Ensoniq ESQ-1

Back in 1986, this synth pioneered the hybrid approach, blending gritty digital waveforms with warm analog filters in a way that felt revolutionary—more organic than pure digital keys like the DX7, yet packed with wavetable versatility.

Each of its eight voices packs three independent digital oscillators drawing from 32 waveforms, from classic sawtooths to quirky single-cycle samples like piano or voice, with oscillator sync, FM, and ring mod for wild textures. Analog CEM 3379 low-pass filters add that fat resonance, controlled digitally alongside three LFOs and four multi-stage envelopes that route freely to almost any parameter, plus velocity sensitivity and per-voice panning. The 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard sits under a huge, readable VFD display, 54 buttons, a data slider, and pitch/mod wheels, all in a sturdy metal chassis that's hefty but built to last, with an eight-track sequencer holding up to 24,000 notes across 30 sequences and 10 songs.

Players love its deep sound design for everything from ambient pads to punchy basses, praising the intuitive editing and sequencer that punches above its era. Sure, it's no lightweight for gigs, and live tweaks want more knobs, but that unique hybrid tone still cuts through mixes like nothing else.