That right there is perhaps the best-sounding midlife crisis ever ❤

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

😂

@MeriaDuck

11 ай бұрын

As someone born in 1975 and just enough money that it's dangerous.... 😂 I'm totally not worthy for such an amazing machine.

@vinylarchaeologist

11 ай бұрын

@@MeriaDuck Can relate, but you're looking at it from the wrong angle. Nobody who can afford this is *really* worthy, unless they're a musical genius - and in that case they are probably already making their music on something else with similar results. I think a better angle would be: you're getting to support a guy who is doing something special and great, instead of giving that same money to a big corporation for a car or something.

@anonymoushuman8344

11 ай бұрын

It costs substantially less than a new sports car.

@phd_sound

11 ай бұрын

@@anonymoushuman8344 and it retains its value more

This monstrosity is a straight up nuclear plant control panel and I love it.

@cromulence

10 ай бұрын

They should've called it the T-437 Safety Command Console.

@GudieveNing

3 ай бұрын

Exactly what I thought, "Don't forget to lower the control rods before they go critical!!"

I think the greatest thing about this synth is that you get to feel like a scientist performing a dangerous experiment in a 1950s b-movie when you're working on it.

@Rr0gu3_5uture

11 ай бұрын

I worked for IBM in the 90s and still have my anti-static labcoat. I'd definitely dig it out and wear it when I was playing this thing! Pretend I was a big important, serious sciencey man!😂

@Bhodisatvas

11 ай бұрын

I'd only wear a white lab coat when using it especially if I have visitors 😀

@gladlawson61

11 ай бұрын

You could build your own modular and feel the exact same way.

@bonsaimusic8078

11 ай бұрын

​@@gladlawson61Don't tell me how to feel

@HOLLASOUNDS

11 ай бұрын

This synth has been purchased by mostly Schools and Universities, as a teaching tool.

It's good to know there are at least 60 studios that have a Colossus in them.

This synth is perfect for a electronic music program at a school. One could learn basically everything about synthesis and signal chain on this monster.

@unclepaddy1

5 ай бұрын

I agree 100%! I learned on a Synthi100 in university

Also worth noting that in 1971 the EMS Synthi 100 cost around £6500, equivalent to more that £117K in todays terms. Tom’s Colossus is a bargain!!

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Yep!

The Colossus... when just the transport of your synthesizer costs as much as buying a regular synthesizer.

Wouldn't the world be dull if some people didn't dream big

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

This.

Oh look, there’s a double one… I laughed out loud. Glad I caught that. Especially after that surreal last piece. Beautiful.

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

😉

Having seen this behemoth at Synthfest last year......it is simply staggering in person. And the fact that you have been able to produce this video, demo it in your own style and that Tom let you "borrow" it. We are so very lucky

Magnificent. Isn't it wonderful to know there are instrument makers out there that still have the will to create such masterpieces? Thanks for letting us have a brief look at this awesome synthesiser, Alex! I bet you enjoyed having it in your studio to play with! This has taken some of the concepts of the EMS Synthi 100 and arrived at a place where it can be as raw or as musical as the imagination allows. A brilliant piece of kit!

That synth is absolutely mental. Your Peggio and Helix demos are lovely.

Oh awesome I often see pictures of it but I don't think I've heard it. That thing sounds amazing and you can totally hear the Analogue Solutions signature in there. What a beast.

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

It is glorious, yeah!

I would endlessly listen to an album of the type of music that you have made with this machine toward the end of the video. So beautiful and relaxing!

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Cheers! Nice to experiment with something different.

@davisuture9610

10 ай бұрын

I'd defo play that first track out

Rumor is if you strike the right sounds you will summon the ghost of Keith Emerson. Lovely machine. Thank you for sharing your time with it.

Those filters sound incredible. I'm very pleased that there are eccentric geniuses around who can make these kind of beauties.

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Yeah, he's tweaked the designs I believe. The 2-pole is particularly potent.

Whoa! thats immense, love what looks like a lab oscilloscope bolted into it

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Yeah, that's a nice touch.

That track at the end deserves a release

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

I suspected a pulsing drone might attract a passing Hainbach. 😀

yeah....colossus is the perfect name for this brilliant monster.

It's testament to your musicianship and programming skills that you can make anything resembling actual music using this monster. It looks incredibly intimidating and I'll never complain about my synths having too few LFOs and envelopes ever again.

@HOLLASOUNDS

11 ай бұрын

A master at work.

I'd love to see what it took to get it into the studio.

@JohnLloydDavis

11 ай бұрын

I wonder how they deliver it when you order one!

@brianmorton4127

11 ай бұрын

they make one that is double the size

@thedukeofbreakfast

11 ай бұрын

​@@JohnLloydDavisIf I understand correctly, Tom from Analogue Solutions actually arrives with it, wearing a lab coat, to give it to you. He then presents you with an honorary lab coat of your own. No, seriously!

@LightBranches

11 ай бұрын

@@brianmorton4127 do you mean half the size? There is the Quartz, recently reviewed by @starskycarr

@jasonmoyer

11 ай бұрын

One thing that's neat is that, unlike the 100, they designed it to fit through doorways.

I have to say that the Peggio track was my absolute favourite, but Helix was a close second. As always, great to see these dream synths demonstrated in a more musical way as opposed to a bit of knobtwiddling and talk about how fat the sound is.

Look your 2 minutes in and I"m already in love with the sound of this thing, and Googling the cost. WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!

Utterly spiffing demo, Bubba. I freakin LOVE the sound of this thing. Tom really outdid homself - and everyone else - when he created this thing. Blew my mind when it made its first appearance. Happy synthing! 🥳

it took me 10 minutes to realize this is _not_ a vintage gear review. gorgeous!

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Yep, this unit is about 2 months old. Newest synth I've ever had in my possession.

Ah sir, another massive organ on display. And a fine specimen as well! 😍

@HOLLASOUNDS

11 ай бұрын

Imagine having this at your school? Today kids We are going to learn about synthesizers.

Every living room across the world should have a Colossus unit.

@MirlitronOne

11 ай бұрын

...and every nun needs one.

@gothpuppy1123

11 ай бұрын

@@MirlitronOne And every picnic as well!

@jumpstar9000

10 ай бұрын

The World is so not ready!

@michaelbauers8800

4 ай бұрын

"If you can afford a truck, you can afford a synthesizer" - Moog

@dreamspeeddsp-musik932

Ай бұрын

Yes i need it in my lorry

Love it! Sounds and looks spectacular. 1972 Doctor Who, The Sea Devils, was done with a Synthi 100.

Wow. Fine particles of dust blew out from my studio monitors unless it was actually the cone paper itself. Yes. The world does need the Colossus. It's by far the greatest single invention known to man at this point. The wheel, fire and the Colossus. And not necessarily in that order. Thank you, Alex.

One of those Synths that most people may never ever get to have their hands on, let alone own. And for those (unlucky) many, you've created some incredible demos to listen to and enjoy this beast. One of a kind and despite how overwhelming it is, the musicality you managed to squeeze out is yet again second to none! Totally fell in love with that last demo!

@HOLLASOUNDS

11 ай бұрын

Something Alex missed is that this Synth was intended for schools and Universities.

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

​@@HOLLASOUNDSThe Synthi 100 was. The Colossus is built in a different era and meant for naughtiness.

@HOLLASOUNDS

11 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic I'll take your word for it. 😀

I can't imagine the complexities of designing the circuit boards and wiring ! It's a miracle of engineering.

Gosh! I think I'm in love. Nothing mental about this.

This thing is absolutely gorgeous. There's just so much this thing has to offer. And I love the inclusion of not one but two built in oscilloscopes.

12 oscillators... because why not. Why not indeed?

Dr Forbin is impressed.

It sounds as big as it looks!Gorgeous!

Wow what a beautiful sounding work of electronic art. Thanks Alex for your amazing knowledge and musical talent.

Absolutely fantastic content. You were reverant, honest, and not trying to bill it as the greatest synth in the world. This is a lovely tour of the configuration of modules and controllers coupled with tasteful demos.

Such a beautiful and epic synthesizer.

Imagine 30 EMS made and yet the talk and the desirability - I think you can say there is a serious demand for these. There are some products we have enough of and that we maybe don‘t need more made - like a Dx7. And then again there is this, and maybe we do need more of these. What a wonderful instrument! Thank you for the fantastic demo. All the best, Tobi

Love AS products! I had a Nyborg 12 for a long time, sold it to a friend after getting a fusebox, and their Generator sequencer is amazing as well. One foot in the past while looking towards the future.

Wooow! What an amazing analog monster! Great video!

Amazing synth! Thanks for your work!

Your demos are always really good. Keep em coming!

absolutely fantastic demos

Ahhh, the good old days of the experimental music labs by national radio channels and university around the world: Italy, Germany, Japan, France, U.S.A., U.K...... They all probably have liked this masterpiece!!

That’s clearly an amazing sounding piece of audio gear just to begin with. The bottom end of it had such an ease and firmth.. and the mid range of all the tones were so rich and juicy sounding. No question it will be a sought after piece of gear forever

Oh mate… your videos are ALWAYS a treat. Many thanks, please keep at it!!

Now that's what I called a Synth Space Station! I'd imagine how long it took for you to learn how to use this beast of a synthesizer.

Incredible synth, and definitely feel you've surpassed your high quality bar with your musical demos on this one Alex!

Some of the best demo songs I've heard you do. Brilliant!

It sounds so awesome. All the examples are stellar as usual. Interesting ambient bit at the end.

Wow!! Just WOW!! what a monster... Great demos too

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot!

@stevie-ray2020

11 ай бұрын

.....but there's also a DOUBLE Colossus!!!

Now we’ve got something that would make even the greatest of synthesizers cry patch cables at this incredible instrument that is truly from another world of sound!

Particularly enjoyed the demos for this instrument, especially the intro jam. Awesome job, and great sounds! What a crazy, glorious instrument.

Excellent demonstration/exploration as always, and that last track Helix was so beautiful. It was really special to be able to hear this synth in that way

Sounds amazing, nice demos.

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Thanks!

Amazing synth and some vintage Jupiters have been selling for that sort of money too

Astounding in every way Alex!

The best video explaining the function of the Colossus that I have seen to date, totally inspires me to dream of one day having this majestic instrument, congratulations!

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Hey Ramón! Glad you enjoyed it.

@jumpstar9000

10 ай бұрын

Majestic, haha, that is definitely one way of putting it. What a machine!

I love how knowledgeable you are of every synth you put your analogue mitts on!

Maximum Kudos to Dave Cockerell who designed the EMS Synthi-100!

@Peter_S_

11 ай бұрын

Dave Cockerell created what most people feel outer space is supposed to sound like.

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

The EMS guys are absolute heroes.

@rozzgrey801

11 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic Absolutely. Any chance you could do one of your brilliant documentaries on EMS? We lost Peter Zinovieff last year, but Dave Cockerell is still knocking about, and it could be a last chance to interview the genius behind the VCS3, Akai S-series samplers and several innovative Electro-Harmonix pedals?

That was the best sounding patches I've ever heard. So musical too.

Genuinely brilliant instrument beautifully demo-ed. thank you!

What a phat sounding monster system! And you can also use it for playing battleships.

You might have the greatest studio I've ever seen

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

It's not bad. 😉

This is very good. I always wanted such a sound structure. I really enjoyed it.✌️🙃

Awesome presentation of an awesome synth / monster ❤

Blimey! The thumbnail alone nearly crashed my laptop

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Jpeg girth.

OOOOH LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT etc etc Wowee. First minute is by far the best demo of the Colossus I've seen so far. Nice one Alex 🙌

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Thanks a ton!

what a wonderful synth and well played

Thank you for the presentation. A wonderful piece of analog work of art!

If I ever win the lottery I wont tell anyone but there will be signs.

Very nice

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

😀

Holy moly this thing is awesome, had the whole house shaking with the tone sweeps …absolutely sublime synth.

That’s one Hell of a machine!!! Great video as always Alex!

I saw the Synthi 100 when Tom had it in his garage! At the time it looked cosmetically perfect, but he did say it was a work in progress from a technical perspective. As for your demos, the second one reminded me of the mighty Cabaret Voltaire with those sampled bits of dialogue. Appropriate, since the Cabs are in the news today as some vinyl copies of Taylor Swift's new album have been mispressed with one of their songs on it!

@antitheist2000

11 ай бұрын

I saw it in his garage too 😊 and the mass of wires hanging out the back 😊

@jeffreybarton1297

11 ай бұрын

This can only be an improvement on Taylor's album.

I thought Colossus was of Rhodes, but this is clearly a synth. Then again, the Hydra(synth) does a decent Rhodes, so you never know!

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Hermes is the god of synth deliveries.

Gorgeous video! You deserve your place as {insert word for representative of synth world}, so glad Alex Ball exists and makes videos synths

This is insanity. And the Helix demo is so beautiful

It sounds like the BBC Radiophonic workshop, 1975

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Perfect.

@gothpuppy1123

11 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic Any chance of a cover of the boinkity-boing version of the Doctor Who theme?

I really didn’t want to love the sounds. I tried. But boy… does it sound glorious! I have no space for it, it is way too expensive… it crazy. I wish I had access to it.

@HOLLASOUNDS

11 ай бұрын

Its target buyers are schools, and universities.

@log4p

11 ай бұрын

@@HOLLASOUNDS ok, I’ll have to start a school. clear.

Incredible video, thank you, Alex

What an absolutely delightful and ridiculous monstrosity.

A synth that looks like the control console of a nuclear power plant from the 60ties. Maximum GAS! I need a sedative.😵‍💫

Not a single mention of the Radiophonic Workshop - or Malcolm Clarke's score for the Sea Devils.

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

That wasn't this synth.

@SamLowryDZ-015

11 ай бұрын

@@AlexBallMusic Oh I know but as you said the Collosus is based on that one. (ps. asked my employer if I can switch to a Sunday Paper round)

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

​@@SamLowryDZ-015Sure, but it would be a weird tangent to then discuss music not made by this synth. They have different features and functions too, it's just broadly inspired by it. I would absolutely love to do some videos on EMS synths, they're at the top of the list, so all that stuff can wait for that. Paper round - just take the extra Sunday run and you'll have saved up in no time.

You made a great point at the last exposition point and personally I definitely see you Alex, blessed with your patience and attention to detail, surrounded by kids patching away on this Collossus and teaching the art of sound design on analog subtractive modular matrix based synthesis BUT only on the double one... you only live twice!

Outstanding review and demo!

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Thank you kindly!

sell everything else and buy a colossus? 🤔

Too much of everything is just enough.

What a thing! Really nicely done music examples too.

Another great video @alexball . I appreciate how you included other gear in your jams to show how the Colossus could fit into a studio environment if one had the $$ and physical space.

Your little demos are always great, I really loved that last piece.

@AlexBallMusic

11 ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

Thank you dear Alex for sharing this huge colossus, beauty ❤😊 love cheers 🎹🙏

You had me in the first 5 seconds. KILLER opening track, fattest thing I’ve heard in ages. Sensational!

Fantastic video! As always, thanks

Again, an absolutely tremendous video. Love the "double" bit at the end.

@webup1789

11 ай бұрын

the double is real... Do a KZread search

“Oh look, there’s a double one!” at the end made laugh out loud! 😂

@webup1789

11 ай бұрын

The double is real and on YT

@tweakingtuesday1743

11 ай бұрын

@@webup1789 I know it, for those that find 12 oscillators is just not enough! 😆

Hello Alex: I really like the music you composed at the end. Have a wonderful day.

Amazing mr ball ! Wow what a machine ! Wish I had 1 ! Great stuff