# Ensoniq ESQ1 sounds distorted with high harmonics

**URL:** <https://forums.syntaur.com/t/ensoniq-esq1-sounds-distorted-with-high-harmonics/8526>\
**Category:** Synth Repair\
**Created:** [March 3, 2025, 9:22pm UTC](https://forums.syntaur.com/t/ensoniq-esq1-sounds-distorted-with-high-harmonics/8526 "2025-03-03T21:22:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dadm00](https://forums.syntaur.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@dadm00](https://forums.syntaur.com/u/dadm00)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 9:22pm UTC](https://forums.syntaur.com/t/ensoniq-esq1-sounds-distorted-with-high-harmonics/8526/1 "2025-03-03T21:22:38Z")

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Hello,

I recently got an ESQ-1 and noticed some global distorsion on all sounds and also very high-pitched harmonics while playing simple SIN wave present from the the lowest notes.

I recorded two examples starting from OCT -2 with SIN and SAW:  
[sin.mp3](https://voca.ro/1RzNI7xeiHcq)  
[saw.mp3](https://voca.ro/137isJC9HJp0)

The settings are the following: only DCA1 enabled, volume at 50, no modulation on OSC1, DCA1, or DCA4, filter fully open at 127 with resonance at 0, MONOPHONIC mode, and DCA4.T1 = 0.

Is it considered as a correct behaviour or do my ESQ1 needs some reparation or calibration?

Cheers

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**Author:** ![midnightvisions](https://forums.syntaur.com/user_avatar/forums.syntaur.com/midnightvisions/32/774_2.png) [@midnightvisions](https://forums.syntaur.com/u/midnightvisions)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2025, 2:28pm UTC](https://forums.syntaur.com/t/ensoniq-esq1-sounds-distorted-with-high-harmonics/8526/2 "2025-03-07T14:28:05Z")

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I didn’t hear any distortion, but most synths can’t faithfully reproduce ultra low or sounds over 10khz.

capacitors timing out is one reason why sounds can’t be reproduced properly, but  
do a system reset first?