Ensoniq SD-1 VST

[C-note]

I would like to see Softube or some other dev do the best hardware workstation from 1990 maybe all time - the Ensoniq SD-1. 16 bit, 21 sequencer tracks, wavetable, polyphonic aftertouch with 4 variation selectable layered sounds, easy midi control of external sound devices, project manager, great midi note editor and more.

[martiu]

ok

[Watchful]

I would like to see Softube or some other dev do the best hardware workstation from 1990 maybe all time - the Ensoniq SD-1. 16 bit, 21 sequencer tracks, wavetable, polyphonic aftertouch with 4 variation selectable layered sounds, easy midi control of external sound devices, project manager, great midi note editor and more.

Me, too, because you'd also get a VFX and VFX-SD with that, as well. But my understanding is that the ownership of the rights is a little fuzzy, and no one's too excited to solve that issue. It will likely be a very long time before this happens, but who knows: Arturia has at least one Ensoniq plugin, so it's possible.

[stoopicus]

I can vouch for SQ-80V - it not only sounds exactly like my old ESQ-1, it loads both the factory and aftermarket SYSEX files just fine too. It's utterly great, probably the best thing in V Collection (if you like the Ensoniq style anyway), and so close that if there were in fact any rights issues then Arturia was able to clean them up at minimum.

I would suspect that any rights issues would stem from the wavetable samples themselves? Is that the concern?

And yeah, having a VFX emu would be super cool.

[C-note]

I used the VFX-SD using a Syncman by Midiman to connect my VFX-SD, TSR-8 and Sony 2500 dat for my first Capitol album. Set up tracks to trigger the Emu Proteus 1 and 2 for each song. Worked great.

[Scotty]

A whole push for the Ensoniq catalog would make me happy. A Fizmo was posted on EBay for over $5000 USD. My DP/4 will die one day , my EPS has already bitten the dust. Bring em' on.

[IvyBirds]

I would suspect that any rights issues would stem from the wavetable samples themselves? Is that the concern?

You can't copyright single cycle waveforms, so there is no copyright issues with the SQ80 or the Prophet VS as it's just single cycle waveforms

[zerocrossing]

I would suspect that any rights issues would stem from the wavetable samples themselves? Is that the concern?

You can't copyright single cycle waveforms, so there is no copyright issues with the SQ80 or the Prophet VS as it's just single cycle waveforms

But it is not just single cycle waveforms. The SQ-80 V also has a bunch of Transwaves, unlike the original.

[VitaminD]

A whole push for the Ensoniq catalog would make me happy. A Fizmo was posted on EBay for over $5000 USD. My DP/4 will die one day , my EPS has already bitten the dust. Bring em' on.

I remember when music stores were blowing those Fizmos out at cut rate prices. I want to say 400 USD. They must have really sold slowly. It looked cool but I could only buy one thing at the time and I wanted a bass. So I got the bass (and still own it).

[stoopicus]

I would suspect that any rights issues would stem from the wavetable samples themselves? Is that the concern?

You can't copyright single cycle waveforms, so there is no copyright issues with the SQ80 or the Prophet VS as it's just single cycle waveforms

But it is not just single cycle waveforms. The SQ-80 V also has a bunch of Transwaves, unlike the original.

Right - it's not a full VFX of course but it *does* include specifically a bunch of the original VFX Transwaves, which is the only part that I can picture being a copyright issue/licensing at this point.

(Unlike, say, Korg with the M1.)

My guess is that although the VFX was undeniably a "better" synth than the ESQ-1/SQ-80, the latter are simply iconic, especially in some genres, electroindustrial being a notable one.

[zerocrossing]

I would suspect that any rights issues would stem from the wavetable samples themselves? Is that the concern?

You can't copyright single cycle waveforms, so there is no copyright issues with the SQ80 or the Prophet VS as it's just single cycle waveforms

But it is not just single cycle waveforms. The SQ-80 V also has a bunch of Transwaves, unlike the original.

Right - it's not a full VFX of course but it *does* include specifically a bunch of the original VFX Transwaves, which is the only part that I can picture being a copyright issue/licensing at this point.

(Unlike, say, Korg with the M1.)

Yeah, at this point, the only thing stopping us from getting a FIZMO emulation is that the interest in it is me and 47 other dudes, who really really really want it, and everyone else who’s like, “what, is that 90s energy drink?”

[stoopicus]

Yeah I just edited my post with a similar theory.

[IvyBirds]

But it is not just single cycle waveforms. The SQ-80 V also has a bunch of Transwaves, unlike the original.

But the trans waves are just sets of single cycle waveforms that can be swept through

It's basically a different take on a Wavetable which can't be copyrighted either, hence the reason the PPG Wavetables are in many different products

[stoopicus]

So I guess the only licensing question would be if Creative Labs was blocking or licensing any reproduction of the synths.

[C-note]

I have all the VFX-SD expansions and various sound sets. Also have the EPS 16+ which still works great. Thought about making a Kontakt instrument but no time right now