Solaris Synth announced

John Bowen · Post by **John Bowen** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 4:19 am

Hi,
I'd like to announce the first synth in my 'signature series', called Solaris.

Incorporating the best ideas from my previous synths (starting with the Orion Custom), plus some additions as requested by the beta testers, the Solaris is the most full-featured synth I've designed to date.
The signal sources provide a wide variety of choices: Multimode Oscs, Wave Tables, CEMs, RD Modules, WAV (sample) playback...even create your own with the Modular sections!
More flexibility is added with the four filter sections, all mixed in parallel. Each section is labeled as to filter type (LP, HP, BP, or Comb), but these can each be replaced with any filter from the RD Module group. Likewise for the 5 envelopes.
4 LFOs (one a "Super Mod Oscillator", or SMO) provide movement to the oscillators, filters, or panning positions; MM Osc 2 can be also used as a SMO, and all are synchronisable to MIDI Clocks. Stereo Flanger and Delay, a 3 band EQ, Distortion, and Stereo Effects Insert rack complete the signal processing pallet.
The Step Sequencer is taken from my Pro One model, with the variable length (step number) feature, adding variable clock division as well as a separate envelope Level and Time page.
There's much, much more; I'll be posting additional details in the coming weeks. I'm very excited about this new addition to the 'family'.
The Solaris will be available March 1; Price will be $199. A Demo version will also be available.

(And let me say right away, sorry if you don't like the graphics

)

[ This Message was edited by: John Bowen on 2003-02-21 04:21 ]

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 6:46 am

(And let me say right away, sorry if you don't like the graphics )

Actually, I like this more then the Python. And it sounds like a real mega-synth. Is it very DSP hungy?

Oh, on a side note...is the Pro One update still going to happen? I'm craving for an updated presetlist for the thing (still having crashes when opening my own presets). I remember it was supposed to be coming sometime in januari or februari...? PLEASE!?

samplaire · Post by **samplaire** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 8:12 am

After such great releases (sorry, I can't afford most of John's great synths and that's my problem) I like seeing:

John Bowen
Budding Pulsarian

Isn't it funny?
Once I asked you Pulsarians if some of us should have bigger names by default. Do you agree with me? If so let's make an off topic thread about it.

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 10:15 am

Yeah, sadly John doesn't really join in in the PlanetZ community other than to inform us of news from Zargmusic. Which is a shame but I'm sure the man has loads of work to do so...

[ This Message was edited by: King of Snake on 2003-02-21 12:00 ]

John Bowen · Post by **John Bowen** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 11:17 am

Hi there!

Of COURSE it's DSP hungry! I use the 'disable DSP' approach wherever possible, so the DSP usage will vary from preset to preset...but if you are running a couple sets of oscillators, several filters, and multiple envelopes, well....it gets 'busy'.

RE: the Pro One - yes, I'll have an update for it soon (sorry about that). You are right, I had expected to release it by now, but I kinda got carried away with this Solaris design - it was a lot of fun to do!

Regards,
John B

P.S. BTW, the Solaris 'brushed metal' look and logo were created by Stephen Hummel

Actually, I like this more then the Python. And it sounds like a real mega-synth. Is it very DSP hungy?

Oh, on a side note...is the Pro One update still going to happen? I'm craving for an updated presetlist for the thing (still having crashes when opening my own presets). I remember it was supposed to be coming sometime in januari or februari...? PLEASE!?

[/quote]

samplaire · Post by **samplaire** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 12:31 pm

On 2003-02-21 10:15, King of Snake wrote:
Yeah, sadly John doesn't really join in in the PlanetZ community other than to inform us of news from Zargmusic.

Do the Gurus have to be active all the time

You missunderstood me, King of Snake, I'm afraid

I just wanted us to promote some persons to be at least Pulsar Disciples by default or The Pulsar World Creators (or so). Of course if John Cooper would allow us to do it?

I'm sure John has lots of work!

[ This Message was edited by: samplaire on 2003-02-21 12:34 ]

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 5:24 pm

no I inderstood, I just meant it would have be nice if John could actually drop in a bit more often so he could become a guru Pulsarian by himself

caleb · Post by **caleb** » Sat Mar 01, 2003 7:12 am

Looks like a very nice synth.

I've never bought a John Bowen and I've always been thinking about it, but if I'm going to, it would probably be the Solaris.

Looks extremely flexible.

Python looks quite good as well, but I somehow think I'll struggle to get much out of it.

decimator · Post by **decimator** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 1:22 pm

A Sunday bump sponsored by me !

In short : the best 200 $ I have ever spent on a synth and I've bought a lot !

In short again : this synth is requisite once you buy at least a Pulsar II, I have a Pulsar II and ouch ! I can cope with it tho but fully "loaded", I'am afraid : more than 6 DSPs !

In short again II : it offers so much possibilities and soundscapes and deep sounds that 400 $ wouldn't have been a problem !

This synth requires a buy or die stamp !!

[ This Message was edited by: decimator on 2003-04-27 14:23 ]

deejaysly · Post by **deejaysly** » Sat May 24, 2003 8:31 am

Just purchased the Solaris and had a "play" and here is my small and novice contribution...

The number of presets that come with the Solaris is overwhelming in a very good way. I love it when a device comes with loads of presets!

The Solaris is an absolute MONSTER! The sound is outstanding and the amount of flexibility is amazing! Almost ridiculous!!!

I have been stunned and have also been made speechless by the Solaris!!

I have just made a purchase of a killer device for SFP!

Also, the main reason why I have made the effort to purchase the Zarg devices is because they feel rock solid in the sense that I get a warm feeling alot of effort and detail has gone into all of them. The Solaris has sustained this in a big way!!!

A Pulsar/Scope user would be completely silly not to make this purchase!!!!!!!!!

Well done John!

[ This Message was edited by: deejaysly on 2003-05-24 09:32 ]