The ES-5 is an expansion module for the Expert Sleepers ES-3, ES-8 or ES-9. 

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, the ESX-8CV or the ESX-8MD. 

The ES-5's specifications are as follows:

• Panel width: 4HP
• Module depth: 49mm
• Digital input: connection from ES-3, ES-8 or ES-9 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.

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.

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.