4.8 / 5     (73 votes)
SQ8L is a software model of Ensoniq's classic 1980s synth SQ80.

The SQ80 features 3 digital wavetable oscillators for each of its 8 voices which are fed through analog 4-pole lowpass filters (-24dB gain) with resonance. Sound parameters can be modulated by 4 envelopes, 3 LFOs and several MIDI sources. The SQ80 also has a predecessor, the ESQ1, which can do most of the same stuff.
Downloads
Michel31 Oct 05 2023
(5 / 5)
Oct 05 2023
Il peut faire un très bon set à lui tout seul.
Rek Jul 27 2023
(5 / 5)
Jul 27 2023
Why doesn't the dev give the source code to the Surge XT developers? C'mon man, was ist die problem?
T Jul 18 2023
Jul 18 2023
How do you get all 200 sounds? I only have 28
Michel31 Oct 05 2023
Oct 05 2023
Clic droit sur afficheur rouge..
Flip Dec 05 2022
Dec 05 2022
Can someone help me with installing sq8l?! After downloading it on my (Windows 11) PC, it shows me after opening with Winrar a .dll data, but no Installation or VST 3 Plugin Data
Phill Dec 25 2022
Dec 25 2022
*.dll is format of VST2 plugin. Just drag & drop this into your VST2 Plugins directory. But this is 32-bit version and you work on the 64-bit PC. Use DAW which can run x86 (32-bit) plugins like Bitwig or FL Studio 21 or use program called "jBridger" to make it run in the 64-bit only DAW ;)
Kumar_Bhai Dec 26 2022
Dec 26 2022
There is no VST3 version of this synth – it's the 32-bit plugin. You need either a 32-bit host (usually marked as x86) or a bridge for 64-bit DAWs.
Dk Jan 22 2023
Jan 22 2023
Just use j. Brigde to convert the 32bit to 64bit that what im using on my windows 11 bro
RYan Nov 20 2023
Nov 20 2023
Thank you Phill spent 2 hours today learning everything I coul about why my daw couldnt read the dll file and its bc i was trying to open it on ableton and mpc beats
rek Nov 11 2022
(5 / 5)
Nov 11 2022
This plug is like the Pyramids. Nobody is able to make a plugin this good today.
Phill Dec 25 2022
Dec 25 2022
What You mean by Pyramids? VST Plugin? Can You precise a name more? Cheers ;)
Cozenus Jan 08 2023
Jan 08 2023
This plugin is Magic... same Pyramids.. no one can build like it :)
d Oct 11 2022
(5 / 5)
Oct 11 2022
I like it
Bob Angelo Aug 09 2022
(4 / 5)
Aug 09 2022
The original synth had a very logical user interface, but very poor hand on control, and the filter was a bit bland. Despite that, while not enough to obtain a legendary status, it is a true classic. The VST is a perfect recreation of this synth with all the drawbacks, but also all the goodness of its sound that brings back memories. I give only four stars because of the lack of hands on control (does'nt respond to midi CCs).
Night Lovell enthusiast Feb 10 2022
(5 / 5)
Feb 10 2022
I'm pretty sure Night Lovell used the "Bottle" preset in his track - LET ME DIE, lol, great plugin.
allie Oct 10 2022
Oct 10 2022
btw you can listen this sound in the track hulu
koshi Feb 10 2022
(5 / 5)
Feb 10 2022
I love it deeply. Thanks
RbHoffmann Sep 06 2021
(5 / 5)
Sep 06 2021
Wow,what a low end! Thanks!
disco d Sep 07 2021
Sep 07 2021
How did you open this. It wont allow me to open it
grain Jan 26 2022
Jan 26 2022
Maybe your daw doesnt support 32-bit plugins as this is
Phil Aug 04 2021
(5 / 5)
Aug 04 2021
Very nice, good sounds and convincing GUI
Ian Aug 29 2021
Aug 29 2021
How do I install this? Do I extract the files?
disco d Sep 07 2021
Sep 07 2021
Yeah I cant' figure out either
Anonymous Sep 16 2022
Sep 16 2022
File dll in folder VST your DAW
Henry May 03 2021
(5 / 5)
May 03 2021
Best synth plugin out there. You can buy thousands, but none will have the personality and functionality this one has, too bad we'll never have the full version of it. Rest in peace, Siegfried Kullmann. You've changed the way my music sounds.
Ersin May 17 2022
May 17 2022
How do you know he is dead?
Angelus Mar 24 2021
(5 / 5)
Mar 24 2021
I need help, my daw's (ableton) not scanning the plugin in my custom folder... I also tried putting it in steinberg but I still cant make it work
David Apr 15 2021
Apr 15 2021
It's 32bit. Live stopped supporting these and can only use 64bit plugins now. Download jbridge to "convert" your 32bit plugins to 64bit and.... tadaa! (Issues might appear though)
DC Jun 15 2021
Jun 15 2021
Download The Reaper DAW it has built in bridging and can load any 32bit plugin as if almost native type support. Unlike many other companies who don't care about the classic 32bit plugins anymore.
rafoniax Mar 15 2021
(5 / 5)
Mar 15 2021
I love this VST
Michael Jan 05 2021
(5 / 5)
Jan 05 2021
I love this thing. Warm, vintage sounds, tons of controls, tons of great patches, and tons of applications.
absolutefunnyman Oct 12 2020
(5 / 5)
Oct 12 2020
Absolutely classic sounds! Must have for anyone who wants to make 80s style soundtracks!
Stella May 24 2020
(4 / 5)
May 24 2020
I just realized the plugin automation settings are blank in LMMS which is a real shame as it's such a fantastic synth. No plugin automation in Cakewalk either even with Jbridge. Gutted. it's still a great synth tho but automation would've been nice. Thanks
Siegfried Kullmann Mar 23 2020
Mar 23 2020
It's a classic. ity he stopped development.
Vince Zmectrc Oct 23 2019
Oct 23 2019
Here's a useful video on how to automate SQ8L in Ableton and how to assign to knobs on your midi controller. I found it pretty interesting. and the sounds of the SQ8L are amazing. heres the video https://youtu.be/JrzZnZUIDHM
John Smith Jul 16 2019
(5 / 5)
Jul 16 2019
If you're reading this comment, please try it out on VSTHost. It works pretty well on Windows, I noticed though on PlayOnLinux using either VSTHost or LMMS on Ubuntu it will glitch out the overlay on the VSTi Plugin.
rek Nov 11 2022
Nov 11 2022
I too noticed it doesn't work with Yabridge on Linux. It's a real shame.
Knot Jul 12 2019
(5 / 5)
Jul 12 2019
The presets for this are amazing and the versatility this thing has packed into it makes it a must have.
Proteus Mar 19 2019
(5 / 5)
Mar 19 2019
The SQ8L is without a doubt a timeless classic. A one of a kind.
Deuils Feb 19 2019
(5 / 5)
Feb 19 2019
I'd say all of the superlatives have already been used. This is a bloody stunning VST clone of the SQ and I did get to use the real one for over a year. Also, I've had my own ESQ-1 for over 20 years and still use it. It's incredibly generous of you to allow us to have this for free. This beats many a paid VST emulation of other synths by a country mile. My hat is well and truly doffed to you sir.
Abraka Dabra Apr 17 2018
(5 / 5)
Apr 17 2018
Great plugin! Thank you very much!
Shepard Nov 30 2017
Nov 30 2017
I have only one melody of organ? what should i do to fix this, bro?
Juan María Solare Dec 31 2019
Dec 31 2019
Maybe try another preset?
George Nov 23 2017
Nov 23 2017
Fantastic!!! Sounds really cool :-)
Synth Guy Mar 18 2017
Mar 18 2017
If you're familiar with Ensoniq's ESQ-1 & SQ80 & you like their sound, you'll like this synth. I love my ESQ-1 & this is really a great VST.
MaadSyentizt Sept 06 2016
Sept 06 2016
Love it. Love it, love it, love it.
RANDO[M]USIC Aug 27 2016
Aug 27 2016
This Plugin is awesome! Great work to the creators! ;)
Codesound Jul 26 2016
(5 / 5)
Jul 26 2016
Very nice synth! Thanks!
Johnny Northerner Jun 07 2016
(5 / 5)
Jun 07 2016
Ace! Thank you very much. Free VST Fairlight CM Emulator anyone? Someone somewhere must want to make one!
ulises Mar 01 2016
Mar 01 2016
I need asign the midi controls, how I can do this in ableton ? Excelent vst ensoniq sounds, best ever.
Goebel Dec 30 2015
(5 / 5)
Dec 30 2015
Excelentes sons, grátis, leve e simples. Excellent sounds, its free and simple. Thanks a lot Kullmann.
Sage Dec 08 2015
(5 / 5)
Dec 08 2015
Fucking amazing!
Nevin Nov 25 2015
Nov 25 2015
This is the best free vst I have ever downloaded. Everything about it is amazing
Anders Nov 18 2015
(5 / 5)
Nov 18 2015
Fantastisk vst synth
Nick Bailey Nov 10 2015
Nov 10 2015
Very good sounding plugin, I own an Ensoniq and am impressed how close it sounds.
SyNtHeTh Oct 31 2015
(5 / 5)
Oct 31 2015
Absolut fantastisch! Da sollten sich so manch kostenpflichtige Synthesizer mal eine Scheibe abschneiden!!! Wirklich gro�artige Arbeit!!!
Wilf Sept 29 2015
(5 / 5)
Sept 29 2015
Fantastic synth, really beautiful plugin, helps me create the sound I always wanted. An enormous thank you to those who have created this synth.
Ron Jul 29 2015
(5 / 5)
Jul 29 2015
5000/5. This is amazing for synthwave stuff. Dat bass. OMG. A+++.
Anonymous Oct 09 2014
Oct 09 2014
Amazing and dreamy
superfirak Jul 08 2014
(5 / 5)
Jul 08 2014
Its very good, amazing sound ;=
Marc Mar 17 2014
(3 / 5)
Mar 17 2014
SO fine!! Remember me amiga500 sounds!!! I'll use for making music in independant games on xbox!!! If you are interested in sexy retro independant game have a look at "team suriken"!! SO GREAT:!!!!!!!
Carlos de Argentina Jan 15 2014
Jan 15 2014
Excelentes sonidos Ensoniq, tengo el ASR10 y es genial, Tnank you very much!! por compartirlo.
Anonymous May 05 2013
May 05 2013
CLASS ACT DUDE !!!! Very good plugin, 5 thumbs up;) Light on CPU, great classic sound, no MIDI control so far, but anyway, COOL stuff !
wikter Feb 27 2016
Feb 27 2016
Any MIDI CC is assignable, plus there are some fixed controllers... The following midi controllers are always recognized: 7 (07 hex) : Master volume, 10 (0A hex) : Panning (relative, 64=neutral), 11 (0B hex) : Expression (relative volume increase, 0=neutral)*, 64 (40 hex) : Hold/Sustain pedal (values>0 = hold notes)**, 74 (4A hex) : Brightness (relative filter frequency, 64=neutral)*. Just decide which parameter you'd like to modulate and rethink the mod.
kennylavish Feb 07 2013
(5 / 5)
Feb 07 2013
SQ8L is a great plugin for a classic synth! I just figured out a way to play and record the SQ8L plugin in Mac OS X through Ableton Live 8. If you'd like instructions on how to do it, download them here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/l4ds8z7melb9sqk/SQ8L_in_OSX.zip . LONG LIVE ENSONIQ
cheese Sept 07 2015
Sept 07 2015
like a boss!
bumblebee Nov 20 2012
(5 / 5)
Nov 20 2012
Flawless emulation of the SQ80. Fairlight patch reminds me of the old CMI IIx. Hey Siegfried, your vst rocks!!
doc is back Oct 25 2012
(5 / 5)
Oct 25 2012
Un excellent vst pour faire des bass vraiment claquantes, des pads super shimmering, mais bien d'autres choses si on prends le temps de s'y attarder un peu ! très bon soft !
Coldbot Sept 12 2012
(5 / 5)
Sept 12 2012
Great Ensoniq sounds...
robinsonlee84 Aug 07 2012
Aug 07 2012
Great for a Halloween project, very good sounds and effects.
Acid_Ghost May 12 2012
(5 / 5)
May 12 2012
This Synth is A M A Z I N G, too good to be true. I use it for everything. Better than many commercial vsts. A must !
hopfen Apr 08 2012
(5 / 5)
Apr 08 2012
Oh that's realy fine, great sounds and so small. I`m looking for my oldest PC ;-)
dr. rhythm Dec 16 2011
(5 / 5)
Dec 16 2011
GREAT!! One of the most important synth I ever used!
STVRSZ Dec 05 2011
(5 / 5)
Dec 05 2011
Lots of presets and it sounds great. Even though I never owned one, it makes me wish I would have.
-topic May 31 2011
(5 / 5)
May 31 2011
Wide range of sounds x customization = greatness!
AD-VANC3D May 22 2011
(4 / 5)
May 22 2011
LOVE IT. I USED TO OWN AN SQ80 AND MUST SAY VERY VERY VERY CLOSE, lovin the adamski piano.
PS13 Apr 11 2011
(5 / 5)
Apr 11 2011
5 out of 5. Had an ESQ1 a long time ago and this sounds like a true Ensoniq synth of old. Great VST & can't believe it's free.
Niklas Mar 05 2011
(5 / 5)
Mar 05 2011
I had 2 Ensoniq ESQ1. The SQ8L sounds like the original. Excellent work!
jorge Mar 30 2012
Mar 30 2012
Si que hicieron la pantalla igual de los Ensoniq! Muy retro!
DBM Nov 14 2010
(4 / 5)
Nov 14 2010
4 out of 5 . only -1 for no automation or native OSX support . Note Mac users works in the coincidentally named Vfx app for the V-machine
Dave G. Aug 04 2010
(5 / 5)
Aug 04 2010
Exceptionally good VST synth with loads of excellent presets! Bravo!
deepwatermusic Jun 22 2010
(5 / 5)
Jun 22 2010
Very nicely done. Really does remind me of the SQ80 and the ESQ-1. Bravo!!!
clazymon Jun 15 2010
(5 / 5)
Jun 15 2010
You are too cool! thanks for keeping this great ensoniq instrument alive!
Digital X Nov 23 2009
(5 / 5)
Nov 23 2009
In the 80's I had an Ensoniq ESQ 1. This emulation sounds like the original one!
SpyderX Aug 07 2009
(5 / 5)
Aug 07 2009
Another one that I use quite often. Great sounds and exceptionally low CPU draw.
ge0 Jun 26 2009
(5 / 5)
Jun 26 2009
IT'S NICE! so many cool effects, it has distracted me =D
acrataluis Mar 17 2009
(5 / 5)
Mar 17 2009
You can't just imagine how fat sounds the basses of this baby... Really great "Bottle" sound with a nice "windy" thing; really 80s, good emulation... tnxs (Sorry for bad english)