What're we thinking about this one?

From the website:

Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio is a landmark virtual synthesizer that captures the essence and iconic sounds of the classic ESQ-1 polyphonic hybrid digital/analog synthesizer, perfectly timed for celebration of its 40th anniversary. This plug-in features the original 32 waveforms, allowing it to faithfully recreate the complex, evolving, and richly textured sounds of the 1986 ESQ-1 in software form. Additionally, it comes with advanced features designed for today's musicians and producers. Its elegant design incorporates extensive modulation options, rhythmic pattern generation, and enhanced performance capabilities through polyphonic aftertouch and MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). Ensoniq ESQ-1 also features a library of over 400 exceptional presets, including the original factory presets from the hardware, highlighting the best of both classic and all-new sounds.



In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Cherry Audio partnered with Creative Technology, the current owner of the Ensoniq intellectual property, to obtain official licensing for the original 32 ESQ-1 waveforms for this release. Equally important, we meticulously emulated the sonic signature and behavior of the original hardware's legendary analog filters provided by the renowned CEM3379 IC. We also precisely recreated its four DCAs, four independent multistage envelopes, three LFOs, amplitude modulation, oscillator sync, and expanded its modulation system. Its accuracy is such that the ESQ-1 software supports drag-and-drop import of individual patches and patch banks from ESQ-1 SysEx files, or directly via MIDI from the hardware. Additionally, the software can export SysEx patch files that are compatible with the original hardware.

link to page

 

It looks beautiful - better than the original. I had one for about 3 months one summer - between school terms. I was coming off the DX-7. The whole concept and on board sequencer were appealing to me, so I bought one.

I tried to dig deep and make some music with it. It was, or rather it sounded godawful - not a pretty or usable sound on it.

I traded it in three months later, the day the Roland D-50 came out. I never want to hear an ESQ-1 again.

That said, this virtual emulation looks really nice - well done Cherry Audio Graphics person(s).

 

Great!
The GUI looks as dark and brittle as it sounded raw.

I owned an SQ-80... more baked in waves, poly-AT etc.

Here's an excellent [FREE] SQ-80 emulation VST.
- it's raw (no FX like the Charry Audio eco-verse):
http://www.buchty.net/ensoniq/index.html#sq8l