Device Details

Device Overview

Name/Version: Ensoniq ESQ Editor 1.0
Author: adamneddo  
Description: This is a bi-directional patch editor for the Ensoniq ESQ-M (and probably ESQ-1) synthesizer.

The editor was designed to be used on its own track, in conjunction with Live's "External Instrument" device on a different track.

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For uni-directional operation, just point the "MIDI To" track output on the track containing this editor to the MIDI port sending data to your ESQ and make the appropriate MIDI channel selection.

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For bi-directional operation, we have to make a few extra settings to avoid creating a MIDI loop.

On the track containing the "External Instrument" device: set the "MIDI From" track input to the USB device or MIDI Port you use to send note data to Live. (Note: this should be a port other than the one your ESQ-1 is attached to or you will still have a MIDI loop.)

On the track containing this editor:
- Set the "MIDI From" track input to the MIDI Port receiving data from the ESQ hardware
- Confirm the "MIDI To" track output is pointing to MIDI port sending data to your ESQ on the correct channel
- Set "Monitor" to "In"

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After configuring your tracks in Live as above, confirm the MIDI channel setting on your ESQ ("BASECHAN") and set the editor to the same channel at the far left of the device. Then, configure your ESQ to recognize sysex messages ("MIDI ENBL = KCPSYS", note that you have to enable this setting every time you turn on your ESQ).

Finally, synchronize your synth and the editor panel by clicking "Initialize" or "Get Patch" (for bi-directional operation).

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In use:

Panel settings will save with your Live project and you can save panel settings as presets in Live. After loading your saved panel settings, just click "Send Panel" in the lower left of the device to send the saved settings to your ESQ.

It should be possible to automate every parameter in Live, but I haven't tested this functionality thoroughly. Note that changes don't apply in realtime to held notes and only take effect on the next keypress.

The ESQ doesn't like to receive too much data too quickly and although I have included some basic message rate limiting built into the editor, you will occasionally probably still get a "*SYSTEMERROR*" on the ESQ from time to time. When that happens, just go back into the MIDI settings to reenable sysex ("MIDI ENBL = KCPSYS") and you should be good to go again.

Likewise, you will occasionally get hung notes when you're editing parameters and playing notes at the same time. I really wanted to include an "All Notes Off" button in this editor, but couldn't make it work for some reason. It's probably smart to put an "All Notes Off" device in front of your "External Instrument" for when that inevitably happens (or you can always just mash down eight keys at once).

I have included a "Randomize" button that will randomize waveform (excluding noise and kick), tuning (octaves, fourths, and fifths), and volume for any oscillators that are switched on. I find it mildly useful, but do get mostly a lot of organ sounds.

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The way parameters are stored and transmitted in bulk on the ESQ requires some encoding and decoding so there may be a couple bugs here and there. Please post here or email me at adam.neddo@gmail.com if you find any bugs or have any trouble or have any feedback at all!
 

Device Details

Downloads: 172
Tags hardware
Live Version Used: 11.2
Max Version Used: 8.3.3
Date Added: Oct 16 2022 19:28:31
Date Last Updated: Oct 17 2022 19:01:30
Average Rating (1) 5
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Device Type: midi_device
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License (more info): AttributionNonCommercial

Device Files

Device File: ESQ Editor 1.0.amxd
 


Comments

Fantastic, thank You!

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