Ensoniq ESQ-1?

Question

Firstly, I'm blown away by this program.  I just got it set up with my alpha juno last night and I can't say enough good things.

I'm considering buying an Ensoniq ESQ-1, and everything I've read seems to say that these don't play nice with 3rd party controllers.  Just wondering if anyone has tried implementing Midi Designer with this synth and failed/triumphed?

thanks!
 

-Will

Comments

Thanks for the request. If you're interested in getting started yourself (usually by controlling one parameter, or a few, and then continuing from there) we'd be glad to help.

Thanks for using MIDI Designer!
Dan

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If you want, please cite specific places where they say it doesn't play nicely with external midi controllers. We'd be glad to examine the evidence. Thanks!

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http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/807163-midi-controller-esq-1-live-adjusting-osc-lfo-params.html

I still haven't sat down to try to program myself,  but it doesn't look like anyone has tried yet?

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I have an ESQ-1...it sounds great and would definitely recommend buying one.  As far as programming it via MIDI Designer, I've gotten as far as the mod and pitch wheels but can't seem to figure out how to code the rest of it haha.  Diving through the menu on the ESQ-1 is fairly straightforward, but I can't figure out how that translates to programming a MD layout as I'm not familiar with SysEx and can't seem to get Logic X or any program like Midi Monitor to give me an easily transferrable midi message.

I'd love if anybody else has a layout for this, but I have a feeling that getting layout solutions for my ESQ-1, Yamaha DX7, and Roland D-50 will all be tricky self-handled projects.

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hey James - I picked up an ESQ-1 and LOVE it.  the menus aren't as difficult to navigate as everyone seems to say, but it would be pretty amazing to have an easier way to change parameters.  Not sure I'm the right person to tackle programming the layout, but I might give it a shot.  

I guess if anyone figures it out, I'd be curious to hear about it.

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Agreed, any basic understanding of synthesis easily gets you through the on-board menu, but I can't seem to be able to read the clear midi code for each function in order to successfully program a MD layout...still not having any luck. I think I'll continue using the on-board menu for now, and revisit layout design at a different date.

Agreed, I'd be really interested to see if any layouts pop up at some point.

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Thanks for this conversation, people. We'd love to help you out to get the midi code to work for one or a few functions, until you can either go ahead on your own. These comment threads are fun, but it's much more efficient to hit us up via Config -> Actions -> Email Us.

I answer most questions personally, even at 4am from the dance floor ;) True story.

Thanks!
Dan

Answer 1

Hey fellas,

I've put together a layout for the ESQ1 and SQ80.  I'm using it on the SQ80 but I need someone to test it for me on the ESQ1.  Let me know what you think. Any feedback you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks,

Andy

http://mididesigner.com/qa/4588/layout-ensoniq-sq80-esq1

 

http://mididesigner.com/qa/?qa=blob&qa_blobid=4437495403266083610

Answer 2

Hey fellas,

I've put together a layout for the ESQ1 and SQ80.  I'm using it on the SQ80 but I need someone to test it for me on the ESQ1.  Let me know what you think. Any feedback you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks,

Andy

http://mididesigner.com/qa/4588/layout-ensoniq-sq80-esq1

 

http://mididesigner.com/qa/?qa=blob&qa_blobid=4437495403266083610