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Description
The SQ8L by Siegfried Kullmann is a robust synth plugin designed to emulate the classic Ensoniq SQ80, delivering the nostalgic warmth of vintage sounds directly within your digital audio workstation. This piece of software brings the celebrated hybrid synthesizer experience to producers, allowing you to explore the past while creating the future. With its detailed recreation of the SQ80's unique architecture, the SQ8L captures the essence of an era where digital and analog synthesis converged.
This plugin offers a wide range of sound shaping possibilities thanks to its 8-voice polyphony and comprehensive modulation capabilities. The SQ8L stands out for its ability to produce rich, textured sounds ranging from lush pads to punchy basses and shimmering leads. Its interface, while faithful to the original hardware, is intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible for both seasoned synthesists and newcomers alike.
Dive into an expansive sonic palette with the SQ8L's array of waveforms, and take advantage of its flexible modulation matrix to craft sounds that are uniquely yours. Whether you're looking to recreate classic tones or push the boundaries of electronic music, the SQ8L offers a versatile toolkit for any music producer.
Key Features:
- Emulation of the classic Ensoniq SQ80 synthesizer
- 8-voice polyphony for complex sound textures
- Comprehensive modulation matrix
- Intuitive GUI reminiscent of the original hardware
- Extensive library of waveforms for sound design exploration
Videos
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SQ8L VSTi audio demo
SQ8L VSTi audio demo
sauermusicDE
Free Synth - SQ8L by Siegfried Kullmann (No Talking)
Elektronick Musick
SQ8L by Siegfried Kullmann
UPROAR 24
![Video thumbnail for Synth [013] - SQ8L (Siegfried Kullmann) (Part 1) - Free VST Preset Demo by Rapture Music](https://img.youtube.com/vi/QoPm_IiTXCY/mqdefault.jpg)
Synth [013] - SQ8L (Siegfried Kullmann) (Part 1) - Free VST Preset Demo
Rapture Music
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent emulation of the Ensoniq SQ-80, capturing its unique character
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Free to use, making it accessible for all musicians
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Easy to program with a user-friendly virtual display
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Offers gritty, vintage sounds reminiscent of the 80s
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Great for creating unique post-FM keys and mono sync-leads
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Low CPU usage compared to similar synth plugins
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Solid performance synth with effective parameter assignment
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Delivers distinctive, quirky synth sounds popular in various genres
CONS
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Only available as a 32-bit plugin, limiting compatibility
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Lacks advanced features for creating complex, evolving patches
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Maintains Ensoniq's menu diving, which can be cumbersome
4.0 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 23 Ratings
40985
Its hard to beleive this is freeware.
This is just a fabulous emulation. I own an ESQ1 which came before the SQ-80. Both are basic wavetable synths with analog Curtis filters and fantastic midi implementation but the SQ80 is more fully featured and that's what this plugin emulates. Tonally this sits in the PPG wave and Korg wavestation camp though the wavetables are very simple and the 4 envelopes and LFOs aren't complex enough to make insane evolving patches like those synths are known for. I think this type of synth shines on post-FM keys patches and strange mono sync-leads. The filter emulation gets pretty close to my ESQ1 and if you set the saturation control to 'ensoniq' mode it certainly gets the whole thing in the gritty ballpark of the hardware I own. I find this guy a lot easier to program than my ESQ1 because its really easy to read the virtual display. Its pretty intuitive just like the hardware and if you've owned an ESQ1 or SQ80 you'll be right at home and dialing up killer patches right away. It maintains the ensoniq menu diving though, so not a tweak fest, but just like the ESQ1 this guy shines as a performance synth assigning parameters to wheels, velocity and aftertouch. Often I cannot be bothered to take my ESQ1 out of a closet and I roll with this plugin. Its great. Its also a lower CPU hit and easier to program than the legacy collection wavestation plugin, so if you don't need long, evolving pads from the wavestation try this guy. it can get grittier too. Its free so you owe it to yourself to try it if your DAW hosts VSTs.
1033
Anime voice synth sound?!
I get asked sometimes for what synth I use for the weird synth anime girl sounds, and I use this!
3582
Very good emulation of the Ensoniq SQ-80
Very good emulation of the Ensoniq SQ-80 and completely free of charge. Unfortunately only 32-bit and it still a few omissions. If only Mr Siegfried Kullmann would ever complete the SQ8X that he promised us, I'd happily pay 50-100 EUR for it.
40985
I have this and love it. pretty convincing. really keeps up with my actual ensoniqs ESQ1 which is very similar to the SQ80
3582
Don't bother looking for the SQ8X... Arturia just released one... and the upgrade price was 49β¬.
40985
its meant to be an ESQ1/SQ80, I have used an ESQ1 forever. This is pretty decent except at high resonance settigns where the analog Curtis filter of the hardware definitely schools. Try making your own patches, the Ensoniq hybrid synths are powerful machines and the presets, while humorously late-80s? are pretty lame compared to what these things CAN do.... I seriously will sue this free plugin a lot when I feel too lazy to get the ESQ1 out of the closet. If the ESQ1 weren't a big-ass keyboard and it were a rack unit or tabletop module I might not resort to the ST, but the hassle to extra performance ration between hardware and software makes the software a no-brainer.... its not like the original is easier to program. Same exact layout and confusing envelope generators
189
I do agree, the program is difficult to make your own sounds, but I should try to make my own presets and stuff. Also, I didn't know this was based on the ESQ1 so I might want to check that out.
Artist usage
Add artist
He used a preset from SQ8L called "COOL-CHOIR" in his track Goodbye to a world right at the beginning
Pierre uses this VST in two tracks on Sli'merre, his collaborative album with Young Nudy. The preset 'ANABAS' is used in the track, Hot Wings (it is the TB-303-style bassline that serves as the lead, song link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYBs6pF0dS0). The preset 'SORROW' is used on the track, Dispatch (the lead synth, song link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMePP6OA54s&list=OLAK5uy_m6TkFGAz2iSNqbJ2k_AxVe1C-5WCKFURA&index=6)
πππ πππππ
Addictive Keys, Artifake Labs Redtron SE, Arturia Buchla Easel V, CFA-Sound SUPER-7, COMET'S TAIL .nuxx, COMET'S TAIL ambiVAC, COMET'S TAIL bufferer (beta), COMET'S TAIL damascus!, COMET'S TAIL ktso, COMET'S TAIL microdose (beta), COMET'S TAIL phasedist (beta), COMET'S TAIL psykic, COMET'S TAIL real animal, COMET'S TAIL SOTA, D16 Drumazon, D16 LUSH-101, D16 Nepheton, D16 PunchBOX, Daichi Laboratory Synth1, Imperfect Samples Braunschweig Upright, Imperfect Samples White Baby Grand, KORG M1 Legacy, Marvin Pavilion Casiopea, Roland ZENOLOGY, Siegfried Kullman SQ8L, Sonic Charge Synplant, Toontrack EZdrummer, xoxos clap of luxury, xoxos pling4, A.O.M. Invisible Limiter G2, ag-works Chorus CH-2, Airwindows BassKit, Airwindows Channel9, Airwindows ChorusEnsemble, Airwindows ChromeOxide, Airwindows Ditherbox, Airwindows Mackity, Airwindows Melt, Airwindows NonlinearSpace, Airwindows PocketVerbs, Airwindows uLaw, Airwindows Verbity, Auburn Sounds Graillon, Auburn Sounds Panagement, AudioThing Fog Convolver, AudioThing Phase Motion 2, AudioThing Wires, Blue Cat AcouFiend, Cableguys ShaperBox 2, COMET'S TAIL shimmerlite (beta), COMET'S TAIL spacetime (beta), Cytosonic space360, D16 Decimort, D16 Redoptor, D16 Sigmund, dblue Glitch, Dead Duck Compressor, Dear Reality dearVR pro, E-Phonic Retro Delay, GFM Psypan, Glitchmachines Fracture XT, Glitchmachines Hysteresis, Glitchmachines Quadrant, Graham Yeadon GMonoBass, HY-Plugins HY-Filter, Inphonik RX950, iZotope Ozone 8 Imager, Kazrog KClip 2, Kjaerhus Classic Auto-Filter, Kjaerhus Classic Chorus, Kjaerhus Classic Reverb, Lexicon MPX Native Reverb, Melda MFreqShifter, Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5, OD DeEdger, Polyverse I Wish, QuikQuak Pitchwheel, Quilcom Faranear, Quilcom GRECHO, Quilcom Harpverb, Sonic Charge Permut8, Synthescience Autopan Modulator, TAL Reverb 4, TAL Vocoder II, ToneBoosters Barricade 2, u-he Colour Copy, u-he TwangstrΓΆm
"I layer my basslines, kicks and snares for the most part.
Also, SQ8L is a cool little VST. With some effects on the channel it can sound pretty powerful."
Album Usage
The SQ8L by Siegfried Kullmann has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use SQ8L by Siegfried Kullmann, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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