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Solaris

Solaris Click for Closup views
  • 4 Oscillators, each with several types available: MultiMode, WaveTable, CEM, WAV (sample playback), VS (single cycle waves), SuperSaw
  • 4 Filters, each with a dedicated Mixer. Filter types are: Ladder Lowpass, 24, 12, 6, dB, Highpass 24, 12, 6 dB, Bandpass 24 dB, Comb (2 types), State Variable 12 dB LP, HP, BP, and Notch
  • 2 Vector Mixers, 2 Rotors (special 4-step waveshape sequences), 2 AM sections (includes Ring Mod)
  • 6 DADSRs, 2 8-stage loopable envelopes
  • 4 free LFOs, 1 Vibrato LFO. Each has delayed start, fade in, and fade out times, key sync and Phase control
  • Phaser, Chorus, Flanger, Delay, Overdrive, 3-band EQ effects

Hans Zimmer

Hans Zimmer is one of the most successful and influential film composers in Hollywood. Here's what he has to say:

   "If anyone out there can take what we love about the elusive quality of analogue synthesizers and add the inventiveness and versatility that we get from digital, it'll be John. There is no question in my mind he understands that fundamentally the sound has to be true and uncompromised for a bunch of circuits to turn into a musical instrument. There are many synths out there that are fun and even inspiring. But it takes a certain magic and voodoo, a certain set of ears and sonic heart to build something lasting, something timeless."


Recent Audio Examples, Specs Posted

I have noted the requests for sound examples in the Forums, and I've got quite a bit of programming to get to the point that I have sounds representative of those requests! But rest assured, I will get to them (and the Solaris is quite able to produce them). What I'd like to start with are much simpler sounds, and I've done 3 quick examples to show some very specific things. No effects were used, it's just a direct feed from the stereo analogue outputs.

    Here's what I wanted to show:

  1. AM example - Solaris_AM1.wav.

    This is an extremely simple patch, made up of 2 oscillators, no filters, 2 envelopes, and 2 LFOs. Osc 1's amplitude is being modulated by Osc 2, whose output is shaped by an envelope. (The 2nd env is the Amp EG, of course). Since you can modulate each input of a mixer, I have a mixer with Osc 1 coming into 2 of the 4 inputs. The first input is getting modulated by Osc 2, and the second input is modulated by an LFO. Another LFO controls panning.

  2. Lowpass filter with polymod - http://www.johnbowen.com/WavDemos/Solaris_LP11.wav.

    This just because it's an old favorite of mine from my Prophet 5 days. 2 oscillators feeding the ladder-type Lowpass 24 dB filter, with medium resonance. The filter cutoff is modulated by 2 LFOs, one of which is tracking the keyboard, while the other a very slow sweep. A third input provides an envelope to the cutoff. Again a bit of Pan modulation by another LFO.

  3. Panning Modulation at audio rates - http://www.johnbowen.com/WavDemos/Solaris_PanMod.wav.

    Again, another very simple sound, using 2 oscs (sine waves), one with a slight bit of pitch EG (and no filter). The point here is to show how nicely audio rate modulation of the Pan position works - something you won't find on your typical synthesizer. As I hold down the F major chord a few bars in, I start to adjust the Coarse tuning of Osc 4, which is modulating the Pan. At first it's at -60 semitones (sub-audio range), and then I gradually (more or less!) raise it all the way up to +60 semitones. At the end, I again grab Osc 4's Coarse frequency and quickly drop it all the way back down while holding a higher chord.

  4. Someone requested to hear something bright and buzzy, or lots of resonance.

    Here's something using 2 filters in parallel - the MiniLP and the OB Notch filters: http://www.johnbowen.com/WavDemos/MiniLP+OBNotch2.wav.

The Solaris can produce very complicated things, but I wanted to start out with very basic, simple sounds. Now that I've got the basic recording process down, I'll get some more examples up within the next few weeks. (I'm also hoping to have some videos of basic operation available).

-John Bowen


Artist Renditions of Solaris case & endcap colors

Many have asked about the various body colors and end caps under consideration. For artist renditions of current prototype colors and encaps please click here.



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