Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Scott,

I had a CS80 from the late 70's until a few years ago when a basement flood drowned it :(   I was broken-hearted.

I bought it and a Yamaha CP70B right after I heard Eddie Jobson play Alaska on the first UK album. It was a really stable instrument and didn't suffer from the tuning problems many CS80s had. However, it was friggin' heavy and I had this giant Anvil case for it that made my roadies quit :) 

Good luck on your hunt!
steve

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" <gl2tgr@...> wrote:
>
> Steve, that is *awesomely* useful information. 
> 
> The CS80 is my "impossible dream" synth, because I know that I'll never be able to save and bring myself to spend the money to get one. But I've never touched one. I'm a big Eddie Jobson fan as well, more CS80 madness!
> 
> Frankly the Poly-AT was the main reason I wanted the VFX. My expectations (re: aftertouch) are modest - I wouldn't expect a used Ensoniq to come close to the feel/performance of a high-end unit like a CS80 or a VAX77. But just the fact that it has the feature *at*all* was enough.
> 
> Your info re: the S2 or S3 is great. 
> 
> Thanks! Scott
> 
> --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "steve" <sataraszewski@> wrote:
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> > Scott,
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> > It seems to me that the item is not in in "PERFECT OPERATING CONDITION", as you have noted. If it were me, I would definitely contact the seller and let him/her know of the situation and either suggest that the seller either give you 1) a partial refund to pay for the repair or 2) be prepared to receive the unit back. 
> > 
> > I had purchased two VFX-SDs from ebay dealers and neither of the machines functioned as described. However, I contacted the sellers and rationally explained the problems and was compensated to my satisfaction. I was specifically looking for poly-aftertouch capabilities when I bought the VFX-SDs to replicate the hardware feel of my old yamaha CS80 when using my Arturia CS80V software. That was a pipe dream :)  Although both of the VFXs do have functioning poly-AT, the feel is a bit off for me in that I do seem to have to press rather firmly to engage the poly-AT and then, the poly-AT "curve" is anything but linear. May I suggest that, if you are looking for something a bit more performance oriented in terms of poly-AT, you try to dig up an old GEM S2 or S3 turbo.  I found one of these at a Guitar Center and snapped it up, but only after I had bought the VFXs. And, although the VFXs do sound nice, I probably would never had purchased them given the beautiful feel of the GEM keyboard and my original reason for buying another controller in the first place.
> > 
> > Just a thought,
> > steve
> > 
> > --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" <gl2tgr@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Bill, thank you for the response! But what I am specifically looking for is opinions on: HOW MUCH TROUBLE WILL IT BE for me to get the aftertouch on this unit to respond as it should? (Even if it takes a lot of pressure, I don't care) - I just want it to work!
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> > > The seller (again) appears to be a straight-shoter BUT he described the unit as "IN PERFECT OPERATING CONDITION" - so I'm trying to decide whether to send it back or not.
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> > > The point is POLY aftertouch, you can't replicate that with a pedal and entering it as MIDI events in a sequencer NOT what I'm interested in - it's a performance/improvisation issue.
> > > 
> > > Anyone else, any thoughts about adjusting/restoring the aftertouch on one of these?
> > > 
> > > Thanks! Scott
> > > 
> > > --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "William J. Niemi" <bill@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi, Scott,
> > > > 
> > > > I have an SD-1, and it was in a heavily smoked studio for a number of 
> > > > years.  No more though... otherwise I'd probably not be writing to you.  :-)
> > > > 
> > > > I never thought the aftertouch on the SD-1 was that great compared to 
> > > > other keyboard synths I have played.  It always seemed to me that you 
> > > > have to play very hard to get that controller to work.
> > > > 
> > > > If it ever becomes a big issue with you, you might consider getting a 
> > > > pedal like a Digitech Control 8 (long out of production but still 
> > > > supported by the factory!)  which you could set for the controller # and 
> > > > operate with your foot.  I know it's a workaround but that would be 
> > > > one.  Also, if you are recording MIDI, some programs (like Sonar) will 
> > > > allow you to manually enter controller parameters on the track as 
> > > > necessary.  So there's 2 workarounds.
> > > > 
> > > > Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your SD as much as I do.  There are 
> > > > still some patches on that box that I rank right up there with the 
> > > > best... such as the "Organizer" patch with the Digitech controlling the 
> > > > Leslie simulation... way cool.  I have a Hammond A-100 with the matching 
> > > > Leslie 251 in my studio and that patch, pound for pound, is way easier 
> > > > for the working musician!
> > > > 
> > > > Best,
> > > > Bill
> > > >
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