SQ-01 — ESQ-1 Synthesizer Ableton Live Instrument

The Ensoniq ESQ-1, a hybrid digital-analog synthesizer from 1986, is renowned for its fat, warm tones and versatile sound design capabilities. It has three 8-bit digital oscillators capable of generating various waveforms, providing rich harmonics and distinct sonic textures. Paired with the analog filter, the ESQ-1 allows for a wide range of sound possibilities, from lush pads, to cutting leads. With SQ-01, we set out to bring the lo-fi character and sound capabilities of the ESQ-1 to Ableton Live. SQ-01 features waveforms from the ESQ-1, with all 61 keys sampled across five octaves for each of the five classic waveforms, and two keys per octave for the three noise waveforms. It also includes an ESQ-1 style 24dB/oct resonant filter, with envelope and LFO modulation. To further shape the sound, SQ-01 comes with a range of effects: Drive, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, and Analog, which introduces randomness and instability found in vintage analog synths. We’ve integrated all these features int