SQ80 V is Ensoniq’s classic ‘80s crosswave synth reborn, weaving hybrid lo-fi character, complex industrial textures, and thousands of unique waveform combinations into a quick-fire softsynth enhanced for modern production. Digital synthesis unraveled.
Where digitaldreams are made
Digital synthesizers are often known for sounds that are razor-sharp, crystal-clear, and precise – SQ80 V has other ideas.
Explore a detailed software resurrection of a digital anti-hero that’s out to break the rules.
Capture the grit, character, and charming imperfection favored by John Carpenter, Adamski, Mr Bungle, and countless others with an instrument that’s simultaneously complex and accessible, focused and intricate, edgy and dream-like – and unlike anything you’ve heard before.
The digital edge
SQ80 V’s perfectly-modeled 8-bit 5503 DOC chip delivers digital sounds that are uniquely full of organic character, ranging from silky smooth to razor sharp – all ready to customize & play in seconds.
Analog character
Digital oscillators collide with an emulated analog filter and output circuit for sinewaves that growl, harmonics that sizzle, and warm lo-fi timbres that are perfectly imperfect.
Waveforms evolved
Explore thousands of possible combinations of waves, instrument-style transients, hidden waveforms, and VFX transwaves for sound design potential that surpasses the original hardware.
Digital made easy
Digital synths have long been notoriously tricky to program, both hardware and software. SQ80 V bucks the trend with an immersive digital architecture that can be tweaked instantly, hassle-free.
Ridinga wave
Created by the same engineers responsible for the Commodore 64 – considered the best-selling computer of all time – Ensoniq’s SQ80 was up against stiff competition.
At the time of its release, the digitization of hardware synthesizers was well under way – but it went on to become a cult classic.
Here was a digital synthesizer that offered a degree of warmth and character usually reserved for its analog peers; flexible voice and modulation controls that didn’t require 10,000 hours of practice to program; a workhorse keyboard that produced an unprecedented array of timbres to suit any style, without the stellar price tag of similarly capable instruments.
After finding success with the Commodore 64 computer, former MOS Technology engineers Robert Yannes, Bill Mauchly, Bruce Crockett, David Ziembicki, Al Charpentier, and Charles Winterble spent several years on projects that ultimately didn’t materialise. The best selling computer of all time was a tough act to follow.
Waveforms
SQ80 V’s unique voice is all about combining and manipulating waveforms.
Each of its 3 oscillators can be assigned a different waveform; SQ80 V unites classic waveforms from the original built-in library with hundreds more that we’ve added, ranging from the familiar to the abstract. The resulting range of sounds at your disposal is simply enormous; soft moving string pads, plucky pulse width basses, glitchy industrial percussion…
SQ80 waveforms
The Complex Oscillator generates harmonically rich tones by folding a waveform’s peaks and valleys back on themselves.
Transwaves
An additional technology taken from Ensoniq’s follow-up generation of synthesizers, including ‘Transwaves’, a pioneering form of wavetable application.
ESQ-1 hidden waveforms
ESQ-1 preceded the SQ80, but had the same software. The same ‘hack’ was applied to produce a new selection of unique waveforms.
SQ80 hidden waveforms
By ‘hacking’ the original SQ80’s software, users unearthed a series of unpredictable waveforms made entirely of manipulated code.
Shades ofanalog
SQ80 V’s unique voice begins with its 8-bit oscillators and endless hybrid waveform combinations.
It’s when these components collide with its emulated CEM 3379 analog filter that it truly comes into its own. By processing digital sounds through its emulated analog filter and amp, SQ80 V can inject organic imperfections, crunchy harmonics, and tangible lo-fi distortion into your modern mixes.
Using our proprietary TAE® technology, we remodeled it in unparalleled detail to bring you a virtual instrument that sings, barks, and growls just like the original hardware.
Layer uponlayer
From the immediacy of its controls to its games console aesthetic, SQ80 V is as charming, edgy, and accessible as the real deal. Use it in your DAW or as a standalone instrument and, quite literally, make waves.
Main Features
- 3 digital oscillators based on the original DOC chip
- Over 400 waveforms across 4 unique banks
- Amplitude Modulation and Hard Sync
- 4 analog DCAs; 1 for each oscillator, 1 master output
- Analog resonant low-pass filter based on the original CEM chip
- 4 polyphonic envelope generators with 3 modes; SQ80, DADSR, MSEG
- 3 LFOs with 6 waveforms
- 8 MIDI sources
- Modulation mixer for combining 2 modulation sources
- Built-in 7-mode arpeggiator
- Up to 16-voice polyphony with Unison mode
- 4 FX slots across 2 busses, configurable in series or parallel
- 15 master effect types
- Advanced Brightness, Timbre, Time and Movement macro controls
- 200+ factory presets, including 40 from the original SQ-80 instrument
- MPE compatibility
Platform specifications
Windows
- Win 8.1+ (64bit)
- 4 GB RAM
- 2.5 GHz CPU
- 2GB free hard disk space
- OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
Required configuration
- Works in Standalone, VST, AAX, Audio Unit, NKS (64-bit DAWs only).
Apple
- Mac OS 10.13+
- 4 GB RAM
- 2.5 GHz CPU
- 2GB free hard disk space
- OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
Protection
- The software is protected by the Arturia Software Center.
Prompt Delivery and Professional Packaging
Our long-standing partnership with UPS FedEx DHL and other global carriers lets us offer a range of shipping services. Our warehouse staff is extremely skilled and will package your items according to our precise and exact specifications. Your goods will undergo an extensive inspection and be safely packaged prior to being sent out. Each day, we ship to thousands of customers in many countries. The fact that we are committed to becoming the biggest online retailer in the World is clear. These warehouses are in Europe in the same way as they are in USA.
Note: Orders that include more than one item are assigned a processing period depending on the item.
Before shipping, we will inspect thoroughly the items you have ordered. Most orders are shipped within 48 hours. Expected delivery time is between 3-7 days.
Returns
Stock is dynamic. It's not entirely managed by us since we are involved with multiple entities, including the factory and the storage. The actual stock can change at any moment. It is possible that your order may be out of stock once the order has been placed.
Our policy lasts for 30 days. We cannot exchange or refund your order if it has been 30 days from the date of purchase.
For your item to be returned it must be in its original packaging, unopened and in the condition you received it. The item must be in its original packaging.
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