@Dectheboner - It's set up very much like the old analog polysynths: Prophet 5, Jupiter 8, Oberheim OB8, etc. If you don't have a manual, get a free one online. It's really not a difficult synth to use.
@Dectheboner - That's an excellent reason to download that free owner's manual. It starts out with a lesson on how to synthesize for beginners. I believe you will then find that the SQ-80 is one of the more user-friendly synthesizers.
If you don't have one, get yourself a free owner's manual online. The SQ-80 works just like the older analog synths, but the manual really helps with descriptions of all the newer waveforms and how to use the sequencer.
Most of it is done. I'm working on a more important project right now, but should be able to finish up this other SQ-80 video within a few more weeks. It's a demo about moving waveforms and overflow mode.
Nice demo! I would love to see a Youtube video of something I got to do once, back when the SQ-80 was in production - while trying it out at the music store, I played around with grabbing big two-handed chords and fiddling with the polyphonic aftertouch, controlling the filter, or vibrato ... magical.
Wow I thought this was going to be an early 80's horror film with that voice over! Seriously good demo of a very underrated synth. I love your take on EFNY. I too am a huge JC fan, especially his soundtracks
I haven't tried it myself, but from what I have been reading and hearing, it appears to be an unusually accurate computer reproduction of an existing synth. And that is quite an accomplishment for being based on something as unique and quirky as the SQ-80. I do know that a great deal of thought and work went into it.
Thanks to this this vid--I picked up both an SQ-80 and ESQ-1.Love 'em both! .Killer American made synths. They just dont make 'em like this anymore. The ESQ-1 i got is the metal case version, but to be sure both of them are solid and HEAVY! Super fat filters and easy to program, but your programming on those star trek sounds--WOW! Totally masterful. Cant wait to see the next vid, and thanks for the upload!
I recently dug out an old SQ80 my Uncle owned, and have been in the process of learning how this thing works for maybe a month or so. Through my various internet searches, your name ALWAYS comes up, whether it's Star Trek sounds, Transoniq Hacker articles, etc. You really know your way around this machine, and your knowledge in engineering sounds for it is astounding. I would love to see a new video (new patches?) posted sometime! Kudos on inspiring a whole new generation of 80's synth lovers!
damn, I was going to sell my SQ-80... but now I don't think I can. You've gotten way more out of it than I have. I've gotta go fire this thing up again.
One is a sampler and one is a synthesizer, so each one will do things the other cannot. They are both excellent instruments. It really depends on what the user wants to do. I play both instruments to cover all the bases, and I feel perfectly confident in saying they are both better.
i love this synth...the sounds... the sequencer...ive gone thur alot of synth and finally i found the ONE..but sadly it keeps locking up on me and i have to restart it!!! can anybody help me with this problem?!plzzz write back-late
cool, as long as there will be a video at some point; also, there has been serval studies saying that lazy people live longer, so live long and prosper.
I have had this synth from when it first came out and I have never seen anyone who has such an in-depth knowledge of this instrument. I was obsessed with creating my own sounds for years and still use the SQ80 to this day. It has a unique sound. Verry gritty, but has the capacity to create some huge string sounds. The bell and digital-type sounds are great, the samples are lo-fi, but it has a unique character. Thank you sir for this great video!!!
This video is REALLY good. Also you are humerous in the way you speak. WOA! Also, you are a GREAT programmer. If not, PLEASE TELL me those are presets.
Oh, no! I looked that word up up: "The humerus is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow." ;) But thanks for the compliments. Ever since my first programmable synth, I have developed a dislike for factory presets. Plus for me, half of the joy of playing synth is making up sounds from scratch, like most of these. Technosis makes almost all of the 3rd-party sounds I used here, like the "Hammond organ", "fly", and most of the "more exotic sound effects" section.
Excellent! Escape From New York! Good work and some great sounds. I love my SQ80, I've wanted one for years and I finally got one for a staggering £100. Bargain of the year!
Lucky! I'vs been wanting that synth for years. I'm a huge Carpenter fan. Always loved the textures he used in his scores. Thanks for the wonderful demo. :)
Now is the time! Over the last year I picked up three extras cheap from eBay. Right now they are typically around $300.00. I expect that eventually they will be going for premium collector prices.
holy moly! how did you get the PWM sound from a "fixed wave" synth? I wanna get one of these, but I can't live without PWM strings, and you seemed to make that happen w/the mod wheel. is it an LFO assign thing?
This comes from using SYNC - set OSC2 to SQUARE and as long as it is tuned between 0 and 1 octaves below OSC1's pitch (including modulators) you will get different pulse widths. It can be controlled by ANY of the modulators.
ist it possible to share your sounds or even to buy them? Fantastic Demo. I receive this beautiful peace of synth history tomorrow and can't wait to play it...
One more question: I love your sounds. Is it possible to purchase them? I'd love to have them...
Listen, Kirk, how do you get the data from your disks into your windows computer? My disk drive cannot even read the disks, since they're not DOS-formatted. I also use Sibelius and Finale (Score Software) and it would be great if I could find a way of getting the data into the computer. Then I could maybe find a way of converting the files. Maybe you have an answer?
Hey Kirk ;-) You really got a sense for beauty. The video is great, the synth perfectly positioned, great colors... Compliments...
I got an SQ 80 myself when I was 16 - so 24 years ago. But it's still a fantastic machine. I love playing with it and did loads of compositions... ;-) Steve from Munich
One of the best demos I've ever seen. Charming presentation, well played and astonishingly programmed.
soupforare 2 weeks ago
I have one and haven't got a clue how to programme it. It's an absolute nightmare
Dectheboner 2 months ago
@Dectheboner - It's set up very much like the old analog polysynths: Prophet 5, Jupiter 8, Oberheim OB8, etc. If you don't have a manual, get a free one online. It's really not a difficult synth to use.
909955847736 2 months ago
@909955847736 Thats ok for you to say buddy. i'm a complete newbie to synths. you're an expert
Dectheboner 2 months ago
@Dectheboner - That's an excellent reason to download that free owner's manual. It starts out with a lesson on how to synthesize for beginners. I believe you will then find that the SQ-80 is one of the more user-friendly synthesizers.
909955847736 2 months ago
That sound effect at 5:14 is fucking sick. I've never heard anything like it.
AlienatedStud 2 months ago
@AlienatedStud - It is just one of the very original sound effects from Technosis. I recommend getting the full set of their patches.
909955847736 2 months ago
Best fucking synth ever made. Modern company synths can't emulate SHIT!
AlienatedStud 2 months ago
Great video. I've had an SQ-80 on my want list for a while. Carpenter used one on the They Live score.
forcedopinion1 2 months ago
@RogueRotting360 Never had them. My dad used to have some floppy disks with various sounds, but we can't find them.
themrfj 2 months ago
This thing is diiiirt cheap and yet it sounds like NO modern synth could EVER achieve. Amazing.
AlienatedStud 3 months ago
John Carpenter too! You're a man of fine taste.
perspeeks 3 months ago
The Cars! Awesome :)
perspeeks 3 months ago
Arg how can i learn to use my SQ-80 :(
themrfj 5 months ago
If you don't have one, get yourself a free owner's manual online. The SQ-80 works just like the older analog synths, but the manual really helps with descriptions of all the newer waveforms and how to use the sequencer.
909955847736 5 months ago
@909955847736 Google to the rescue!
themrfj 5 months ago
I heard of rumors of a second video coming out. I can't wait... cheers.
averagemale2000 5 months ago
Most of it is done. I'm working on a more important project right now, but should be able to finish up this other SQ-80 video within a few more weeks. It's a demo about moving waveforms and overflow mode.
909955847736 5 months ago
I was blown away more by this guy's voice than the synth. Man you sound amazing. I bet you get a lot of girls with a voice like that!
MrGeorgios2020 5 months ago
I was just showing this video to a girl and she was impressed more by your comment. Thanks.
909955847736 5 months ago
Nice demo! I would love to see a Youtube video of something I got to do once, back when the SQ-80 was in production - while trying it out at the music store, I played around with grabbing big two-handed chords and fiddling with the polyphonic aftertouch, controlling the filter, or vibrato ... magical.
infindebula 7 months ago
Comment removed
katielknoll 7 months ago
Wow I thought this was going to be an early 80's horror film with that voice over! Seriously good demo of a very underrated synth. I love your take on EFNY. I too am a huge JC fan, especially his soundtracks
Thankyou for doing this synth justice.
abrokenframe82 8 months ago
How do you rate the Sq8l vsti?
maccagrabme 8 months ago
I haven't tried it myself, but from what I have been reading and hearing, it appears to be an unusually accurate computer reproduction of an existing synth. And that is quite an accomplishment for being based on something as unique and quirky as the SQ-80. I do know that a great deal of thought and work went into it.
909955847736 8 months ago
Thanks to this this vid--I picked up both an SQ-80 and ESQ-1.Love 'em both! .Killer American made synths. They just dont make 'em like this anymore. The ESQ-1 i got is the metal case version, but to be sure both of them are solid and HEAVY! Super fat filters and easy to program, but your programming on those star trek sounds--WOW! Totally masterful. Cant wait to see the next vid, and thanks for the upload!
rudiedisone 8 months ago
I recently dug out an old SQ80 my Uncle owned, and have been in the process of learning how this thing works for maybe a month or so. Through my various internet searches, your name ALWAYS comes up, whether it's Star Trek sounds, Transoniq Hacker articles, etc. You really know your way around this machine, and your knowledge in engineering sounds for it is astounding. I would love to see a new video (new patches?) posted sometime! Kudos on inspiring a whole new generation of 80's synth lovers!
SuperVorisekBros 8 months ago
I want to recreate youtube.com/watch?v=Gy9FH7gNFbw on an sq80
Wish me luck :)
themrfj 8 months ago
Comment removed
themrfj 8 months ago
That song on the radio was the first time I ever heard SYNC. I remember wondering how they got that sound.
909955847736 8 months ago
Man john carpenter is so good! That's my fav theme of his too.
jessermejia 10 months ago
damn, I was going to sell my SQ-80... but now I don't think I can. You've gotten way more out of it than I have. I've gotta go fire this thing up again.
bbow73 11 months ago
whats better, an E-mu Emulator II, or an SQ-80?
LaugermanPROductions 1 year ago
One is a sampler and one is a synthesizer, so each one will do things the other cannot. They are both excellent instruments. It really depends on what the user wants to do. I play both instruments to cover all the bases, and I feel perfectly confident in saying they are both better.
909955847736 1 year ago
@LaugermanPROductions EMU is a great sampler and has a wonderful library - SQ80 is a lovely unique sounding synth
SimonMilIs 7 months ago
@909955847736 -- LOL At least it sounds very professional and not geeky like Steve Urkell from the old Family Matters show. "Did I do thaaat?" LOL
Great demo by the way!
I had to go check out Score for Sale because of it.
chrishooper68 1 year ago
@909955847736 -- LOL At least it sounds very professional and not geeky like Steve Urkell from the old Family Matters show. "Did I do thaaat?" LOL
Great demo by the way!
I had to go check out Score for Sale because of it.
chrishooper68 1 year ago
I'm just amazed at how well he programmed these sounds. I thought this was a sampler till I just read up on it on wikipedia.
No disrespect by the computer voice comment, it's just the first thing that popped in my head when I heard you. LOL
chrishooper68 1 year ago
Is it just me, or does it sound like Microsoft modelled this guy's voice for use with their computer voice generator programs? LOL
chrishooper68 1 year ago
i love this synth...the sounds... the sequencer...ive gone thur alot of synth and finally i found the ONE..but sadly it keeps locking up on me and i have to restart it!!! can anybody help me with this problem?!plzzz write back-late
lvrsnvy 1 year ago
cool, as long as there will be a video at some point; also, there has been serval studies saying that lazy people live longer, so live long and prosper.
averagemale2000 1 year ago
hey man, When? when are you going to make another video??? when man?
averagemale2000 1 year ago
I already have a script and a bunch of the patches made for it, but you have to understand I'm a really lazy person.
909955847736 1 year ago
I have had this synth from when it first came out and I have never seen anyone who has such an in-depth knowledge of this instrument. I was obsessed with creating my own sounds for years and still use the SQ80 to this day. It has a unique sound. Verry gritty, but has the capacity to create some huge string sounds. The bell and digital-type sounds are great, the samples are lo-fi, but it has a unique character. Thank you sir for this great video!!!
MrGeorgios2020 1 year ago
This video is REALLY good. Also you are humerous in the way you speak. WOA! Also, you are a GREAT programmer. If not, PLEASE TELL me those are presets.
VacTrooper 1 year ago
Oh, no! I looked that word up up: "The humerus is a long bone in the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the elbow." ;) But thanks for the compliments. Ever since my first programmable synth, I have developed a dislike for factory presets. Plus for me, half of the joy of playing synth is making up sounds from scratch, like most of these. Technosis makes almost all of the 3rd-party sounds I used here, like the "Hammond organ", "fly", and most of the "more exotic sound effects" section.
909955847736 1 year ago
@909955847736 Haha, YOU sir, just earned my Subscription to your channel, also you have a friend invite. :)
VacTrooper 1 year ago
Great demo...these early hybrids sound so beautifully analogish.
Aetila 1 year ago
Excellent! Escape From New York! Good work and some great sounds. I love my SQ80, I've wanted one for years and I finally got one for a staggering £100. Bargain of the year!
davedagreat69 1 year ago
really nice heli sound thumbs up
SwimmingLightes 1 year ago
Lucky! I'vs been wanting that synth for years. I'm a huge Carpenter fan. Always loved the textures he used in his scores. Thanks for the wonderful demo. :)
mediawasteland 1 year ago
Now is the time! Over the last year I picked up three extras cheap from eBay. Right now they are typically around $300.00. I expect that eventually they will be going for premium collector prices.
909955847736 1 year ago
Excellent video. Great synth too!
:) TSF
TheSynthFreq 1 year ago
THIS IS A GOOD VIDEO
friendsmyheart 2 years ago
nice work!
jimstout 2 years ago
holy moly! how did you get the PWM sound from a "fixed wave" synth? I wanna get one of these, but I can't live without PWM strings, and you seemed to make that happen w/the mod wheel. is it an LFO assign thing?
prinznevsky 2 years ago
Big secret:
The ESQ and SQ80 are FULLY CAPABLE of producing real PWM! It is an undocumented feature.
In fact, you can have a modulatable PWM "oscillator" (i.e. non-fixed wave) and a wavetable OSC on the same patch.
maxmace111 2 years ago
which one of them is the PWM wave? I just got and ESQ 1 (finally!) and am tring to figure it out
prinznevsky 2 years ago
This comes from using SYNC - set OSC2 to SQUARE and as long as it is tuned between 0 and 1 octaves below OSC1's pitch (including modulators) you will get different pulse widths. It can be controlled by ANY of the modulators.
909955847736 2 years ago
Hi Kirk,
ist it possible to share your sounds or even to buy them? Fantastic Demo. I receive this beautiful peace of synth history tomorrow and can't wait to play it...
Stue007 2 years ago
Recommended first step - get all the Technosis patches for ESQ-1 and SQ-80. Several were used here. Also look on the website "Score For Sale".
909955847736 2 years ago
Thank you very much for sharing the information. Would like to see some programming know how videos from you. Might be very interesting... :-)
Stue007 2 years ago
I love my SQ80 but you can really make this thing sing. Excellent programming. Thanks for sharing.
sweepstakes 2 years ago
One more question: I love your sounds. Is it possible to purchase them? I'd love to have them...
Listen, Kirk, how do you get the data from your disks into your windows computer? My disk drive cannot even read the disks, since they're not DOS-formatted. I also use Sibelius and Finale (Score Software) and it would be great if I could find a way of getting the data into the computer. Then I could maybe find a way of converting the files. Maybe you have an answer?
Greetings from Munich - Steve
Magnus1612 2 years ago
Hey Kirk ;-) You really got a sense for beauty. The video is great, the synth perfectly positioned, great colors... Compliments...
I got an SQ 80 myself when I was 16 - so 24 years ago. But it's still a fantastic machine. I love playing with it and did loads of compositions... ;-) Steve from Munich
Magnus1612 2 years ago
Amazing demo! 5 Stars.
SQ80 is really such a wonderful synth. I'm never selling mine.... even though its disk drive is missing ;-)
jauqq 2 years ago 2
very nice video, you are a very skilled player, look forward to seeing more of your videos,
averagemale 2 years ago