When you opened up with that first riff, my ears perked up like curious prairie dogs on the great plains.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Cheers!

@aeko

7 ай бұрын

Totally. Amazing comment 😆

@PaulBoos

7 ай бұрын

@@aekoit was the perfect comment

@bobbycastaneda9091

6 ай бұрын

I still have mine! Bought it in 1979.

After decades I'm finally old enough for both filters to sound the same to me.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Sorry for your (hearing) loss.

@tonystevenson26

7 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic 🤪

@HiGlowie

6 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusicwe got a comedian over here, fellas

@RaiderWolf-yd6nm

3 ай бұрын

@@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.

@Ishkur23

7 ай бұрын

Geert is a true man of culture.

@Tabazan

7 ай бұрын

I hear Interpol has a warrant out for Gert so he's keeping his head down

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Harpsichord? So you love a damn good plucking?

@cortical1

7 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic He likes to pluck his brains out. 🧠

@cortical1

7 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic Let's try again: This person is on the plectrum spectrum. 🤔

Yayy - you did the 4075 compare!! Awesome 🎉

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

We have a very clear answer too. 🤓

@AlisonCassidy

7 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic oh yeah. I expect a big rush on people who want their Odys and Omnis modded now 🤣

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

@@AlisonCassidy I want my Avatar done, yeah! Quite the difference.

@JimAlfredson

7 ай бұрын

I’ve done the mod on my MkII. Makes a big difference.

@tihinter

7 ай бұрын

Do you have a link to how to mod the Avatars filter, to open it up fully?

Your Sines song is pure bliss ! I love My Solus too, is in the #500 series, didn't knew so few were made...

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

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.

@huddlesteam

3 ай бұрын

+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.

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.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@tihinter

7 ай бұрын

…“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…

You had me at that Solus Sines song. 😘 I may remix it some day! 🤓

@nerfytheclown

7 ай бұрын

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.

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 🎹

Outstanding demo tunes, as always!

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Thanks!

This sounds great 😊

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.

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!

That sines is just pure vibes and quite nostalgic to listen to. Great video about an underrated synth that I didn't know about.

Nice video as usual Alex :) And the last demo of the Solus ("Friends") sounds really juicy!

6:03 excellent advice, noted.

Absolutely love "SOLUS SINES", a subtle little gem of music there.

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.

Great music and review. Thank you.

You, sir, have perfected your style of videoing. Sehr sehr gut! 🍒

Great work as always. I think I want one of these now. Damn.

Hello Alex: You never disappoint. Good job. Stay well and safe.

i always get pumped for parts like 8:29 in these videos. that little jam is so nice i like hearing them :)

Amigo excelente que sigas trayendo estás joyas para que la gente pueda conocerlo gran labor, saludos desde México 🇲🇽❤

Thanks loads, Alex! I had heard about this little beastie but knew nothing about it. What a fantastic sounding beast! Great Vid!

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Cheers Andy! Thought it worth a video given the rarity.

@MisAnnThorpe

7 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic Is this actually your Solus, Alex?

the comedy is just so on point alex, keep it up

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!

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Yeah, quite the fizz and clang on that ring mod.

Great from start to finish.

I'd recommend Alex's albums to anyone who hasn't listened to them yet. Only on streaming AFAIK.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Thanks! New album out next week. 😀

@bernardryan475

7 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusicaren’t you on Bandcamp too? ( excellent channel here by the way!)

You are an absolute Boss, Alex!

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!

Was waiting for this one 🙏❤️

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Hope you enjoyed!

This has, to my ears the most SID sounding oscillators. The PWM, and the SYNC to me are all very C64ish. Nice.

@jackcimino8822

7 ай бұрын

Are you excited for the Chipsynth C64 plugin?

Another excellent video! My model 2351 is in the early #200s. First ARP synth that I ever acquired

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Still waiting for anything beyond a 700 serial. Relatively rare.

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.

Thank you bro

Thanks a lot Alex,not heard one before. Nice little synth.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

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.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Yep, they'd got pretty nifty at making little monsynths by 1980. The Solus is pretty potent.

@shaft9000

7 ай бұрын

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.

As always, super content. The highlight being guidance on approaching the school crush 30 years later, which was just invaluable.

Just watching the beginning of this no doubt brilliant video and just wanted to say that the opening track is pretty awesome 👏

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Ya can basically pre-like these videos, before even watching, cos you know they gonna be GREAT!

Nice sound!!

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.

@tonystevenson26

7 ай бұрын

MC 202 was crazy !

Sweet jam.

jus love the dissident tones of this guy, thats what I try to get...tonal yet percussive, really like this one!!!

The jam (Solus Sines) before the patron-part was something special. It somehow brought forth a feeling of nostalgia for myself. Which is interesting, because I didn't actually know about this synth until this video drops...

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Thanks! Thought I'd show its prettier side.

What a great sounding little beast.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Thought it deserved a little moment in the spotlight.

5:59 so this is where I’ve been going wrong. Good advice. Nice find!

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.

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!

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.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Classic Kimi.

This thing smacks. Grats to everyone who can tease this beauty once in a while.

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.

Rolamd R5 (I have one!) and a Raikkonen reference?? Made my morning mate!

Excellent

Great tracks and I had never of the Solus. I totally agree with that praetor dog comment; it’s spot on.

That end beat hits hard!

I love the ARP Solus. It’s a powerful little beast 🎹

OMG😮 What a sound!!!!!!

My favourite of the three.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Been waiting years to play one.

I loved my Solus. I miss it dearly 😢

Magic for the ears.

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!

Najs jamz n thnks 4 d info ^__

What a crunchy gnarly beast.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

It is indeed.

Thats a damn cool intro track :D

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Cheers!

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.

@jamaharon

7 ай бұрын

pro3?

@ToyKeeper

7 ай бұрын

@@jamaharonYes, it's the last synth he finished before his tragically unexpected death.

9:00 damn that synth can sing ! nice playing

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 had one to play with for a couple of weeks before it was donated to the ARPArchives.

Chef’s kiss to SOLUS Sines

What an opening!

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Matron.

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.

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 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.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

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.

I honestly never heard of this synthesizer before and the comparison between the Solus and the Avatar filter was pretty interesting.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

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...

Dude that track at 9:00 has something extra special to it!

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Thanks!

give it some love indeed.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

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!

Muito show men

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

intro song is LIT...

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Cheers!

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)

Time stamp 4:09 wauw that's a nice sine wave pluck

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'd love to see it as a bass synth.

Do you publish the intro tracks? Sounds great. Also, great content as usual.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Cheers. I need to get the latest batch up on Bandcamp. I put them (and the stems) on Patreon.

@Roberto_MR

7 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic great to know that. Thanks

I love when I get interesting synth nerd information, and really good demo jams. But what makes this one special is the bonus hearing test. Thanks, Alex. I’m not old, yay!

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.

what a pearler !

My GAS kicked in, I thought this was a new Korg arp release. Then I saw 1980. lol. Good sounds.

Sounds pretty thicc. Arp made some axxelent synthesizers.

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.

That intro song slaps homie

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

Cheers!

I'm 60 and I couldn't hear it on the first two. But I heard it on the third one.

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.

@AlexBallMusic

7 ай бұрын

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.

@Sandelec-gm2cl

7 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic I don't have Pro One or odissey...I have JX3P boutique too..and sounds similar. Very metallic.

@shaft9000

7 ай бұрын

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.

@Sandelec-gm2cl

7 ай бұрын

@@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...😜