Ensoniq sd1 specifications, pictures, prices, links. The vfx sd was ensoniq s attempt to corner the market on lowcost, highperformance workstation synthesizer keyboards. The sd1 adds some additional waveforms, mostly the very nice 1 mb piano, which still sounds pretty good even to this day. Ensoniq ts10 vs vfxsdii sd1 vintage synth explorer forums.
With the exception of the highest note of the keyboard, all keys from octave to octave are identical, and all black keys are identical. Even today these synthesizers sound amazing and have killer functions compared to a lot of modern gear. Cartridge port is retained, but floppy starts to be used more and more for sound patches and other files. Ensoniq vfxsd synth demo, by pulse emitter youtube. The first half of this demo are some original patches i created on the ensoniq vfx digital transwave synthesizer.
Upon development, ensoniq chose our sounds for incorporation into over 30% of their entire vfx library, including internal banks and all their many rom cartridges. Alongside the sequencer, the vfx sd provided multisampled drums. Later, during the development of the vfx sd, sd 1 and sqseries keyboards, they also converted many of those programs for use in those units too. Our website and phones are open, but shipping may take a few extra days, for the safety of our team. I was lucky enough to pick up a ensoniq vfx sd which was upgraded to the sd1. Ensoniq vfx and vfx sd documentation ensoniq vfx manuals. Ensoniq also developed an effects dsp, es5510 esp, that was used in the machines from the vfx on. Replacement keys with the exception of the top c note, all keys from octave to octave are identical, and all black keys are identical. Meant as a replacement for the sq80, the first vfx s came without a diskdrive or sequencer.
I bought a used ensoniq vfxsd a few months ago and ive been enjoying exploring its ability to create patches that use up to six waveforms. I can save patches from the esq1 to the librarian via midi but i cant load patches back to the esq1 make sure you have a good midi cable from the pcs midi out back to the midi in on the esq1. A new set of sounds for the ensoniq vfx, vfxsd, and sd1 synthesisers has. Midi quest ensoniq vfxsd editor and librarian for windows. I would recommend skipping the vfx sd, and maybe someday getting an esq1 if you want an ensoniq similar synth engine and waveforms as vfx sd, but with analog filters. We cannot provide tech support for the general operation of your keyboard. The vfx is the first alldigital synthesizer created by ensoniq. Sam mims was very active with the vfx series, the transnoniq hacker, and has been selling patches for ensoniq forever. Many of these problems were corrected with the vfx sd, which also included a disk drive and sequencer.
I think the sy77 is more enjoyable to program and is more flexible its something that youll probably hold on to, whereas the vfx sd is likely to be flipped or replaced imo. Ensoniq vfx sd patches 85 banks and 709 single patches for ensoniq sd, vfx, vfx sd. Like the original vfx, it can combine up to 6 waveforms in a single patch, resulting in some complex layered sounds. Ensoniq zone read about new products in synthesites ensoniq press releases. Welshs synthesizer cookbook patches for ensoniq esq1 sq80 vfx sd. A combination of otto and esp, es5540 ottofx, was developed but not used commercially. It had builtin effects, but unlike the other synths, ensoniq empowered the vfx with a 24bit dual effects processor, thanks to their vlsi chip. An ensoniq specialty that appeared in almost all of their products were the two patch select buttons above the pitchmodulation wheels. I also own a vfx sd, that one is a nice wavetable synth but only does about 25% of the crazy you can get out of the eps.
Our esq1 and esqm patches are available in system exclusive. Problems occured with the keyboard itself, bad wiring, os failures, and noisy outputs. The vfx sd2 or vfx sd ii version has about twice as much waveforms aboard. Following up on the heels of the esq1 and sq80 synths from ensoniq comes the vfx with more polyphony and waveforms. Used ensoniq sd1 61 key synth sequencer workstation. View and download ensoniq vfx sd user manual online. This website the ghosts of ensoniq vfxsd site dedicated to the vfx and sd is a good source.
Ensoniq vfx specifications, pictures, prices, links. Ensoniq vfx sd patches, presets, sounds, cartridges. Ensoniq sd1 music production synthesizer includes video tutorial and power cord about this keyboard this sd1 is in excellent condition mechanically and cosmetically. I walk and talk through some of my own patches as well as some presets and. Sporting twice the polyphony of its immedate prediecessor, the sq80, and four times that of the esq1, it was, by all accounts, the very best that money could buy. View and download ensoniq vfx musicians manual online. A single patch can contain up to 6 of 109 waves in its rom memory that can be combined and layered. For eddie and anyone else with a 23 year old ensoniq pg. Ensoniq vfx vintage synthesizer keyboard with sound card.
Ensoniq moved to an environmental friendly solder flux with the vfx and vfx sd that caused intermittent connectivity issues that would cause the keyboard to lock up. Sam mims created in 1988 which is still distributing the following ensoniq vfx products. The one that came first to my mind is the wonderful ensoniq vfx released back in 1989. The ensoniq vfx vintage digital a recent discussion got me thinking about older synths that are overlooked, still very powerful and available dirtcheap these days. Patches cant be overwritten, this cartridge is read only if you are looking for a rewritable cartridge for your ensoniq vfx, vfxsd or sd1 click here. Ensoniq sd1 sd1 sequencer os floppy disk image post by rasputin. Replacement keys these plastic keys will replace broken ones on your keyboard.
I purchased another vfx sd used but it will not read my old disks. My venerable ensoniq vfx sd may finally be giving up the ghost. This is not a virtuoso performance, just a quick vignette of what the vfx sounds. Productions samples, patches, hardware to our hacker family of ad vertisers. It was soon followed by the release of the vfx sd, which included some updated waveforms drum waves, a 24track sequencer and a floppy drive. Synth veteran richard geere demos the ensoniq vfx sd. Syntaur is an american company new braunfels, texas owner. It can combine up to 6 waveforms in a single patch, resulting in some complex layered sounds. Among nicks recent efforts is an electronic music cd titled actuality, released in 1994. The sd version added a sequencer and probably competed with the korg m1.
The sd1 comes from a long line of ensoniq s evolving transewavetm wavetable digital synthesizers. Korg prophecy patches 8 banks and 111 single patches for korg prophecy. I use the esq1 quite a lot and its probably my favorite synth. If you want all the sounds of an sd1 including the ability to create sixwave patches, but dont want to pay sd1 prices, this the the one to buy i think the only difference. Thousands of new sounds for over 100 synths and samplers. This puts it into a unique class of digital synthesizers along with the ppg wave series, waldorf microwave series, and ensoniq sd1, sq80, esq1, and fizmo. This went on for a year before they finally figured out the problem. It still has the same cartridge slot and is compatible with vfx patches. The vfxsd adds the very popular and easy to use ensoniq sequencer, and floppy drive. I like the sq80 vst and often sample sounds out of it for use in other synths, id also like to get hold of an mr rack with. Dec 20, 2016 i made a video where i demonstrate and talk about one of my favourite synths, the ensoniq vfx sd, my first vintage synth. It began with ensoniq s earliest synthesizer, the esq1. The sd 1 comes from a long line of ensoniq s evolving transewavetm wavetable digital synthesizers. Check out the hard reset for the ensoniq vfxsd sd1 page at sweetwater the worlds leading music technology and instrument retailer.
Midi quest pro, midi quest and midi quest essentials each include a library of public domain sounds which have been collected, converted to midi quests file format, and freed of duplicates. The vfx sd also featured four individual outputs, midi automated mixing, and an onboard 3. Like the original vfx, it can combine up to 6 waveforms in a single patch, resulting in. Nov 24, 2015 synth veteran richard geere demos the ensoniq vfx sd. This drive is preconfigured properly so that you can simply plug it in and use it as youd expect. We provide the software with your order that lets you load in the sounds. Route 66 studios cooling unit, service manuals, owners manuals, sound manuals, patch guides, eproms, parts and information. It was the synth that followed up their hugely popular esq1 and sq80 models and had more. Unfortunately the vfx sd did not do too well when it was released, so ensoniq rereleased it with a few enhancements and called it the sd 1. Sd 1 sounds and rom cartridges library of sd 1 patches. Overview, original patches and programming section. The ensoniq vfx doesnt get a whole lot of love, so i thought id make an omniflop disk image with a whole bunch of factory sounds. This puts it into a unique class of digital synthesizers along with the series, waldorf series, and ensoniq, sq80, esq1, and.
I know more powerful and capable doesnt always equal better in synthland. The ensoniq room at history and technical information about ensoniq instruments. This is a newly manufactured sound cartridge for the ensoniq vfx, vfx sd and sd 1. Thats why we added for each vfx soundbank a patches sound category page see tables below. The ensoniq vfx synth was initially released as a performance type synthesizer in 1989. Im in a songwriting frenzy right now, and im getting loads of funky stuff happening with this thing primarily related to banging and pounding on the keys. I have some knowledge of ensoniq synths having owned both a vfx sd and an sd1 in the past and i just love the sequencer that they have. Ensoniq vfx, vfxsd, vfxsd 2 digital synthesizer advanced. It includes the romram presets from the original vfx, vfxsd, and sd1 plus almost all the cartridges and some disks.
Nov 25, 2015 this video, via richard geere, demos the ensoniq vfx sd, a wavetable synthesis keyboard workstation from the early 90s the video includes an overview, a demo of original patches and programming the ensoniq vfx sd. Ensoniq sd 1 manuals manuals and user guides for ensoniq sd 1. I do know that theres an issue with the main pcbs with this axe. The vfx allows for ppglike synthesis using a sort of wavetable synthesis. I have an ensoniq vfx sd ii and ive purchased a ts10 for a great price. Ensoniq vfxsd vs sd1 gearslutz pro audio community. You are bidding purchasing a large library of sysex patches for the ensoniq vfx, vfxsd, or sd1. The ensoniq vfx sd owners manual is a 257 page black and white scanned pdf file. The ensoniq vfx owners manual is a 174 page black and white scanned pdf file.
The vfxsd is an enhanced version of the ensoniq vfx. I bought a new keyboard long ago, but i still have disks containing files of original music from the old vfx sd and would like to use the files. Highquality royaltyfree ensoniq vfx sd ride cymbal sample in. Cards and cartridges are no longer available, except programmable eeprom cartridges for the ensoniq vfx, vfxsd and sd1. Ensoniq vfxsd first three original patches polyphonic. That led to the sq80, then the vfx and vfx sd the latter featuring an onboard sequencer and then to the sd1 and it eventually led to the fizmo. Most of our replacement keys are used, but in fine condition. All sounds custom programmed and played live with no external effects. Check out the hard reset for the ensoniq vfx page at sweetwater the worlds leading music technology and instrument retailer. Ensoniq vfxsd patches rhythm lab free wav samples, loops. Ensoniq vfxsd patches, releases, rhythm lab free wav samples, loops, breaks, vst plugins, synth presets and much more. Find great deals on ebay for ensoniq vfx and ensoniq vfx sd. Features 16 cartridges in 1 each cartridge contains 10 banks, each bank contains 6 patches, for a total of 960 patches, as listed below. That led to the sq80, then the vfx and vfx sd the latter featuring an onboard sequencer and then to the sd 1 and it eventually led to the fizmo.
Ensoniq vfx sd first three original patches polyphonic aftertouch sounds only published on dec 9, 2019 earmonkey music ensoniq made some of the best synths and samplers of the 80s and 90s, hands down. This, with the internal 16bit samples, gave its patches a rich, hifi. The vfx, vfxsd, and sd1 are all in the same family meaning that they function similarly, and can share the same data with a few exceptions. Santi banks home studio site on this page info about the vfx sd 1 serie. Weve spent years collecting these sounds from around the. There are a few scuffs and scratches here and there but id say its above average for a keyboard of its age. The tone majestic and expressive, colorful and ethereal. This library includes 23 patches for the ensoniq vfx sd and is a great way to instantly enhance your collection of sonic resources.
I know that the ts10 is more powerful but is there anything i will be missing out on if i sell the vfx sd ii. Route 66 studios cooling unit, service manuals, owners manuals, sound manuals, memory upgrades, eproms, parts and information. This, with the internal 16bit samples, gave its patches a rich, hifi quality. Like most digital synths like these, they are great pad machines. Novation bassstation patches 7 banks and 108 single patches for novation bass station. Vfx sd site to exchange patches, tips, info, tools. The thing with this ts10 is it does not have the os sequncer disc and the owner of it has no knowledge of how it works apart from selecting sounds. The vfx sd is an enhanced version of the ensoniq vfx.