Ensoniq ESQ-1 VPC-1 CART A Resampled and Rebooted

ESQ-1 Cassette Patches Demos (Int V2.0)

The original cassette demo I loaded into my Ensoniq ESQ-1's sequencer after a 28 year break. This cassette was purchased with the synthesizer way back in July 1987. It was written by Doug Nestler. https://soundcloud.com/douglasnestler

Note that what you hear is the ESQ-1 actually physically playing the original factory voices “live” (also loaded in from the same cassette tape) in January 2015 via its on board 8 track sequencer – the audio was captured directly into a Saffire 6 USB Audio Interface from the ESQ-1’s stereo audio outputs, recorded  using Reason (7.1). A PCM Wave file was rendered of the finished recording, which was then converted into an MP3 using Goldwave.

In 1987 this was pretty sensational, as it was the first time you could hear so many different voices being played at the same time from one unit.

The demo sequences come backed up on an audio cassette and you load the sounds and sequences from the cassette into the synth. I loaded it up last night having not heard it for nearly thirty years. It's amazing it still works. Enjoy! 

The Classic ESQ-1 patches used: BASS 1.0, PLKBRS, MIAMIW, KICK, KICK+SIMS, REED, PIANO1, MRIMBA, 3TRUMS, BOTTLS, BNDBEL, 2 COOL, WAVBEL and SYNLED.

Recorded into Reason 7.1 and converted to mp3.

ESQ-1 is a discontinued product of Ensoniq Corporation. Rights remain property of all respective holders.

ESQ - 1 Cassette Demo Song (FREE DOWNLOAD)

A sample of the first ten presets from VPC-1 CART A

41 TPIANO 
42 BEGONE 
43 HRNSEC 
44 STRBAS 
45 KICK 2 
46 PNOSTR 
47 SING6 
48 KIEV
49 ICEPOP 
50 SEGULS 

(The same sounds used as those in The Goldberg Variations piece)

Available for Kontakt & sfz
Check out the sample packs at https://neilpaddock.gumroad.com/

ESQ-1 VPC-1A Sound Demo 1

A sample of the next ten presets from VPC-1 CART A

51 MCROAD 
52 PORGN2 
53 5OFSWE 
54 VOXBAS 
55 HI HAT 
56 STRNG2 
57 SAPRNO 
58 FRIDAY 
59 PECKBD 
60 LANDNG 

Available for Kontakt & sfz
at https:\\neilpaddock.gumroad.com

ESQ-1 VPC-1A Sound Demo 2

A sample of the next ten presets from VPC-1 CART A

61 MTLPNO
62 "MACH"
63 NOISE2
64 METBAS
65 MUSCBX
66 STRSEC
67 AHHHHS
68 GLDBEL
69 ROOM 1
70 DRIP 1

Available for Kontakt, sfz and Reason at 
https://neilpaddock.gumroad.com/

ESQ-1 VPC-1A Sound Demo 3

A sample of the last ten presets from VPC-1 CART A

71 JBELL5
72 NOSPLT
73 PNOBRS
74 BELBAS
75 MEIMBO
76 SQRSTR
77 UMMA
78 STARS2
79 TMPBEL
80 COPTER

Available for Kontakt, sfz and Reason at
https://neilpaddock.gumroad.com/

ESQ-1 VPC-1A Sound Demo 4

Variatio 2 a 1 Clav - From The Goldberg Variations (BWV 988)
By Johann Sebastian Bach
Sequenced by David J. Grossman · ©1997
Adapted for ESQ-1 By Neil Paddock
Used with the midi author's kind permission

Another Bach Goldberg Variations Midi Demo to showcase the sounds from the re-sampled ESQ-1 VPC-1A Cartridge (Patches 11-20) and to showcase the sequencing skills of Dave Grossman and the works of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Here are the voices used:
11) MCROAD (Rhodes Piano)
12) PORGN2 (Organ)
13) 5OFSWE (Strings)
14) VOXBAS (Voice Bass)
15) HI HAT (Percussion)
16) STRNG2 (Strings)
17) SAPRNO (Voice)
18) FRIDAY (Keyboard/Piano)
19) PECKBD (Percussive Keyboard)
20) LANDNG (Special FX - Alien Spaceship landing)

Actually, the alien landing didn't make it into the demo.
You can hear that here:
https://soundcloud.com/neilpaddock/esq-1-vpc-1a-sound-demo-2

There's nearly 4 minutes worth in this piece, as I cycle through the patches, alternating voices to play each of the 3 parts. I repeated it a few times for good measure (no pun intended).

For me it gets good towards the end when the strings and bass come in. There's 7 voices playing at that point.

So why not grab yourself some FREE classic 80's Retro synthesized/programmed pianos, organs and sound effects with this Reboot - Reformatted for use with Kontakt and SFZ compatible samplers - such as Dimension Pro, Rapture and the Free Alchemy Player. A Reason Version of all 40 patches is now available here:
https://neilpaddock.selz.com/item/5554c28db79872006c586fe8

Here's the link to the free patches:
https://neilpaddock.selz.com/item/55238029b79872135cfae92d

Variatio 2 A 1 Clav (BWV 988) By J S Bach [ESQ - 1 Demo]

A Sound Demo for the ESQ-1 Internal Banks [Int Banks V2.0] re-sampled by Neil Paddock of http://www.howtoprogramdrums.com/

The first ten patches of the complete 40 patch set (in the same order as the original ESQ-1 Bank 1) are: 

BANK 1 (Patches 01-10)

01 PIANO 1 - Bright Piano
02 MRIMBA - Marimba
03 HORN3T - bright synthy horn section
04 BO STR - Excellent orchestral string sound
05 DIGPNO - Thicker sounding electric / digital piano
06 WAVBEL - Bell - makes a surprisingly good lead
07 ORGAN - Sounds like a Hammond B3 organ
08 ANABRS - Essential synth brass - a classic patch
09 VELBAS - Classic digital slap bass - totally awesome!
10 'AIR' - Classic 80's synth choir sound

Catch up with all the latest ESQ-1 patch sets for Kontakt, sfz compatible samplers and Reason here:

https://neilpaddock.selz.com/categories/synth---ensoniq-esq-1

The Kontakt/sfz pack containing eleven patches from Int V2.0 can be downloaded for FREE from Bedroom Producers Blog.

http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2015/02/11/free-ensoniq-esq-1-cassette-sample-pack-neil-paddock-part-1/

ESQ-1 Patches Demo Int V2.0 (01 - 10)

A Sound Demo for the ESQ-1 Internal Banks [Int Banks V2.0] re-sampled by Neil Paddock of howtoprogramdrums.com

BANK 2 (Patches 11-20)

11 BOTTLS - bright bell type sound
12 ORCBEL- realistic orchestral bell
13 REED - synthesized saxophone - interesting!
14 2 COOL- Cool, flutey sound
15 BNDBEL - Like it suggests, a 'bendy' bell sound
16 BASS 1.0 - A nice fruity bass guitar sound
17 BASIC - A very basic synth sound
18 GONG 1 - an expressive and explosive gong
19 ANSYN1 - Synth string sound, nice with arpeggiator
20 "EOWW" - An aggressive lead sound

Catch up with all the latest ESQ-1 patch sets for Kontakt, sfz compatible samplers and Reason here:

https://neilpaddock.selz.com/categories/synth---ensoniq-esq-1

ESQ-1 Patches Demo Int V2.0 (11 - 20)

A Sound Demo for the ESQ-1 Internal Banks [Int Banks V2.0] re-sampled by Neil Paddock of howtoprogramdrums.com

This is BANK 3 - as per our Reason Refill's Demo Song 3.

BANK 3 (Patches 21-30)

21 PIANO 2 - Thicker Piano
22 ELEPNO - A warm and bright electric piano
23 SYNLED - Essential monophonic lead, arpeggiator sound - a total classic!
24 PLKBRS - Nice synth brass for bass and arpeggiator
25 ISLAND - Carribean drums
26 ICYORG - Fairground organ
27 3TRUMS - Standard Synth Brass Section
28 FUZGTR - a reedy sound -
29 CELLOS - More strings - a little deeper - nice with arpeggiator
30 TEETH - A punchy piano

Catch up with all the latest ESQ-1 patch sets for Kontakt, sfz compatible samplers and Reason here:

https://neilpaddock.selz.com/categories/synth---ensoniq-esq-1

ESQ-1 Patches Demo Int V2.0 (21 - 30)

A Sound Demo for the ESQ-1 Internal Banks [Int Banks V2.0] re-sampled by Neil Paddock of howtoprogramdrums.com

NB. The order of these patches corresponds to the Reason REFILL only, and not the Kontakt/sfz patch sets.

This is BANK 4

BANK 4 (Patches 31-40)

31 TRIAGL - Light flutey solo sound (makes a good monophonic lead)
32 MIAMIW - Another great arpeggiator synth sound (like Jan Hammer's Miami Vice)
33 AFTGLO - A dreamy bell sound
34 PNOSTR - Blended piano and strings - great with reverb
35 KALMBA - Kalimba
36 BL PNO - Superb bright DX7 style electric piano
37 GOBELL - a bright metallic bell sound
38 4XFADE - Dreamy bells
39 KICK - Simmons Electronic Drums
40 K+SIMS - Simmons Electronic Drums

Catch up with all the latest ESQ-1 patch sets for Kontakt, sfz compatible samplers and Reason here:

https://neilpaddock.selz.com/categories/synth---ensoniq-esq-1

Note: these patches are available in a different order for Kontakt and sfz compatible samplers in 3 different Parts. Please refer to the individual descriptions at the link above to see exactly what you are downloading. Thank you.

ESQ-1 Patches Demo Int V2.0 (31 - 40)

Neil Paddock is a multi instrumentalist and songwriter. 

Selz stuff is on (neilpaddock.gumroad.com) now.