Year/Release Date: June 17, 2026
Version: 1.0.2.86
Developer: Cherry Audio
Developer’s Website: https://cherryaudio.com/products/esq-1-synthesizer
Format: STANDALONE, VSTi, VSTi3, AAX
Bit Depth: 64-bit
Tablet: Cleaned, TEAM R2R System v1.5.0
System Requirements: Windows 7
- 214.2 MB
Description:
The Ensoniq ESQ-1 from Cherry Audio is an iconic virtual synthesizer that captures the essence and iconic sound of the classic ESQ-1 hybrid digital/analog synthesizer, perfectly timed to celebrate its 40th anniversary. This plugin uses the original 32 waveforms, allowing it to accurately reproduce the complex, evolving, and richly textured sounds of the 1986 ESQ-1 in software form. It also boasts advanced features designed for modern musicians and producers. Its elegant design includes extensive modulation capabilities, rhythmic pattern generation, and enhanced performance capabilities with polyphonic aftertouch and MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). The Ensoniq ESQ-1 also includes a library of over 400 outstanding presets, including the original factory presets from the hardware, highlighting the best of both classic and brand-new sounds.
Ensoniq ESQ-1 Features: Accurate emulation of the sounds and functionality of the original Ensoniq ESQ-1 hybrid digital/analog synthesizer, released in 1986.
Developed by Cherry Audio with extensive circuit and behavior modeling techniques to ensure unrivaled accuracy and exclusive compatibility with the original hardware.
Expertly designed and rendered user interface, organized into five context-sensitive sections: Play, Edit, Modulation, Envelopes, and Sequencer.
Three digital oscillators per voice, individually animated within the interface.
Uses the original 32 ESQ-1 waveforms, licensed from Creative Technology, in four categories: Basic and Noise, Samples, Additive/Formant, and Band Limited.
Oscillator sync and amplitude modulation (AM) options for additional rich harmonics and aggressive, metallic, and bell-shaped timbres.
Voice modes: Mono Legato and Mono Retrig (with note priority), Unison, Polyphonic, and MPE, with detune, portamento, and glissando modes.
Highly optimized, large-scale stereo, dual-layer vocal architecture with up to 32 polyphonic voices per layer. Split Layer and Keyboard Layer modes allow two layers to be used simultaneously, with separate controls for all parameters, including synthesis, modulation, patterns, and effects.
Accurate modeling of the Curtis CEM3379 analog resonant low-pass filter (4-pole 24 dB/oct), expanded with 2-pole low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass options.
Three LFOs per layer, each with tempo sync, reset, and human timing options, delay, and 18 possible modulation destinations.
Four independent multi-stage (four levels, four speeds) envelopes with velocity steps, visualized with click-and-drag knobs.
Exceptionally extensive modulation matrix with four slots with macros and simple assignment functionality: 41 sources (with MPE options) and 85 destinations, including an integrated arpeggiator, sequencer, and effects. ESQ-1
Enhanced expressive performance capabilities with compatible MIDI controllers via channel aftertouch, polyphonic aftertouch, and a new, more flexible MPE system
Independent layered arpeggiators with four pattern modes—Arp, Leap, Order, Random—with swing, chance, and feel for adding degrees of randomness to patterns
Syncable and layer-transposable 16×4 polyphonic step sequencers for notes and modulations, with four independently assignable macro movements and 33 presets, humanizing options, with precise beat and step sync
Over 360 professionally designed presets in 15 categories, including MPE-specific presets
Also includes 40 original ESQ-1 hardware presets
SysEx compatibility with original hardware: import individual patches and patch banks using Drag and drop from ESQ-1 SysEx files or directly via MIDI from the hardware
Export SysEx patch files from software compatible with the original hardware
Award-winning Cherry Audio effects system with three independent, customizable effects chains: one for each layer plus the global layer, and a separate effects modulator for each layer
20 studio-quality effects that can be arranged, saved, and recalled in their own effects chains, interchangeable with other Cherry Audio synthesizers:
BBD Flanger, Compressor, Digital Delay, Digital Reverb, Distortion and EQ, Dual Delay, Dual Ensemble, Dual Phaser, Envelope Filter, Flanger & Chorus, Galactic Reverb, Lo-Fi, Lushverb, Ring Modulator, Sevenband EQ, Spring Reverb, and Tape Echo New to the Mercury-8 are DCO Chorus, Panner, and Pulser.
A mini-interface for effects control with on/off, solo, bipolar modulator amount slider, and dry/wet mix for each effect. Global effects include on/off, leveling, and stereo widening.
Separate virtual instruments and plug-ins are included.
User-adjustable oversampling control.
Full MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls with easy-to-use MIDI learn and mapping (preset and global).
Cherry Audio’s popular Focus zoom feature, as well as standard zooming and UI resizing via drag and drop.
Full documentation is available directly online from the instrument or as a PDF download.
