ES-5 - Introduction
The ES-5 is an expansion module for the Expert Sleepers ES-3 Lightpipe/CV Interface, ES-8 USB Audio Interface, ES-9 USB Audio Interface, or ES-10 ADAT Interface.
It piggybacks on one of the host module's stereo channels to provide eight gate/clock/sync/MIDI outputs on the ES-5 itself, plus further expansion headers to connect up to six expansion modules e.g. the ESX-8GT Gate Expander, the ESX-8CV CV Expander or the ESX-8MD MIDI/DINsync Expander.
Specifications
The ES-5's specifications are as follows:
- Panel width: 4HP
- Module depth: 49mm
- Digital input: connection from ES-3, ES-8, ES-9, or ES-10 module
- Analogue outputs: 8x 3.5mm jacks, DC-coupled
- Output voltages: 0V/5V
- Indicators: illuminated jack sockets
- Expansion
- 6 headers for connecting expansion modules e.g. the ESX-8GT
- Current draw: 8mA on the +12V rail, 0mA on the -12V rail
The front panel is drilled for both Doepfer and Analogue Systems mounting holes (using a 'slot' rather than a single round hole). The power connector is a Doepfer standard 16 way IDC, with -12V furthest from the top of the board.
Note that connection to the ES-3 is by a simple plug-in cable for the ES-3 mk2 and above. The original ES-3 requires some soldering to add the required connections.
For more detail, please see the user manual.
ES-5 mk3
February 2017 sees the launch of the "ES-5 mk3". Functionally equivalent to the ES-5 mk2, the mk3 adds illuminated jack sockets, and matches the look of the ES-8 and the other Feb'17 updates.
ES-5 mk2
From February 2014, the ES-5 is shipping in a revised "mk2" form, matching the look of the ESX-8GT mk2. There are no functional differences between the ES-5 mk1 and mk2.
Software Requirements
Unlike the ES-3 itself, the ES-5 requires particular software in order to generate meaningful output signals. Currently, the only such software is the 'ES-5 Controller' plug-in, part of Expert Sleepers Silent Way, and our Max/MSP external (see below).
Silent Way is available in AudioUnit, VST & AAX formats for Mac OS X and Windows. Use of Silent Way therefore requires a compatible host application (DAW).
A Silent Way licence is not included with the ES-5 - however, the ES-5 Controller plug-in functions in a licence-free mode, so ES-5 users are not forced to buy Silent Way. Such users can than evaluate the rest of the Silent Way suite in demo mode.
Max/MSP External
We provide an 'external' for Max/MSP to enable users of Max to easily integrate the ES-5 into their patchers. This can be downloaded from the downloads page.
VCV Rack Plug-in
 | A free plug-in for VCV Rack is available to ease integration of the ES-5 into the Rack environment. |