Solaris keyboard - specifications

[marzzz]

Last time I went to Vegas I couldn't find any blackjack tables on the strip- there was maybe one $25/50 table, several $100, and everything else was poker-something-or-other! But I understand the room rates are pretty good now....I am going to be there again in June '09.

Scope- hope to see you at NAMM, I will be there from day 1. I have had no experience with the Scope system, so I am not familiar with the Solaris software. I currently own an Andromeda and a StudioElectronics Omega8, but neither respond to Polyphonic Aftertouch (very important to me) so I am always on the lookout for something to possibly replace them. I have heard only a few brief digital-ish sound examples of the Solaris on-line, but I am encouraged by the fact that JB was involved in the Korg Wavestation development. Not that I am looking for wavesequencing per se, but the overall sound of the Wavestation was very big and warm and powerful- which is what I am really looking for in a synth. Example: I really didn't like the Waldorf Q, too harsh and bright for me. Waldorf has even put in OSC modifiers in the Blofeld to soften and warm up the sound. If the Solaris can get the kind of warm, lush, deep, powerful sounds I crave, then everything else would be gravy!

Happy Holidays!

[John Bowen]

John,
There was a question over at VSE about the Hard sync; whether multimode was the only filter type available for that function. Someone was curious about hard syncing the P5 OSC type.
Will this be available during the initial release? If not is it on the planned to-do list for future OS updates? Finally, I vaguely recall a discussion here about Hard vs. Soft sync ( like on the AX-80 et al.)

I think you mean MultiMode Osc, not filter type...anyway, the coder first wanted to perfect hard sync code for the saw and pulse waveshapes. He also had a test version of Sine wave sync, but is not ready to include that in the first release. As for hard sync using the CEM (Prophet 5) Osc model, I know we discussed it, and if he has time, he will try to get it into v1.0....but if not, it will definitely be there later on. Any soft sync functions will have to be explored in future updates as well.

john b.

[scope4live]

Mopho, Blofeld, etc.
Great for the guys at home.
These modifiers do nothing IMO. The second Sub in Mopho is a typical way to try and add fullness. Just one decent Sub would do the trick me thinks.
But hey, the names of these show you the market target.
I use Studio Electronics myself. I wouldn't go replacing that one just because of PAT though.
All I can say is once you and I hear 4 Oscillators @ 96k, price will be inconsequential.
I already have been convinced for the last few years of the 44.1k sound of older DSP chips.
I will also be at Infinite Responses booth to see if 16,000 is better than 127, and would love to see their version of PAT in action.
I have learned to distinguish between VSTi's and their cute jpeg.'s, etc.
Authorized, Ultimate, etc. are excellent warnings for those in the know of real sound synthesis.
I shall enjoy watching others cower at the awesome sound and Truth Serum of a John Bowen synth.

BTW, next June don't take the guided tour. Go off strip where the action is.
Palms, Rio, Station Casinos, etc. all have imported talent, and 5 to 500 single deck tables.
The strip is full of Rompler Room bands and shoe decks.
We even use real synthesizers there. but occasional Receptors are allowed if their VSTi choices are wise.

Happy New Year My Brotha's.

[marzzz]

Mopho, Blofeld, etc. Great for the guys at home.These modifiers do nothing IMO. The second Sub in Mopho is a typical way to try and add fullness. Just one decent Sub would do the trick me thinks.

Agreed. I was never one for subOSCs anyway, would rather have the actual OSC and tune it an octave down!

I use Studio Electronics myself. I wouldn't go replacing that one just because of PAT though.

I bug the St. Regis brothers on a semi-annual basis about their promise to include PolyAT response in the Omega OS 3.0 update. It has been promised but they haven't gotten around to it. I have a Kurz MIDIBoard (and I am looking at the VAX77) because PolyAT is very much a part of how I play. It is now a deal-killer for me, the A6 will probably go eventually because it lacks, and the Prophet '08 is a distinct possibility because it responds to it.

All I can say is once you and I hear 4 Oscillators @ 96k, price will be inconsequential. I already have been convinced for the last few years of the 44.1k sound of older DSP chips.

I am looking forward to it- like I have said previously, it is the quality of sound I am interested in, no matter how it is supplied. I do tend toward real analog because of it, but I am not looking for specific emulation.

BTW, next June don't take the guided tour. Go off strip where the action is. Palms, Rio, Station Casinos, etc. all have imported talent, and 5 to 500 single deck tables. The strip is full of Rompler Room bands and shoe decks. We even use real synthesizers there. but occasional Receptors are allowed if their VSTi choices are wise.

Funny you should mention, but I stayed at the Rio last time and didn't bother to gamble. Next trip is to Caesars, but it is not my choice. I have stayed at the Station Casinos, they are quite nice because they aren't on the strip. But sometimes you just have to be on the strip! ROMpler Room- LOL!!!!

Happy New Year (hope you have a great gig lined up!)

[John Bowen]

John,
There was a question over at VSE about the Hard sync; whether multimode was the only filter type available for that function. Someone was curious about hard syncing the P5 OSC type.
Will this be available during the initial release? If not is it on the planned to-do list for future OS updates? ...

I think you mean MultiMode Osc, not filter type...anyway, the coder first wanted to perfect hard sync code for the saw and pulse waveshapes. He also had a test version of Sine wave sync, but is not ready to include that in the first release. As for hard sync using the CEM (Prophet 5) Osc model, I know we discussed it, and if he has time, he will try to get it into v1.0....but if not, it will definitely be there later on. Any soft sync functions will have to be explored in future updates as well.

john b.

I am pleased to announce that, as of yesterday, I have a version of the OS with hard sync working on the CEM oscillator!

john b.

[urge]

[scope4live]

Coolness.
HardSynced CEM's w/ Tube Filter + Oberheim......

That DAWg'll Hunt.

[scope4live]

6 days and counting.

[John Bowen]

I will be heading down to Anaheim on Monday, Jan. 12th. Setup for the show is on Wednesday, and Thursday we will be set to go!
If you are on the pre-order list and are able to come by, please make sure you let me know...(Jimmy I know).

See you there,
John b.

[3rdConstruction]

i understand from the specs page that Solaris' keyboard will generate monophonic aftertouch. i thought i had read somwhere that she will respond to polyphonic aftertouch over MIDI. i found this quote earlier in this thread...

• 4. Does Solaris receive polyphonic aftertouch (PAT) messages via MIDI and respond appropriately?

We discussed this while I was back there in October. They said we could - I'll just add PAT as another Source in the menus. (I'm told it can generate a lot of simultaneous midi data, though...)

has this been finalized? will Solaris respond to incoming polyAT? ...forgive me if this has been covered already!

[John Bowen]

We discussed this again this past week. As of yet, it is not coded yet, but I made a point that I expect Solaris to respond to it for the first OS release. They have it on the list!

-john b.

[lotus-eater]

John, I think the answer may be buried somewhere in this thread, but can you tell us what DACs will be used in the Solaris? Are they the same as those used in the Xite-1?

Thanks

[John Bowen]

You want to know what the brand is for the DACs?
I'm looking at my motherboard, but I don't know which parts are the converters....and I probably couldn't read the tiny labels anyway!

I'll have to ask Juergen next time he's in the office.
-jb

[lotus-eater]

I'm a bit curious of the brand, mostly so I can take a look at some specs. Will they be running at 24bit 96khz (I wasn't able to find this info on the specs page)?

Obviously, it's going to sound good, whether going through the analogue outs or via S/PDIF into a high-end DAC, like apogee, prism sound, etc., I'm just trying to get a rough (very rough) idea of the difference one can expect. Basically just as much info as one can glean from specs alone.

Not long ago I 'upgraded' my audio interface to something with more features, but converters I can tell are not as transparent as the ones in my previous box. Now that I'm convinced my ears can detect the difference, I've become more interested in this aspect of the design.

But don't strain yourself trying to read it off the actual component!

[daveesq]

Hey there, long time lurker, finally posting.

I was wondering whether the envelopes are going to be ADSRs or DADSRs. I think I've seen them as both in this thread. Also, I was wondering whether there was any chance, either at release or later-on, of there being envelopes available with more than one Decay/Sustain group, to allow for more complex curves. IIRC, the Waldorf Blofeld, e.g., has the A-D1-S1-D2-S2-R type available on at least a couple of its envelopes.

Just wondering,

David