Ensoniq VFX-SD (1990)

A digital music production workstation with Transwave synthesis, a 24-track sequencer, and built-in floppy disk drive

Overview

The Ensoniq VFX-SD is a synthesizer/workstation keyboard released in 1990. It builds on the original VFX by adding a 24-track sequencer and a built-in disk drive. Ensoniq designed it as a complete music production system, with synthesis, sequencing, and data storage in one box. The 'S' in SD stands for sequencer, the 'D' for drums. It followed earlier Ensoniq models like the ESQ-1 and SQ-80, and the SD1 succeeded it as an upgraded version with new waveforms and enhanced effects.

Specifications

Transwave technology	wavetable-like oscillators that could sweep through waveform sets, producing evolving, complex timbres
Keyboard	61 keys with velocity and aftertouch
Aftertouch types	capable of generating two types of aftertouch - Poly-Key and Channel, that is, either polyphonic or monophonic aftertouch
Polyphony	21 voices
Oscillators	1 to 6 per voice
Wavetable	Wavetable
Sequencer	24-track sequencer
Disk drive	The VFX-SD includes a floppy disk drive

Design

The VFX-SD uses Ensoniq's Transwave technology. The oscillators are wavetable-like and sweep through sets of waveforms, which gives evolving, complex timbres. The basic sound character is the same as the original VFX.

Context

The VFX-SD succeeded the ESQ-1 (1986) and SQ-80 in Ensoniq's lineup. Its integrated synthesis and sequencing pushed the company into more ambitious territory. It became a popular studio workhorse and sat before the ASR-10 sampler and TS series workstations of the early 1990s in the lineup. The SD1 followed as an upgraded version, with enhanced waveforms and effects.

Market

Used VFX-SD units have turned up at prices from $190 to $220, and some listings note an actual price of 600€. The floppy disk drive is the common failure. Some users replace it with a USB floppy drive emulator. Patch preservation and disk format compatibility are still active topics among users.