If I wanted to have a good channel about synthesizers, I would probably learn from you what makes a good channel: this mixture of nostalgia, specialist knowledge, humor and musical contributions. It's always a pleasure to watch your videos.
I'm a harpsichordist. Never owned a synth in my life but I absolutely love the content and music on this channel. Keep it up. Speaking of which, would be excited to view more material from Geert Van Schlanger. Geert's insight into the fine arts is so tantalizing.
…“Why why? Tell 'em that it's human nature“… it’s so funny how some standard chord progressions evoke lyrics of well known classics, despite being used a thousand times at other places before…
+1 re: Solus Sines track!! 🔥 such an inspiring and beautiful track @alexballmusic. 👏 and great review, too. Seems like a decent value if u can find one.
I started working at a music instrument store here in NZ a couple of months ago and just today had an idea to set up a display of a K Odyssey and B 2600 up together as a giant 5osc beast as a nice "ARP History" zone. What a coincidence alongside this great video! Cheers for making it 🎹
Oh, man! That song in the beginning is so great! Also, found you on Spotify. Love your music and videos, including those documentaries. Well done! Thank you!
Alex, you're a gem. This is such a great deep dive into the Solus, and your video / music production techniques just keep getting better. Loved all the jams, loved the analysis of what makes this a special synth, and I love that you share with us the obviously large place that ARP has in your heart. ARP really was cut short at the peak of their power. I would like for us all to have been able to experience what they would have done through the 80s and 90s with some better business management.
Having seen all of your fascinating documentaries, and with the link to ARP (the cruise being modified and relabelled as the Quartet) I would absolutely love a documentary about SIEL They've been forgotten mostly, but my little Mono is a beast and I would be fascinated to see the company given the Alex Ball treatment!
Such a great moment whenever I'm wondering what to watch over breakfast and I see a new vid from you, Alex. You know how to squeez noiz, as evidenced in that final demo. I was vaguely aware of the Solus but didn't know anything about it. Interestingly, I could hear *some* difference between those filters, despite being 58. Maybe there's hope :)
One interesting thing about the SOLUS is the work-around of it only having one ADSR. The VCA boosts when you are raising the ADSR->VCF modulation fader - much as you would set the VCF-ADSR at 50% and theVCA-ADSR at 70% on a synth with 2 ADSR. This compensates well for it only having one ADSR and is as far as I know the only synth with this great solution.
Let's hope Korg will reissue this and a few other ARP synths. Since acquiring the 2600M i really can't live without it. ARP made some of the most beautiful synths ever.
Alex, I *love* your nerdy nitty gritty into chips and filter slopes, circuits employed, et cetera. Your filter comparison was fascinating. One element you do not mention is the Avatar resonance is louder and more piercing, confirmed by your helpful graphs indicating an approximate 5dB+ boost in amplitude versus Solus's resonance. I much prefer the Solus resonance behavior - easier on my ears, less searing. This investigation inspired curiosity of how resonance character compares within all the Odyssey iterations... I did not know Odyssey V1 was a 12db filter. Very cool sleuth work. And my-oh-my that sync and ring mod is bloody awesome. Stellar demonstration in their qualities. 8:22 Hardest laugh I enjoyed all day. Thank you. 🤣
Alex, you probably don't have time to read every comment, but in case you do... I wasn't aware of this synth, but boy is it cool. Great music and great video as always.
It's probably due to Depeche Mode & Vince Clarke that I still find the 3 octave monosynth my favourite synth format. Oh and the price, I bought a Pro-One for £125 in the late 80s, and an SH-101 for £79 to be driven by an MC-202 linked to a 606 for rhythm and me on a CZ1000 for 4 note poly pads captured on a Fostex X-15. I'm sure it's why I bought one o' them BARP Odd-at-seas? Gorgeous trip as always down memory lane Mr Ball, thank you.
There are a few older synths with this filter concept - full open only works when filter envelope is at max, it is an interesting quirk. Loved that sine wave track, really beautiful.
Ha, you're a talented gearhead and a Kimi fan! Although Kimi's best (one of many) moment was the "I was having a $#!t" comment before the start of the 2006 Brazilian GP.
Some truly lovely tones from this synth! Very very Vince Clarke Chorus album vibes in places... Maybe that's the Arp 2600 influence on this? Anyway.sounded magic!
After watching this I got inspired to go try my Oddy's ring modulator. I'd never gotten the wild screams out of it, but after watching your demo on the Solus, I spent a good half hour just making the thing whine, ring, and scream! Hard to tame the Oddy! Now I wish I could get all the ARP synths!
Top content once again. Not often my ribs hurt after a synth review. Sadly, as far as that fixed 4075 chip goes... I really IZ old. Sucks! 😒 Always wanted an Odyssey, as a huge Billy Currie fan growing up. I have a Korg one now and...the signal path and layout screw with my brain, raised on the Moog/Roland standard layout, so it sits in its case mostly. ARP made lovely machines and they sound really fab though.
I always liked the ARP sound, although I never owned one. I did finally buy the Behringer Odyssey and I like it better than the Minimoog I used to own. I like the way ARPS mix with other instruments.
I think I'd seen the Solus mentioned a few times, but I never saw or heard one before today. Thank you for the great demo and historical context! Those VCOs sound so juicy and the ring mod is insane!!!!! These are going for upward of $1800 at Reverb now, so maybe we should let Uli know we'd like him to clone this little gem.
I've had one for about a dozen years; it's got a special "angry+psych" swirly-aggro lead character only found in a few (and rather expen$ive) other vintage synths. Even my '72 tonus 2600 isn't as gnarly in the the high freqs. The only analog synths I've heard that can get much more crass are modulars like serge or metasonix.
This was the very first synth I owned. Bought it from a friend for $75. Had it for about three years, sold it, and then my girlfriend found a completely different synth for sale in the local paper and went to buy it for me. She came home with my original Solus. Like a fool, again I sold it a few years later. Man I miss that synth.
I love how you use the System 100M to modulate synths, wish I had (or could be bothered) to get a great modular setup like that. Must be fun putting all the wires in but a bit out of my price range for now.
Yes! One of the coolest things about it is that it's a wall of audio signals, control signals and signal routing that can interface with whatever you bring to it.
love the compact lidded build and front facing voltage jacks on the Solus, bought one for these reasons plus the sharp looks, and low price at the time. But when I played it, I couldn't get over all the missing features from my Odyssey. It made no sense to keep both, so the little tolex cutie had to go.
I've had one of these in here since about 2011. Brilliant little thing :) Very compact with one of the most direct, 'to the point' monosynth designs ever; but also quite flexible w/ a superior CV I/O arrangement compared to most synths used as a modular keyboard. Does roughly 85-90% what a minimoog can, and another 25% that it can't This little fuk'r has "that" saturated, rolling-VCO sizzling lead character that jumps out of the speaker like a minimoog, EMS synthi or system100 does. It's great for writing and tracking in any size setup because It fits most anywhere. Unlike other synths it's not designated a spot on a stand to stay put, and the built in road-case means the Solus can become a functional furniture when you aren't using it for music ;O)
I always like your original playing, Alex. But it seemed particularly inspired on this one. I'd listen to full-length tracks of the first two songs all day. You must've really liked the Solus. Actually, I'd listen to the sines one all day too.
@@AlexBallMusic Fun fact about me: I speak Finnish. My parents are Finnish. I was born and raised in Sweden, but since I cheer for Finland in ice hockey, it kind of decides what I am also.
I've got one here - it indeed produces the gnarliest ringmod sound of any synth I've owned. Truly 'ear-ripping'. For some reason VSE and other sites state that the Solus' ringmod is digital - which I suppose could be true, but makes no practical sense as analog ringmod is a very simple (passive, iirc?) circuit.
@@shaft9000 too difficult make one digital function of an analog synth at the end of the 70's. Remember that the Yamaha DX7 came out on the market several years after. It 's impossible...😜
Why is every video you make so damn good? Seriously though, stop it! Leave some room for..... Well actually, no, ignore us. Keep making videos, please...
The Solus has long fascinated me as far as monosynths go. I have long imagined that I would sooner get a 2600 than a Solus. There were a few people that were still building non-programmable monophonic models in 1980. Didn’t they include Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Moog Music, Coomer and Sequential (Circuits)?
When you opened up with that first riff, my ears perked up like curious prairie dogs on the great plains.
Cheers!
Totally. Amazing comment 😆
@@aekoit was the perfect comment
I still have mine! Bought it in 1979.
After decades I'm finally old enough for both filters to sound the same to me.
Sorry for your (hearing) loss.
@@AlexBallMusic 🤪
@@AlexBallMusicwe got a comedian over here, fellas
@@AlexBallMusic 😆😆😆😆
If I wanted to have a good channel about synthesizers, I would probably learn from you what makes a good channel: this mixture of nostalgia, specialist knowledge, humor and musical contributions. It's always a pleasure to watch your videos.
I'm a harpsichordist. Never owned a synth in my life but I absolutely love the content and music on this channel. Keep it up.
Speaking of which, would be excited to view more material from Geert Van Schlanger. Geert's insight into the fine arts is so tantalizing.
Geert is a true man of culture.
I hear Interpol has a warrant out for Gert so he's keeping his head down
Harpsichord? So you love a damn good plucking?
@@AlexBallMusic He likes to pluck his brains out. 🧠
@@AlexBallMusic Let's try again: This person is on the plectrum spectrum. 🤔
Alex I loved the Arp Sines demo. What a lovely tune. I want that as my alarm and wake up to warm synth bliss every day.
Thanks!
…“Why why? Tell 'em that it's human nature“… it’s so funny how some standard chord progressions evoke lyrics of well known classics, despite being used a thousand times at other places before…
Your Sines song is pure bliss ! I love My Solus too, is in the #500 series, didn't knew so few were made...
I wondered if any owners would appear. Still not seen anything above the 700s. Wouldn't be surprised if that was about all they made.
+1 re: Solus Sines track!! 🔥 such an inspiring and beautiful track @alexballmusic. 👏 and great review, too. Seems like a decent value if u can find one.
Yayy - you did the 4075 compare!! Awesome 🎉
We have a very clear answer too. 🤓
@@AlexBallMusic oh yeah. I expect a big rush on people who want their Odys and Omnis modded now 🤣
@@AlisonCassidy I want my Avatar done, yeah! Quite the difference.
I’ve done the mod on my MkII. Makes a big difference.
Do you have a link to how to mod the Avatars filter, to open it up fully?
I started working at a music instrument store here in NZ a couple of months ago and just today had an idea to set up a display of a K Odyssey and B 2600 up together as a giant 5osc beast as a nice "ARP History" zone. What a coincidence alongside this great video! Cheers for making it 🎹
You had me at that Solus Sines song. 😘 I may remix it some day! 🤓
Please share, if you do!
I've owned my Arp Solus since 1985. Although it no longer works, it was an amazing sound generator in it's time.
Absolutely love "SOLUS SINES", a subtle little gem of music there.
Oh, man! That song in the beginning is so great! Also, found you on Spotify. Love your music and videos, including those documentaries. Well done! Thank you!
Outstanding demo tunes, as always!
Thanks!
That sines is just pure vibes and quite nostalgic to listen to. Great video about an underrated synth that I didn't know about.
Ya can basically pre-like these videos, before even watching, cos you know they gonna be GREAT!
Alex, you're a gem. This is such a great deep dive into the Solus, and your video / music production techniques just keep getting better. Loved all the jams, loved the analysis of what makes this a special synth, and I love that you share with us the obviously large place that ARP has in your heart. ARP really was cut short at the peak of their power. I would like for us all to have been able to experience what they would have done through the 80s and 90s with some better business management.
As always, super content. The highlight being guidance on approaching the school crush 30 years later, which was just invaluable.
Having seen all of your fascinating documentaries, and with the link to ARP (the cruise being modified and relabelled as the Quartet) I would absolutely love a documentary about SIEL
They've been forgotten mostly, but my little Mono is a beast and I would be fascinated to see the company given the Alex Ball treatment!
Nice video as usual Alex :) And the last demo of the Solus ("Friends") sounds really juicy!
I'd recommend Alex's albums to anyone who hasn't listened to them yet. Only on streaming AFAIK.
Thanks! New album out next week. 😀
@@AlexBallMusicaren’t you on Bandcamp too? ( excellent channel here by the way!)
Thanks loads, Alex! I had heard about this little beastie but knew nothing about it. What a fantastic sounding beast! Great Vid!
Cheers Andy! Thought it worth a video given the rarity.
@@AlexBallMusic Is this actually your Solus, Alex?
i always get pumped for parts like 8:29 in these videos. that little jam is so nice i like hearing them :)
Such a great moment whenever I'm wondering what to watch over breakfast and I see a new vid from you, Alex. You know how to squeez noiz, as evidenced in that final demo. I was vaguely aware of the Solus but didn't know anything about it. Interestingly, I could hear *some* difference between those filters, despite being 58. Maybe there's hope :)
Great! Love the introduction to the really nasty ring modulator at 4:45!
Yeah, quite the fizz and clang on that ring mod.
One interesting thing about the SOLUS is the work-around of it only having one ADSR. The VCA boosts when you are raising the ADSR->VCF modulation fader - much as you would set the VCF-ADSR at 50% and theVCA-ADSR at 70% on a synth with 2 ADSR. This compensates well for it only having one ADSR and is as far as I know the only synth with this great solution.
6:03 excellent advice, noted.
Let's hope Korg will reissue this and a few other ARP synths. Since acquiring the 2600M i really can't live without it. ARP made some of the most beautiful synths ever.
This has, to my ears the most SID sounding oscillators. The PWM, and the SYNC to me are all very C64ish. Nice.
Are you excited for the Chipsynth C64 plugin?
You, sir, have perfected your style of videoing. Sehr sehr gut! 🍒
Great tracks and I had never of the Solus.
I totally agree with that praetor dog comment; it’s spot on.
Alex, I *love* your nerdy nitty gritty into chips and filter slopes, circuits employed, et cetera. Your filter comparison was fascinating. One element you do not mention is the Avatar resonance is louder and more piercing, confirmed by your helpful graphs indicating an approximate 5dB+ boost in amplitude versus Solus's resonance. I much prefer the Solus resonance behavior - easier on my ears, less searing. This investigation inspired curiosity of how resonance character compares within all the Odyssey iterations... I did not know Odyssey V1 was a 12db filter. Very cool sleuth work.
And my-oh-my that sync and ring mod is bloody awesome. Stellar demonstration in their qualities.
8:22 Hardest laugh I enjoyed all day. Thank you. 🤣
5:59 so this is where I’ve been going wrong. Good advice. Nice find!
This thing smacks. Grats to everyone who can tease this beauty once in a while.
jus love the dissident tones of this guy, thats what I try to get...tonal yet percussive, really like this one!!!
Alex, you probably don't have time to read every comment, but in case you do... I wasn't aware of this synth, but boy is it cool. Great music and great video as always.
This sounds great 😊
It's probably due to Depeche Mode & Vince Clarke that I still find the 3 octave monosynth my favourite synth format. Oh and the price, I bought a Pro-One for £125 in the late 80s, and an SH-101 for £79 to be driven by an MC-202 linked to a 606 for rhythm and me on a CZ1000 for 4 note poly pads captured on a Fostex X-15. I'm sure it's why I bought one o' them BARP Odd-at-seas? Gorgeous trip as always down memory lane Mr Ball, thank you.
MC 202 was crazy !
There are a few older synths with this filter concept - full open only works when filter envelope is at max, it is an interesting quirk. Loved that sine wave track, really beautiful.
Ha, you're a talented gearhead and a Kimi fan!
Although Kimi's best (one of many) moment was the "I was having a $#!t" comment before the start of the 2006 Brazilian GP.
Classic Kimi.
the comedy is just so on point alex, keep it up
I love the ARP Solus. It’s a powerful little beast 🎹
Another excellent video! My model 2351 is in the early #200s. First ARP synth that I ever acquired
Still waiting for anything beyond a 700 serial. Relatively rare.
Some truly lovely tones from this synth! Very very Vince Clarke Chorus album vibes in places... Maybe that's the Arp 2600 influence on this? Anyway.sounded magic!
After watching this I got inspired to go try my Oddy's ring modulator. I'd never gotten the wild screams out of it, but after watching your demo on the Solus, I spent a good half hour just making the thing whine, ring, and scream! Hard to tame the Oddy! Now I wish I could get all the ARP synths!
Amigo excelente que sigas trayendo estás joyas para que la gente pueda conocerlo gran labor, saludos desde México 🇲🇽❤
Rolamd R5 (I have one!) and a Raikkonen reference?? Made my morning mate!
Hello Alex: You never disappoint. Good job. Stay well and safe.
I don't have Arp's final monosynth, but I'm loving Dave Smith's final monosynth. In both cases, the last one was fantastic.
pro3?
@@xfghffhfgYes, it's the last synth he finished before his tragically unexpected death.
Great music and review. Thank you.
Top content once again. Not often my ribs hurt after a synth review. Sadly, as far as that fixed 4075 chip goes... I really IZ old. Sucks! 😒 Always wanted an Odyssey, as a huge Billy Currie fan growing up. I have a Korg one now and...the signal path and layout screw with my brain, raised on the Moog/Roland standard layout, so it sits in its case mostly. ARP made lovely machines and they sound really fab though.
Great work as always. I think I want one of these now. Damn.
sometimes im like they are giving it to me in different tones but I hear more layers but love what he's doing
I had one to play with for a couple of weeks before it was donated to the ARPArchives.
Just watching the beginning of this no doubt brilliant video and just wanted to say that the opening track is pretty awesome 👏
Thank you!
I always liked the ARP sound, although I never owned one. I did finally buy the Behringer Odyssey and I like it better than the Minimoog I used to own. I like the way ARPS mix with other instruments.
I loved my Solus. I miss it dearly 😢
Thanks a lot Alex,not heard one before. Nice little synth.
Thought I'd give it a video given the rarity and the surprisingly good sound.
I think I'd seen the Solus mentioned a few times, but I never saw or heard one before today. Thank you for the great demo and historical context! Those VCOs sound so juicy and the ring mod is insane!!!!! These are going for upward of $1800 at Reverb now, so maybe we should let Uli know we'd like him to clone this little gem.
Yep, they'd got pretty nifty at making little monsynths by 1980. The Solus is pretty potent.
I've had one for about a dozen years; it's got a special "angry+psych" swirly-aggro lead character only found in a few (and rather expen$ive) other vintage synths. Even my '72 tonus 2600 isn't as gnarly in the the high freqs. The only analog synths I've heard that can get much more crass are modulars like serge or metasonix.
What a great sounding little beast.
Thought it deserved a little moment in the spotlight.
Great from start to finish.
This was the very first synth I owned. Bought it from a friend for $75. Had it for about three years, sold it, and then my girlfriend found a completely different synth for sale in the local paper and went to buy it for me. She came home with my original Solus. Like a fool, again I sold it a few years later. Man I miss that synth.
What a crunchy gnarly beast.
It is indeed.
I honestly never heard of this synthesizer before and the comparison between the Solus and the Avatar filter was pretty interesting.
Was kind of worth doing a video just to answer that. I've heard about it, but never had the chance to check and sure enough...
I love how you use the System 100M to modulate synths, wish I had (or could be bothered) to get a great modular setup like that. Must be fun putting all the wires in but a bit out of my price range for now.
Yes! One of the coolest things about it is that it's a wall of audio signals, control signals and signal routing that can interface with whatever you bring to it.
love the compact lidded build and front facing voltage jacks on the Solus, bought one for these reasons plus the sharp looks, and low price at the time. But when I played it, I couldn't get over all the missing features from my Odyssey. It made no sense to keep both, so the little tolex cutie had to go.
My favourite of the three.
Been waiting years to play one.
I've had one of these in here since about 2011. Brilliant little thing :)
Very compact with one of the most direct, 'to the point' monosynth designs ever; but also quite flexible w/ a superior CV I/O arrangement compared to most synths used as a modular keyboard. Does roughly 85-90% what a minimoog can, and another 25% that it can't
This little fuk'r has "that" saturated, rolling-VCO sizzling lead character that jumps out of the speaker like a minimoog, EMS synthi or system100 does.
It's great for writing and tracking in any size setup because It fits most anywhere. Unlike other synths it's not designated a spot on a stand to stay put, and the built in road-case means the Solus can become a functional furniture when you aren't using it for music ;O)
My GAS kicked in, I thought this was a new Korg arp release. Then I saw 1980. lol. Good sounds.
9:00 damn that synth can sing ! nice playing
Very cool synth. Mysterious sounds.
Alex, correct me if I'm wrong, but have you done any Kraftwerk content? I'd love to see some analysis on them.
Dude that track at 9:00 has something extra special to it!
Thanks!
OMG😮 What a sound!!!!!!
Sweet jam.
Time stamp 4:09 wauw that's a nice sine wave pluck
What an opening!
Matron.
I always like your original playing, Alex. But it seemed particularly inspired on this one. I'd listen to full-length tracks of the first two songs all day. You must've really liked the Solus. Actually, I'd listen to the sines one all day too.
Chef’s kiss to SOLUS Sines
dude sayz hes gunna sweep da filta cutoff but dusnt even touch da filta LULZ!
In the words of Kimi Räikkönen...
@@AlexBallMusic Fun fact about me: I speak Finnish. My parents are Finnish. I was born and raised in Sweden, but since I cheer for Finland in ice hockey, it kind of decides what I am also.
intro song is LIT...
Cheers!
Very nearly bought one for £120 in the mid 90s and am kicking myself to this day...
You are an absolute Boss, Alex!
Sounds pretty thicc. Arp made some axxelent synthesizers.
When I heard the ring modulator..I 'm jumped on my chair..!😆
Great aggressive synth.
The osc Sync sounds similar to the JX3P's osc Sync.
Great ring mod, yeah! I was thinking that sync sounded like the Pro~One or Odyssey, I'd forgotten about the 3P. I used to have one of those.
@@AlexBallMusic I don't have Pro One or odissey...I have JX3P boutique too..and sounds similar.
Very metallic.
I've got one here - it indeed produces the gnarliest ringmod sound of any synth I've owned. Truly 'ear-ripping'.
For some reason VSE and other sites state that the Solus' ringmod is digital - which I suppose could be true, but makes no practical sense as analog ringmod is a very simple (passive, iirc?) circuit.
@@shaft9000 too difficult make one digital function of an analog synth at the end of the 70's.
Remember that the Yamaha DX7 came out on the market several years after.
It 's impossible...😜
Magic for the ears.
I am old...so hearing the difference made my day
Nice one Gramps.
Thank you bro
That end beat hits hard!
Nice sound!!
Did you know that the OG KORG Minilogue uses the ARP Solus filter?
Sorry for being a nerd but what is your source for that information? Minilogue has both 2 pole and 4 pole configurations so can’t be both?…
Why is every video you make so damn good? Seriously though, stop it! Leave some room for..... Well actually, no, ignore us. Keep making videos, please...
Cheers Xavier! Thanks for the ongoing support.
give it some love indeed.
I'm taking it to bedroom.
The Solus has long fascinated me as far as monosynths go. I have long imagined that I would sooner get a 2600 than a Solus.
There were a few people that were still building non-programmable monophonic models in 1980. Didn’t they include Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Moog Music, Coomer and Sequential (Circuits)?
dang that Ring Mod is nasty!
I'd love to see it as a bass synth.
Holy Arp Soulless for the filter win!
Yep, turns out that the 4075 was a killer filter after all!
Oh ARP - why oh why did you attempt to make a piano and a guitar synth at the same time? They were never going to work! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
A polysynth was all part of it, but it was abandoned. One more year and the ICs they needed were there. So close, so close!
Was waiting for this one 🙏❤️
Hope you enjoyed!
All synths should come in their own suitcase. Change my mind.
Moog Sonic VI agrees.
I might look a bit silly with a tiny volca keys suitcase
Excellent
Oh, what an organic outro, Mr. "19ahtie".
Cheers Herr Daniel.
Gern geschehen, Herr@@AlexBallMusic