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Arturia SQ80 V – Virtual Synthesizer

Name: Arturia SQ80 V - Virtual Synthesizer
SKU: 1200-96
Price: 199 USD
Availability: InStock

$199.00

Arturia SQ80 V - Virtual Synthesizer

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.

Description

Organic Digital Wavemaker

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.

Riding a 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.

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.

Just a small selection of the variety of sounds you can attain with SQ80 V, thanks to its diverse library of available waveforms.

Shades Of Analog

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.

What We Added

SQ80 V strikes the perfect balance between ‘80s cult classic and modern production workhorse with character.

To achieve this, we added hundreds more waveforms and retrofitted its architecture with a number of extra creative features - without compromising its distinct retro charm.

The Arpeggiator

Introducing an arpeggiator to SQ80 V’s curious sound equips it for easy performance and melody creation. A classic component with the familiar controls, including arp direction, sync, octave range, and hold. Just turn it on and enjoy free-flowing lo-fi sounds that fit right into your mix.

Unison

SQ80 V offers up to 16-voice polyphony - twice that of the original hardware instrument - but we couldn’t resist adding an 8-voice unison option. Stack up those oscillators for enormous basses, gritty percussion, and ultra-dense lead sounds.

Dispersion

When it comes to classic synths and keyboards, the true charm often lies in the details. We went a step further than emulating the SQ80’s sound and interface by introducing dispersion - meaning subtle variations and inconsistencies in the behavior of its emulated circuitry. No two notes will ever be exactly the same, bringing a truly unmatched organic sound.

Env Expanded

To further shape the attack, duration, and evolution of your sounds, we upgraded SQ80 V with 2 additional envelope modes: DADSR and MSEG. The former adds a delay stage to the traditional ADSR for staggered strikes and interesting rhythmic patterns. The latter is a fully-customizable looping function generator for painting envelopes your own way.

The Mod Mixer

Combine any 2 modulation sources, from envelopes to keyboard controls, to distort, mangle, and refract your patches in interesting and unexpected ways. With 6 different modes of modulation mixing, the combination possibilities are enormous - as are the potential sonic results.

MPE Compatibility

SQ80 V supports MPE-compatible controllers for an advanced expressivity experience. Create dynamic performance patches and textures that can respond in numerous ways to a single keystroke.