ensoniq esq-1 sequencing via lfo's & square waves?

master_yojimbo · 28th August 2011

I stumbled upon this video recently which showed how to "sequence" by routing lfo's to seperate oscillator functions, and by using square waves as an "on/off" switch to create arpeggios and such. The end result sounded pretty rad, and I understand the fundamentals of it, but I am confused on how to route the lfo's to different things on the keyboard itself. Does anybody have any experience with this? Or perhaps you could watch the video and help me with some step by step instructions perhaps? Apperantly it's possible to use this concept with many old synthesizers so maybe you'll learn something too! I'm aiming for a kraftwerkesque type of feel with this keyboard and I know it's completely capable I'm just struggling with the interface of this thing..I read the manual and I wasn't able to find any information on what I'm trying to do.

Here is the link to the video

Feature: Using LFOs to Sequence on an ESQ1 @ SonicState.com

acreil · 28th August 2011

You're just routing the LFOs to oscillator pitches and levels, that's it.

L-feld · 28th August 2011

The William Horne is a wise man.

jbuonacc · 29th August 2011

you won't find anything in the manual about this, other than the basic functionality of the LFOs. this could be considered 'advanced' use of LFOs, i guess.

i tried this a couple years ago when i bought another ESQ, because i was pretty excited about it when i first saw that same video. it's an interesting exercise for sure, but in the end i didn't find the results to be too worthwhile. it's also not quite as straightforward as it seems to be in the video. the basic concept, yes, but i remember it took some fiddling with other parameters to make the best of it. also, it's more like simple programmable arpeggiation than it is sequencing.

honestly, i think you're better off using another sequencer (external or the internal one in the ESQ) to do this sort of thing and use the LFOs for better things.

enossified · 29th August 2011

It's easy enough to step sequence on the ESQ-1: record an "empty" sequence (i.e. no notes) then go into the editor and use the step editing to enter your notes.

PapiBlack · 29th August 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by enossified

It's easy enough to step sequence on the ESQ-1: record an "empty" sequence (i.e. no notes) then go into the editor and use the step editing to enter your notes.

This

Also, the LFO trick is great. I'm working on something based around it.

master_yojimbo · 13th September 2011

thanks guys, i guess it's about time i get into using the internal sequencer on this relic anyway

.

Juno6 · 14th September 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by L-feld

The William Horne is a wise man.

Not, he´s not. This is an old trick, it was published on Transoniq Hacker in the eighties, specifically for the ESQ. William should mention that, otherwise people may think he´s a brillant synth programmer.tutt

28th August 2011	#1
master_yojimbo Gear interested Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 12 Thread Starter	ensoniq esq-1 sequencing via lfo's & square waves? I stumbled upon this video recently which showed how to "sequence" by routing lfo's to seperate oscillator functions, and by using square waves as an "on/off" switch to create arpeggios and such. The end result sounded pretty rad, and I understand the fundamentals of it, but I am confused on how to route the lfo's to different things on the keyboard itself. Does anybody have any experience with this? Or perhaps you could watch the video and help me with some step by step instructions perhaps? Apperantly it's possible to use this concept with many old synthesizers so maybe you'll learn something too! I'm aiming for a kraftwerkesque type of feel with this keyboard and I know it's completely capable I'm just struggling with the interface of this thing..I read the manual and I wasn't able to find any information on what I'm trying to do. Here is the link to the video Feature: Using LFOs to Sequence on an ESQ1 @ SonicState.com

29th August 2011	#4
jbuonacc Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,101	you won't find anything in the manual about this, other than the basic functionality of the LFOs. this could be considered 'advanced' use of LFOs, i guess. i tried this a couple years ago when i bought another ESQ, because i was pretty excited about it when i first saw that same video. it's an interesting exercise for sure, but in the end i didn't find the results to be too worthwhile. it's also not quite as straightforward as it seems to be in the video. the basic concept, yes, but i remember it took some fiddling with other parameters to make the best of it. also, it's more like simple programmable arpeggiation than it is sequencing. honestly, i think you're better off using another sequencer (external or the internal one in the ESQ) to do this sort of thing and use the LFOs for better things. __________________ output:noise

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28th August 2011	#2
acreil Lives for gear Joined: May 2010 Posts: 723	You're just routing the LFOs to oscillator pitches and levels, that's it.

28th August 2011	#3
L-feld Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 728	The William Horne is a wise man.

29th August 2011	#5
enossified Gear addict Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 441	It's easy enough to step sequence on the ESQ-1: record an "empty" sequence (i.e. no notes) then go into the editor and use the step editing to enter your notes.

13th September 2011	#7
master_yojimbo Gear interested Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 12 Thread Starter	thanks guys, i guess it's about time i get into using the internal sequencer on this relic anyway .