realism. With all the cheap synths out there with PCM or whatnot, you're not going to find a super realistic sound on this baby. Since the waveforms are 8bit sampled and mostly very basic synth sounds (sine, square, saw, other artificial waves), it's best for bleepy bloopy analog dance noises ... can we say acid techno?
Run this baby through a distortion pedal and a little efx and you'll have some of the must beautiful electric blue tone that you've ever heard. Nothing in the price range compares to its gritty yet smooth tone.
Makes decent bass sounds, not bad lush pads (analog again), especially with 3 oscillators per voice, 3 lfos that can mod (and be modded), 4 envelopes, and genuine analog filters. It's an overlooked unit in the dance arena but definitely worth getting if you can get it for $250 or so (module).
Great leads.
Period.

hmm, jsut got it, it still works after 11 years ... i'd say not bad at all. i've heard rumors of ensoniq's bad tech support. make sure your battery isn't dead, and try to find a manual as they are hard to find.

never had to

yes, i would buy this machine again. it's got a unique, searing electric tone that cuts through anything you do. quite amazing. don't spend thousands on an analog synth emulator (ie nord lead or something) ... although don't also rely on this as your main synth. you'll need others too ...