The Ensoniq SQ-2 is a digital synthesizer based on ROM waveforms (a ROMpler). It is patch-compatible with the Ensoniq SQ-1 (the 61-key version with the same engine) and the Ensoniq KS-32.
The Ensoniq MC-32 RAM and SC-2/PC-2 ROM cards work with this synthesizer. The PC-2 will not work with an SQ-1 or SQ-1 Plus.
The SQ-2 contains a set of 9 transwaves that can be used for wave sequencing. Here is the transwave list:
- Formant-X
- Planet-X
- Electro-X
- Pulse 1-X
- Pulse 2-X
- Resonant 1-X
- Resonant 2-X
- Resonant 3-X
- Resonant 4-X
The Ensoniq KS-32 is the follow-up to the SQ-2 that was released about a year later.
There is also a freeware Windows-based editor available for the SQ-2 called KSEdit.
Manual
To our knowledge there wasn't a copy of the SQ-1 Plus / SQ-2 manual available in PDF form, so we scanned our copy. It's available below.
Specifications
Year Released: 1992
Keyboard: 76 keys with velocity
Polyphony: 32 notes
Multitimbral: 24 parts
Preset Patches: 80
User Patches: 80
ROM: 3MB (167 waveforms) at 16-bit. 1MB piano, 2MB other sounds
Sequencer Resolution: 96 PPQN
Effects: 24-bit Digital Effects
Dimensions: 123.8 cm x 34 cm x 13 cm
Weight: 13.6 kg
Latest OS Version: 1.2
Latest OS Version For SQ-2/32: 2.03
Patch Memories: 180 (80 Preset, 80 Internal, 20 Drum Kits). Memory card adds two banks of 80.
Waveform Memory: 120+ Waveforms (Manual says 121 on page 5-2 and 124 on page 5-11).
Sequencer: 16 Tracks, 9000 Notes, 70 Sequences (Expandable to 58,000 Notes with SQX-70).
User Demo Videos
Rating
Sound Samples
WAV samples are available on freewavesamples.com.
File Downloads
Ensoniq SQ-1 Plus and SQ-2 Manual
KSEdit for Ensoniq SQ Synths (Windows Freeware Works with Ensoniq KS-32, SQ-1, SQ-2, and SQ-R)
Items for Sale on Reverb
Ensoniq SQ-2 Digital Synthesizer 1990 - Black ($425)
Ensoniq SQ-2 Digital Synthesizer 1990 - Black ($325)
Vintage Ensoniq SQ-2 Digital Transwave PCM Synthesizer 1990 - Black Analog Synthesizer ($329)
Ensoniq SQ-2 Digital Synthesizer 1990 - Black ($239)
Ensoniq SQ-2/32 76-key Digital Synthesizer keyboard used (Needs new backup battery) ($299.95)
Ensoniq Key Contact Retainers for Ensoniq ESQ-1 (both) & Mirage (all), SQ-1, SQ-2 ($1.50)
Ensoniq SQ 2 ($299)
Slide potentiometer Volume For Ensoniq Sq-1 Sq-2 Sq-R Vintage Synth Parts ($9.78)
Ensoniq Power Switch for Ensoniq ESQ-1 (both), ESQ-M, SQ-80, Mirage (all), VFX, VFX-SD, SD-1, SQ-2, SQ-R ($5.95)
Voice Crystal Voice Crystal 1 SQ2 160 Voice Ram Ensoniq SQ2/SQ1+/SGR+ ($90)
Ensoniq SQ1 / SQR / SQ2 Synth Patches • 3 Bank Set - Digital Download ($20)
Ensoniq SQ-R Plus Rack Synthesizer - Panasonic REPLACEMENT BATTERY ONLY! - 2 Solder Prongs ($14.49)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted A Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted F Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted D Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted E Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted B Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted SHARP/BLACK Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($7.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted SHARP/BLACK Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($7.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted F Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted D Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted D Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted A Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted B Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted G Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted G Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted A Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted SHARP/BLACK Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($7.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted G Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted B Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted C Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted SHARP/BLACK Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($7.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted C Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted SHARP/BLACK Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($7.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted F Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted A Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted D Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Fatar Replacement HALF Weighted B Key (TP/9S Keybeds) for Kurzweil K2000, Alesis Quadrasynth, Ensoniq SQ2, GEM WX2, Equinox 61, Oberheim OB-3 ($10.95)
Ensoniq - SQ1, SQ2, SQR, KS32 , DP series DP2, DP4 - Battery ($5.47)
Ensoniq OTISR2 609-01381303 IC for VFX-SD, EPS16+, SQ1, SQ2, ASR-10, ASR-88 ($39)
Ensoniq SQX-70 sequencer expansion memory upgrade kit TS-10, TS-12, SD-1, VFX-sd, KS-32, SQ-1, SQ-2 ($37.99)