[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

359.0. "New Ensoniq Synthesizer - ESQ1" by SVCRUS::LABAK () Thu May 15 1986 15:43

    ENSONIQ is introducing a new synthesizer (ESQ-1) it will
    be available within 7-10 days at Union Music in Worcester Mass.
    Union is also having a demo on this keyboard at the end of June.
    KEYBOARD
    *61 note weighted-action with polyphonic velocity sensitivity
    *programmable split point
    *sound layering on either or both keyboard halfs
    
    VOICE ARCHITECTURE
    *8-voice polytimbral
    *3 digital waveform oscillators per voice
    *amplitude modulation on each oscillator
    *32 multi-sampled and synthetic waveforms
    
    PROGRAM PARAMETERS
    *40 internal programs,direct access
    *80 external cartridge programs,direct access
    *compare mode for comparing programs
    
    SEQUENCER
    *8 polyphonic tracks eash with separate program and midi channel
    *tracks can play internal voices and/or external midi instruments
    *up to 8 voices per track,dynamically assigned
    *internal storage 2400 notes,expandable to 10,000 notes
    
    MIDI
    *poly,omni,multi,and mono modes
    *8 simultaneous polyphonic channels with seperate programs
    
    weight 28lb
    price $1395.00 without sequencer expander cartridge
           $1485.00 with    ''        ''         ''
    *and much more 'check it out!'
                                        Rick LaBak
           
                                                  
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
359.1CANYON::MOELLERPLANKALKUL Language Support GroupThu May 15 1986 17:144
    Well, Rick, when you get your hands on one, if even for a 15-minute
    noodle in the store, whyncha post a minireview here?
    
    Karl Moeller
359.2DSSDEV::SAUTERJohn SauterThu May 15 1986 18:172
    Yes, please.  From the specs it looks just like a Korg DW-8000.
        John Sauter
359.3STAR::MALIKKarl MalikThu May 15 1986 20:215
    
    	I third the motion.  A multi-timbral sampler?  Sounds too good
    to be true.  Now, if I had four of them....
    
    						- KM1
359.4CANYON::MOELLERmay you never hear Surf music againMon Jun 02 1986 23:038
    
    
    
                              WELL ?
    
    
    
    
359.5Update on synth.SVCRUS::LABAKTue Jun 03 1986 17:024
    I just called Union Music they said it has been shipped and don't
    expect it in for 7-10 days.
                   Same old song and dance!
                                               Rick
359.6Review on ESQ-1??ELGAR::KLOSTERMANStevie KWed Nov 12 1986 12:262
	So, has anyone bought an ESQ-1?  I'd be very interested in opinions,
gripes, praise...
359.7Me tooDYO780::SCHAFERSir Loin of BeefWed Nov 12 1986 14:3114
Re: .6

    I second Stevie's request.  I'm thinking about buying one myself, but
    haven't been able to get any first hand owner's opinions.  I did get to
    play with one a couple weeks ago, though, and boy, was I impressed.
    The difference between this 3 DCO synth and other 2 DCO units is
    amazing.  Only thing it didn't have that I would have liked to have
    seen was after-touch capability.

    Also, has anyone heard whether or not the ESQ-1 will be available
    in rack mountable form?


8^)
359.8ESQ-1 Quick ReviewNIMBUS::DAVISThu Nov 13 1986 12:2049
    One of the guys in my group has had an ESQ-1 for a couple of months
    now and is very happy with it. Lots of features, many that I'm not
    really familiar with since it's not mine, but I'll try to give a
    quick rundown.
    
    3 DCOs (as mentioned in the previous note)
    3 DCAs - one for each DCO
    1 filter and one final DCA
    4(?) EGs with (I think) 5 stage time/level settings
          similar to the Casio envelopes w/o as many stages
    LFOs (can't remember how many)
    
    The basic signal path is each DCO into it's own DCA to the filter
    and then a final DCA. What's most impressive to me (my analog synth
    background is showing again) is the flexibility in assigning the
    different modulators (LFO, EG, vel, others) to any point in the
    path. The DCOs themselves have many (15-20?) sampled or synthesized
    waveforms to chose from. NICE piano sounds here. The programming
    interface is excellent. A large display is surrounded by ten buttons.
    You bring up a "page", basically a menu, and select your patch ,
    parameter, sequence, etc. by touching the buttom above or below
    your choice. If you're selecting a patch parameter, then the data
    slider is attached to it and you can change it via the slider or
    fine tune it with up and down arrow keys that move the value one
    number at a time.
    
    Did I mention the sequencer? A very nice 8 track sequencer that
    was definitely not an after thought. Easy to use and nice features.
    The ESQ is multi-timbral, up to eight different polyphonic sounds
    available through the internal or an external sequencer. We're using
    Dr. T's C-64 sequencer, and for a tune I can select several different
    voices to be played by the C-64, mix the volume levels for each
    voice, and select another voice to be played on the keyboard. Instant
    setup.
    
    Other features? Keyboard splits, nice MIDI implementation (well
    documented), save patches and sequences to your Mirage disk drive
    via MIDI. I think I'm rapidly reaching the end of my knowledge here.
    The hardware seems to be pretty solid, although the first one we
    got had a bad power supply and had to go back. It also seems to
    be sensitive to static, a touch to the metal frame after a stroll
    across the carpet may change a parameter or switch you to a different
    page.
    
    Highly recommended overall, especially for a newcomer to MIDI. The
    combination of synth and sequencer gives you quite a powerful little
    MIDI studio. Add a drum machine (and a reverb, and a delay, ....)
    and your all set.
    
359.9Seemed pretty nice...CLULES::SPEEDDerek Speed, WS Tech MktgThu Nov 13 1986 13:5115
    A friend of mine just  bought an ESQ-1 and I got to play with it
    for about half an hour.
    
    It looked like a nice unit for someone who was starting out with
    synthesizers since it has a "user friendly" programming interface
    and some very good sounds built in.  I thought the piano sound was
    excellent for an instrument with as many other capabilities, although
    it pales in comparison to something like an MKS-20.
    
    One thing I found very lacking was a headphone jack.  This might
    sound like a nit, but I was very frustrated at having to hook up
    an amplifier, etc. just to hear what the thing sounded like.

    Overall, seemed like a nice unit.  I would be interested in seeing
    a rack mount version without the sequencer.
359.10I like it, I like it..MAHLER::KLOSTERMANStevie KThu Nov 13 1986 17:4123
	I scoured the Boylston St Music stores and couldn't find one last night.
On the way home I stopped by a friend's house.  Some of his cronies were jamming
in their basement studio, so we went down to say hi.  And, what do I see, but
somebody playing their brand new...ESQ-1.  Now *that's* fate for ya! 

	For someone who wants to buy only one synth (me), this thing is great.
The user interface is quick and easy to learn, the range of sounds is good. It
was more versatile than my friend's DW-8000 sitting next to it...and the builtin
sequencer does a nice job. 

	Not being a keyboardist or synthesist, I can't really give you a
technical evaluation or comparison with other synths.  Aware of what I'd like
to do with such stuff, however, this is the synth that's come the closest
to convincing me it's time to dive in.

	So, where can you buy these things?  Union Music in Worcester says they
can get them with a moderately long waiting period but doesn't appear to be
willing to bend on list price.  Any other places around the NE area worth
checking out? 

	The guy who owned the one I tried out bought it for...$1100 (!!!!).  He
wasn't at liberty to tell me where he got it.  

359.11hot stuffSAUTER::SAUTERJohn SauterFri Nov 14 1986 10:457
    re: .10--``...wasn't at liberty to tell me where he got it.''
    
    Very interesting.  Quite possibly he bought it off a truck in the
    back streets of Boston.  If he ever needs service he may find himself
    charged with "receiving stolen property".  Tell him to remove the
    serial number, if his "dealer" hasn't removed it already.
        John Sauter
359.12I don't hang around with crooks!CHOPIN::KLOSTERMANStevie KFri Nov 14 1986 12:216
	re:11

	Actually, I got the impression he worked a deal out with 'the store' to
do some work in exchange for a discount.  He's a former repair person at
Wurlitzer's.
359.13unfair both of you.GNERIC::ROSSuntitledFri Nov 14 1986 12:3510
    "Stolen" is an unfair claim.
    So too, tho, is quoting an outrageous (or so) price
    and not telling where you got it. 
    
    LaSalles has (had?) some recently.
    
    To figure out a competative price you have to quiz
    some mail order folks. No matter where you then
    buy it....
    
359.14SAUTER::SAUTERJohn SauterFri Nov 14 1986 15:173
    I didn't claim he stole it, only that he might have
    received stolen property.
        John Sauter
359.15Another rave for ESQNIMBUS::DAVISFri Nov 21 1986 12:0595
This came across the net last night and I thought it might be of interest
to anyone looking to buy a new synth. I don't know about the death of the
DX7 business, but I have yet to hear any negative comments on the ESQ.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Newsgroups: net.music.synth
Path: decwrl!pyramid!amdahl!twg-ap!styx!lll-crg!rutgers!mit-eddie!XEROX.COM!Webster.Henr
Subject: ESQ-1 review (DX-7 fans take note!)
Posted: 19 Nov 86 17:20:10 GMT
Organization: 
 
 
I hear everybody cheering and jumping up and down over the new DX-7, and
I thought I should throw out some info about a new synthesizer which
some people believe just might bring the death of the amazingly
successful and long-lived DX-7.  The synthesizer is the ESQ-1 by Ensoniq
(the same people who brought you the Mirage).  I've heard recent
complaints over the net about the DX's one global LFO, one global pitch
envelope, ect.  How would you like ** THREE ** LFO's PER VOICE and **
FOUR ** envelopes PER VOICE with the ability to modulate anything
(pitch, stereo panning,...)?  Plus the ability to do layers, splits,
layered splits (!), and in fact, assign each of the 8 voices to any
patch independently?   Plus hip little features like pitch bend that can
effect all notes or just those not being sustained by the pedal, LFO's
that rather than always starting at zero-level and during delay time
rising to sustain level (e.g. for delayed vibrato), can start at any
level and change to any other (e.g. start with lots of moduation and go
to nothing--nice for trumpet spits).  Interested?  Read on.
 
Sound Creation Method:
 
The ESQ-1 is basically an analog synthesizer, but before you dismiss it
as "analog is dead," note that what it has for its "oscilators" is a
table of 32 digitized waveforms.  Some of these are traditional saw,
square, pulse, noise, ect., but others were created through additive
synthesise (e.g. all prime harmonics in equal amount) which sound
definately "not analog," and some of the sounds are actually
mutilsampled across the keyboard (!).  These include piano, bass, vocals
(even the FM electric piano for those who can't live without it), and
several formants (certain frequency emphasised throughout the
keyboard--extremely useful for doing acoustic sounds with certain global
resonances like guitar, violin, ect.  Try doing THAT with your DX!).
The results of all this is that when these waveforms are processed using
the filter, LFO's, evelopes, AM, sync, ect, (you have ** three **
independent digital oscillators PER VOICE), you have the ability to
produce warm "analog" sounds AND bright "digital" sounds, AND
sampled-quality acoustic sounds (I realize this sounds like heaven, so
rather than elaborate further, find someone who sells Ensoniq and listen
for yourself)
 
Sequencer:
 
On top of all this, there's is an sequencer.  Not an afterthought, but a
full-blown 8 track with 2,500 note memory (expandable up to 10,000),
with all the features you would expect like quantization,
punch-in/punch-out editing, step editing, copy, merge, ect.  Since all
voices are independent,  you can basically create complete songs (put
kick and simmons drums on one track, bass on another, acoustic piano on
another, add some brass, guitar, rock organ, ...)
 
User Interface:
 
A big surprise.  I've become used to thinking that on any sufficiently
sophisticated machine, if you plan on doing any serious work you'll need
a patch editor, ect.  The ESQ-1 uses a big 80 character LCD display and
is extremely well thought out--after the first 10 or 15 minutes, you'll
problably won't have to refer to the musicians manual, much less think
about needing a more usable interface to run on your MacIntosh.
 
Miscelleous:
 
In the interest of cost, the ESQ-1 doesn't have a disk drive.  However,
it is completely compatible with the Mirage, so if you have the Mirage,
you can download, upload, ect to it's disk drive (a nice way to save
$$$--who wants to buy a separte drive for every synth?)
 
If you want more details, the ESQ-1 is reviewed in Aug (?) '86 Keyboard
magazine.
	
	                             
Summary:
 
I was planning on buying a DX-7 until I bumped into this machine.  It's
sounds, versatility, independent voices, plus a sequencer, basically
convinced me that that someone had actually come up with a synthesizer
that blew the DX away.  (I ended up buying the ESQ-1 and have been very
happy with it, and have gotten some amazed looks when I've performed
with it).  If your thinking of getting a synth (or a another synth),
take a look at this machine.
 
By the way, the price is the clincher-- $1345 ("ouch!" said the DX).
 
Marc 
 
359.16A few other thingsDREGS::BLICKSTEINDaveWed Feb 25 1987 19:1739
    A few more notes on the ESQ-1 (sorry if I'm repeating something
    that has already been said; I've just started reading COMMUSIC and
    am only up to about Mar 86).
    
    1. The ESQ-1 has a BUILTIN feature that allows you to sync up with
       an audio tape dec.  You do this by writing a quasi-click track
       on one channel which the ESQ-1 can read on playback and use to
       synchronize all your MIDI stuff with the analog stuff you have
       on tape.  This is a godsend for people (like me) with 4-tracks.
    
       Advantages:
    
    	    o	No matter how much MIDI stuff you have, you only need
    		one track for it.  This leaves the other three for other
    		purposes. (Better quality, less track bouncing, etc.)
    
    	    o 	You don't even need to record the MIDI stuff until
    		the mastering process.  Obviously, this gives you
    		a much higher quality recording.
    
    2. The ESQ-1 can load and save both program and sequence data to
       audio tape.  You don't need any optional equipment for this other
       the the necessary cord.
    
    It's really a fantastic machine.  Definitely THE choice for a first
    synth, or even your 6th synth.  The ESQ-1 gives you a top-notch
    analog synth (easy to program, and very flexible), a substantial
    sequencer that in conjuntion with the multi-timbral synth can go
    a long way, plus the sampled wave forms give you many of the standard
    sounds you need to have (acoustic piano, electric piano, strings,
    brass, etc.) that are second only to true sampling synths in their
    realism.
    
    I had NO problem justifying the money for this baby.
    
    	db
    
    If you can't afford to spend $1300 or so, I caution you NOT to listen
    to the demos.   The demos will blow you away.
359.17ESQ-1 mania !BARNUM::RENE8 voices enuff ??Wed Feb 25 1987 19:579
    Welcome to the ESQ-1 mania Dave!!
    
    Using the built-in sequencer, and no external midi stuff...
    you have eight, 8-voice-poly, multitimberal digital synths at your
    fingertips.... count'em 8 ESQ-1's......add a mirage digital sampler....
    and ......... um.... oh boy, must get back to work........... !
    8^)
    
    Frank
359.18ESQ-1 as wrecking ball...CTHULU::YERAZUNISVAXstation Repo ManWed Aug 12 1987 18:3217
    I've had my ESQ for about six months now.  
    
    It's truly wonderful.  It has most of the flexibility of a patch-panel
    analog synth, and eight note polyphony at the same time (I think
    the only synth that does more is the Oberheim Matrix-12).
    
    It's the way to go.  
    	
    (problems- it is one HEAVY synth.  Ensoniq is located just outside
    of Pittsburgh.  I surmise that they are staffed by ex-steelworkers.
    The case is welded steel plate.  I (accidentally) whanged the ESQ
    (uncased) into my old apartment's doorjamb.  Doorjamb splintered.
    Don't try for a gig bag on this synth.  Minimum is an aluminum (not fiber!)
    road case like an Calzone Ultima (I bought an Ultima and added ATA
    latches, because I didn't trust the standard ones).
    
    
359.19take a likn' keep on playin'BARNUM::RENENew FrontierFri Aug 14 1987 16:087
    re: -1
            A break in my Ultimate Support stand send mine crashing
    to the floor about 4 feet below. I thought it was all over.
    nope. not a dent and still works like new.
    
    
    Frank_with_extra_support_tier_for_his_keyboard_stand.
359.20Help for ESQ-1 neophyte?UFP::LARUEJeff LaRue - MAA Senior Network ConsultantThu Sep 24 1987 21:5124
    (I'm not sure which note to put this in, so if this is the
    wrong place...please excuse this!)
    
    I'm new to this whole arena of MIDImusic....but am about to
    put up the money to acquire some equipment.
    
    After having basically absorbed the contents of this conference
    and spending much time pestering the local music stores, I've basically
    decided to join the ranks of the Ensoniq ESQ-1 owners.
    
    I do have a (basic) question about the sequencer of the ESQ.....
    there are the 8 programmable tracks that allow all kinds of
    programmability.  My question is, can I program one of the tracks
    with a MIDI channel number so that some outboard midi-capable
    device will respond/play the sequence that is stored in the sequencer?
    (I found an answer in 642.50 that I think says "yes")...but....
    
    Then, if it can, does that reduce the number of tones that the ESQ-1
    itself can play?
    
    (does any of this make sense?)
    
    				-thanks,
    					Jeff
359.21RDGE00::NORTONAndrew Norton, @RYO, 7830-6326Fri Sep 25 1987 08:1922
    
    
    For each of the 8 ESQ tracks you can set the MIDI channel along
    with the source 'instrument' ie a track can play  ESQ voices
    (internal) in which case the midi channel is not used, External
    voices (midi) in which case the sequence is played on an external
    instrument recieving on the midi channel specified, or both internal
    AND external 'instruments'. You can also set up a track to recieve
    its sequence from another midi device. 
    
    The ESQ allocates voices in a dynamic way so allocating a track
    to midi does not lose any ESQ voices. You might have a sequence
    set up that uses piano, bass, strings, brass etc. If one voice is
    playing bass all the time then there's 7 left for the other tracks.
    You could play 7 voices of piano  and then 3 voices of piano and
    4 strings then 2 piano 2 string 3 brass etc. As long as you've got
    a voice left then it can be used to play any timbre you want in
    a dynamic fashion. Does this make any sense ??
    
    Andrew
    
    
359.22Better than some machines...ECADSR::SHERMANIntrinsically lazy ...Fri Sep 25 1987 13:3913
    It appears to be a nicer system for voice allocation than what you
    get with a TX81Z (and probably FB01).  With the TX, you can assign
    8 voices between timbres in a patch.  There is no dynamic assignment.
    To assign a different number of voices to a timbre you have to send
    a patch change.  It only takes a fraction of a second to make the
    change, but the TX goes dead for that fraction of a second, which
    ain't so hot during performance.  I'm playing around with masking
    it by using the reverb and having other instruments play while the
    TX is changing.  I wish Yamaha had put a smoother transistion in.
    It would be okay if you could make a patch change and not have the
    beast die while the change is being made.
    
    Steve
359.23Voluminous: my word for the day.AKOV75::EATONDWithout worship, you shrink.Fri Sep 25 1987 13:5710
RE < Note 359.22 by ECADSR::SHERMAN "Intrinsically lazy ..." >

	The only thing, Steve, with your suggestion is that it appears that
this will be his first MIDI purchase.  With the TX, he'll have to still find
a keyboard or computer to control it.

	I say go with the ESQ-1.  It's a clear winner, in my opinion, when
faced with the voluminous choices of devices available today.

	Dan
359.24^YECADSR::SHERMANIntrinsically lazy ...Fri Sep 25 1987 16:199
    Well, I wasn't really making a recommendation.  It was just that
    the topic about voice assignment came up.  Actually, I was once
    considering getting the ESQ-1, but opted for a TX, CZ, TR-505 and
    QX5 for about the same amount of money...
    
    Steve
    

    BTW - What *is* Hollywood's middle name?
359.25GIBSON::DICKENSDistributed System ManglementFri Sep 25 1987 19:466
    The ESQ's dynamic voice allocation is even neater than you might
    think.  It has something called "Midi overflow mode" where you can
    hook up an ESQ-M (rack mount expander) with the same patches loaded,
    and get an instant 16-voice ESQ that will dynamically allocate first
    the eight internal voices, and then start using the ESQ-M's 8 voices.
    
359.26From a former acquaintance (or is it ...ence?)DYO780::SCHAFERDragons is *so* stupid ...Fri Sep 25 1987 19:506
Hey, Jeff -

   Remember me (from Wright Patt)?  I have an ESQ.  If you wanna talk
   about it, gimme a call at DTN 433-2408. 

brad
359.2716 is not a hard limitCTHULU::YERAZUNISdepleted uranium speaker cabinets?Fri Sep 25 1987 20:535
    See the note in here about how you can daisy-chain multiple ESQ-1's
    in overflow mode.  You are not limited to 16 voice polyphony.
    	
    But it can bite you if you're not careful.
    
359.28UFP::LARUEJeff LaRue - MAA Senior Network ConsultantFri Sep 25 1987 22:3518
    Re: .21+
    
    ...I think I understand what you've been saying.....it sounds like
    I can use all eight tone generators (voices) of the ESQ even if I
    allocate one or more midi channels to a slave unit(s).
    
    In addition to the ESQ-1, I'm also considering the Yamaha FB-01
    as the second synth....I've read all of the notes/replies for that
    device but didn't really find any comparisions of it to other
    similiarly priced/functioned box.  Any ideas/comments?
    
    			-thanks from a Midi-neophyte!
    
    				Jeff
    
    p.s. Brad:  Hi....I didn't even connect your last name with the
    	 node name!  I'd like to talk with you early next week, if
    	 you have some time.....
359.29FB-01 sound generator is not front-panel programmableCTHULU::YERAZUNISdepleted uranium speaker cabinets?Sun Sep 27 1987 02:308
    An FB-01 has a lot of nice sounds- but you can't program it from
    the front panel.  You need either anothr Yamaha DX or a MIDIed computer
    to alter the patches stored in RAM.
    	
    There's a shareware program around that does this nicely, though.
    It's called FB01edit and there's a note 'round here that describes
    it.
    
359.30UFP::LARUEJeff LaRue - MAA Senior Network ConsultantMon Sep 28 1987 14:4110
    Re: .-1
    
    In that case, can I do the programming for a TX-81z from the ESQ-1?
    
    (I'm eventually going to find a computer system to do midi
    mixing/editing as well as conventional notational composition...
    but for now, I'd like to shop around since I haven't found anything
    that fits the requirements.)
    
    				-Jeff
359.31In a nutshell...JAWS::COTESpecial Delivery for Hoops McCann...Mon Sep 28 1987 15:495
    >...can I do the programming for a TX-81z from the ESQ-1?
    
    No, not anymore than you could program a Macintosh using VMS.
    
    Edd                                                          
359.32Hmm. Not a particularly apt analogy.ACORN::BAILEYSteph BaileyMon Sep 28 1987 20:257
    Who says you can't?  Using pre-pre-prefield test MacVMS....  (availible
    just as soon as they get PcVMS debugged).
    
    Why would you want to program a TX81Z from the ESQ-1 if you can
    already do it on the TX81Z?
    
    Steph
359.33MacDEC??JAWS::COTESpecial Delivery for Hoops McCann...Mon Sep 28 1987 21:038
    No No!! Very Nice Analogy...
    
    Somebody has a pre-pre-preanounced hack that converts ESQ-1 sys-ex
    to Fbo1....
    
    :^)
    
    Edd
359.34v2.3UFP::LARUEJeff LaRue - MAA Senior Network ConsultantWed Sep 30 1987 01:1020
    Well...I went out yesterday and joined the ranks of ESQ-1 owners....
    and promptly found out that the unit that I had brought home was
    DOA.  The only thing it would do was make "toy organ" sounds.  None
    of the programming keys or the display worked.
    
    ....to say I was P.O'ed would have been an understatement.
    
    Today, I took the thing back and they gave me a brand new one (no
    questions asked!!)
    
    ...now I'm _much_ happier!!!!
    
    Anyway, the version of software is currently v2.3, the build date
    of my unit is 9-Sept-1987.
    
    If anyone is interested, I'll post the v2.3 "release notes" sheet
    that was packed with the synth.....?

    
    			-Jeff
359.35Yes pleaseRDGE28::NORTONAndrew Norton, @RYO, 7830-6326Wed Sep 30 1987 06:401
    
359.36...reprinted without permission...UFP::LARUEJeff LaRue - MAA Senior Network ConsultantThu Oct 01 1987 00:07148
       		ESQ-1 Software Version 2.3 Update

    The following  revisions have been made to the ESQ-1's software
    between Versions 2.0 and 2.3, which change or supplement what is
    written in the ESQ-1 Musician's Manual (Version 2.0 and lower).

    1) A new control has been added to the MASTER Page (see p. 18 in
    your ESQ-1 Musician's Manual).  This parameter allows you to use
    the optional CVP-1 Control Voltage Foot Pedal as a Modualtor _or_
    as a Volume Pedal.
    
		[]	[x]	[]	[]	[x]
    	.------------------------------------------------.
    	|						 |
    	|  MASTER      TUNE= +00       VELOCITY= SOFT    |
    	|     PEDAL=MOD      BEND-RANGE=02    MODE= ALL  |
    	|						 |
    	`------------------------------------------------'
    		[x]	[]	[]	[x]	[x]
    
    PEDAL -- Foot Pedal Function Select
    	The setting of this parameter determines whether a CVP-1 Foot
    	Pedal plugged into the PEDAL/CV jack in the ESQ-1's rear panel
    	will act as a Modulator (varying the "Manual" level wherever
    	PEDAL is selected as a Modulation source) or as a Volume Pedal
    	(changing the volume of the "straight synth" or any selected
    	Track).  Note that this only affects a Pedal plugged into the
    	ESQ-1 itself.  The setting of this control has no effect what-
    	ever on incoming MIDI Foot Pedal (controller #4) or Volume 
    	(controller #7)information.  There are two possible states:
    
    --> PEDAL=MOD -- This is the default value.  When PEDAL=MOD, the
    	Foot Pedal will act as a Modulator in the Voice section of the
    	ESQ-1 and will have an effect on the sound when PEDAL is selected
    	as a Modulator and assigned a modulation depth other then zero.
    	When PEDAL=MOD, moving the Pedal will send MIDI Foot Pedal
    	(controller #4) messages out MIDI.
    
    --> PEDAL=VOL -- When PEDAL=VOL the Foot Pedal will adjust the volume
    	of the ESQ-1.  When no sequencer Track is selected, moving the
    	Pedal will raise or lower the volume of the "Straight Synth".
    	When a Track is selected, moving the Pedal will have the same
    	effect as adjusting MIX Level on the MIX/MIDI Page.  Only the
    	"Straight Synth" _or_ one sequencer Track will be affected --
    	only one Track's volume can be adjusted at a time (though the
    	Pedal will be recorded if it is moved while recording a Track).
    	When PEDAL=VOL, moving the Pedal will send MIDI Volume (controller
    	#7) messages out MIDI.
    
    The ESQ-1 sequencer will record and play back Foot Pedal information.
    However, when the sequence is played back any Foot Pedal information
    in the Tracks will be interpreted _either_ as modulator or as volume
    information depending on the setting of this control at the time
    of playback.  If a Track is recorded with this parameter set one
    way, and then played back with it set the other way, you will not
    get the desired result.
    
    IMPORTANT NOTE: If you don't have a CV Pedal plugged into the ESQ-1,
    you should NOT leave this parameter set to PEDAL=VOL when you turn
    the unit off.  If you do, the next time you power it up, the ESQ-1
    will set the "straight synth" volume to zero -- it won't make any
    sound.  To get the volume back to normal, just go to the MASTER
    Page, select this parameter and set it to PEDAL=MOD.
    
    2) When you send Sequencer data via MIDI in the ESQ format (SEQ
    TO ESQ-1 on the STORAGE Page; see pp. 182-184 in the ESQ-1 Musician's
    Manual), the data _will_ be sent, followed by the message "DATA
    TRANSMITTED - CHECK RECEIVER", even if there is no response from
    the receiving unit.  This allows sending Sequencer data to non-ESQ
    systems such as MIDI disc drives, etc.
    
    3) When MIDI Overflow Mode is _on_ the ESQ-1 will echo all inbound
    MIDI Program Changes and controllers at its MIDI Out jack.  Also,
    when Overflow is on, Tracks with LOCAL status will send Program
    and Volume changes out via MIDI when a sequence is selcted or comes
    around as a step ni a Song.
    
    4)  When the memory of the ESQ-1 is re-initialized (by holding down
    _Record_ and pressing the upper-left-hand "Soft Button", then answering
    "YES") the 40 original factory sounds will automatically be loaded
    into the ESQ-1's Internal Program Memory, as part of the re-
    initialization process.  Note that re-initializing erases the sequencer
    memory and replaces any Programs that were in the Internal memory
    at the time.
    
    5) Addendum to the ESQ-1 MIDI Specification (see Appendix 2 in the
    ESQ-1 Musician's Manual).  Please note that these additions pertain
    to software release 2.1 and higher only.
    
    2.5.1 Compare Button Status Message
    -----------------------------------
    This message is now both sent and received by the ESQ-1.  It is
    sent whenever the Compare status of the ESQ-1 is changed by pressing
    the Compare button.  The same message format is recognized when
    it is received from another ESQ product if recognition of system
    exclusive messages is enabled (MIDI ENABLE=KEYS+CT+PC+SS+SX).
    
    	xxxxxxxx		ESQ System Exclusive header
    	00010000		Compare Status Command code
    	0000000n		Status of the Compare button
    				n=1, Compare On
    				n=0, Compare Off
    	11110111		End of exclusive
    
    2.7.1 Device Inquiry Message
    ----------------------------
    The ESQ-1 now supports the MIDI Device Inquiry message which allows
    instruments and computers to ascertain the identity of the unit(s)
    to which they are connected.  The ESQ-1 will respond to the following
    Device Inquiry Message with the Device ID Message detailed below.
    The ESQ-1 will respond to the inquiry if the channel information
    in the message contains either the base MIDI channel number of the
    ESQ-1 or the all channel broadcast code ($7F).

    	11110000		System Exclusive status byte
    	01111110		Non real time message
    	0000nnnn		nnnn=MIDI Channel number
    	   or
    	01111111		All channel broadcast code
    	00000110		General Information message code
    	00000001		Device Inquiry Message message code
    	11111110		End of Exclusive
    
    2.7.2 Device ID Message
    -----------------------
    When the ESQ-1 receives a correctly formatted MIDI Device Inquiry
    message it will respond with the following Device ID Message.  This
    message follows the MMA recommendations for device ID messages,
    and contains information about the responding device including
    manufacturer, product family and software revision.
    
    	11110000		System Exclusive Status byte
    	01111110		Non real time message
    	0000nnnn		nnnn=Base MIDI Channel
    	00000110		General Information message code
    	00000010		Device ID Message code
    	00001111		ENSONIQ System Exclusive manufacturer's
    				code
    	00000010		ESQ Product Family code (lsb)
    	00000000		ESQ Product Family code (msb)
    	00000001		ESQ-1 Family Member code (lsb)
    	00000000		ESQ-1 Family Member code (msb)
    	00000000		Software revision information
    	00000000
    	0nnnnnnn		Major Version number (integer portion)
    	0nnnnnnn		Minor version number (decimal portion)
    	11111110		End of Exclusive