Cherry Audio | Expressive Sound Design with Andrew Longhurst

video upload by Cherry Audio

"More expressive performance can be achieved through various technologies and techniques such as velocity, channel aftertouch (pressure), polyphonic aftertouch, and MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). These features allow compatible synthesizer instruments and controllers to mimic the subtle dynamics of acoustic instruments.

In this video, musician, producer, and sound designer ‪@AndrewLonghurst‬ demonstrates his approach to expressive sound design, showcased through his collection of presets for Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio. He provides demonstrations of each technique using the new Expressive E Osmose CE MIDI controller and discusses his choices for setting up these advanced modulations in a preset.

These techniques can be widely applied to other Cherry Audio virtual instruments. Be sure to check the product feature listings and documentation to determine which instruments specifically support some or all of these methods. Additionally, consult your MIDI controller documentation, as compatibility for channel aftertouch, polyphonic aftertouch, and especially MPE can vary significantly in this evolving market.

Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio User Guide - https://docs.cherryaudio.com/cherry-a...

00:00 - Introduction
03:16 - First Principals
05:28 - Velocity & Channel Aftertouch
09:28 - Polyphonic Aftertouch
15:16 - MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE)
22:28 - Notes About Compatibility

Andrew began his career in software and hardware development, preset design, and sample libraries in 1983. Over the years, he has created for several notable companies including Sony, Amek, DAR, Steinberg, eMagic, Lexicon, Klark Teknik, Akai PMI, Roland, E-Mu, Creative Labs, Novation, Red Sound, dS-Tec, Yamaha, and more. After spending 25 years in the audio-visual and virtual reality fields, he has recently returned to product and sound design. He co-hosts the ‪@ProSynthNetwork‬ LIVE show, a weekly YouTube livestream dedicated to electronic music technology, featuring news, in-depth discussions, and special guests from the synthesizer industry.

About Ensoniq ESQ-1 by Cherry Audio
Cherry Audio's ESQ-1 is a virtual synthesizer that captures the sounds and essence of the 1986 ESQ-1 polyphonic digital/analog synthesizer, released to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Cherry Audio partnered with Creative Technology, the current owner of the Ensoniq intellectual property, to obtain official licensing for the original 32 single-cycle waveforms of the ESQ-1. This enables the software to faithfully recreate the complex, evolving, and richly textured sounds of the original hardware.

The synthesizer features an elegant design with modern capabilities, including extensive modulation options, rhythmic pattern generation, integrated effects, and enhanced performance via MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). Additionally, Ensoniq ESQ-1 offers a library of over 400 exceptional presets, including the original factory presets, showcasing both classic and entirely new sounds. The ESQ-1 software also supports sound patch data exchange with the hardware via SysEx files."