Is This The Best Ambient Synth EVER MADE??!! (Solar 42 f)

[@nickoricko4564]

I can't thank you enough for putting this video together. So much great info in here to jump start my exploration into the Solar 42. Thanks Miles!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks Nick! enjoy your SOLAR 42 F when it arrives, stoked I could help you learn it :)

[@bondi5000]

@@MilesAwayOfficialsuper helpful for us beginners. If you ever wanted to do a beginners guide featuring even more in Depth overview I would pay $$ for that - you’re teaching style is top drawer by the way. 👌

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@bondi5000 thank you so much!! I actually do coaching sessions over zoom, if that sounds interesting.

[@bondi5000]

@@MilesAwayOfficial yes please!! Let me know how best to contact you directly and I’ll drop you a line 🙏

[@monkeyrevolution1964]

@@MilesAwayOfficial Evil e nasty sounds I am very good indeed with my Roland MC 909 :) 16 álbuns released :) Techno Experimental Industrial Space music my kind of compositions

[@pianoexplorations]

Hi again! I have just watched and listened with great pleasure to your presentation of the Solar 42F. What a wonderful instrument! I remember that as a young man in the 1980s I went to concerts of so-called contemporary classical music, composed at that time in a modern studio in Paris, where outstanding composition graduates from Poland could, if they were lucky and got permission to leave our then deeply communist country, to do postgraduate doctoral studies on a scholarship. At that time I was often one of the last to leave the concert hall, it fascinated me endlessly, others rarely lasted until halfway through the concert. These were things that were not easy to listen to, but fascinating, developing the imagination. And since my youth I listened to the music of JM Jarre, Vangelis and Kitaro, I loved Rick Wakeman. Their recordings were available here. And here, in one small device today there are possibilities to create a whole universe of such sounds, and also to create them live. I am very impressed. And I see that the company comes from our region, from Latvia, but it is Ukrainian-Russian in its roots. This has cultural significance, and also when it comes to Slavic sensitivity to sound. You have made me want this little gem, really! Warmest regards! TT

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks for the great comment and high praise! Appreciate you watching my channel :)

[@VegasoftheNorth]

These are the comments that make me enjoy KZbin 😊

[@aquaticborealis4877]

Pretty crazy experimental synth. Definitely an interesting sonic playground. All hands on too, which emphasizes instrument aspect.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Yep exactly! It's a really interesting philosophy that prioritizes quirks and hands on control of analog components over being traditional. Thanks for watching!

[@megoth]

Love these videos! I'm getting a Solar 42f myself, and am preparing myself to get lost by watching these kinds of inspirational/educational content ^_^

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

That is awesome, enjoy your SOLAR 42f and thanks for watching!

[@tomtebby7408]

Thanks Miles for such an in-depth exploration - love the sounds you created.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@tomtebby7408 thank you for watching!

[@stepsons589]

the best demo of this synth by a mile. learned so much. thank you!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Wow, thanks!

[@stepsons589]

@@MilesAwayOfficial random question but does the solar hold the pitch and tuning of the voices when you turn off and back on/etc?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@stepsons589 pretty well, but not perfectly! its super wild and analogue. Do not get it if you don't like tuning oscs LOL

[@BayMud]

Amazing job! Been tempted by a Solar 42 for a while and this is pushing my further in that direction

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

my pleasure!!

[@benstat]

Thanks

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you so much for supporting the channel!

[@AKDanMusicMan]

18:25 That's a very interesting idea, playing near a window or outside on a partly cloudy day could generate some interesting organic movement from the ambient light.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@AKDanMusicMan it’s super cool! Some really interesting experiences have come from using the light sensors in strange ways like that. I want experiment more

[@Blackgreywhitegold]

Using a portable power source and some portable power speakers you can head out the forest, mountains, beach, street etc. There are battery powered projectors and lights and voilà. Amazing! Check it out. Been doing it since 2008!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@Blackgreywhitegold that’s so cool! I need to get one of those. Any recommended brand?

[@LAZ-org]

Speaking of Industrial... beautiful B-roll shots of Vancouver, home of Skinny Puppy and Front Line Assembly. 🤘❤🤘

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@LAZ-org thank you so much! Legends! It’s a great city :)

[@JulianPrior]

And Loscil don’t forget!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@JulianPrior I don't know that artist! Any choice songs?

[@sergiosensation6]

This synth is so hypnotizing and transcendental. This thing is made of dreams. Thank you for your exploration into its abyss.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

I totally agree! Thank you for watching :)

[@orenm1454]

Thanks for the video. For me this will be the TB-303 i could never afford to own when i was 20. Now at almost 42 this was the the easiest emotional purchase in my life :)

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Hyped you ordered one! What Color did you choose?

[@InFamousProductions]

Wow! This is the best vid ever on this synth. You are a master composer. Now I must have one.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you so much! Huge praise :) I really try my best to make my demos musical and inspiring, and not just showing features

[@padistedor]

some of that music sounds good enough to have been used in a movie.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@padistedor thank you! My dream is to compose for a film, so that’s a great compliment:)

[@kingklabe]

@@MilesAwayOfficial Go for it!

[@blakeyonthebuses]

I've got a Minivova that could be used in a movie

[@ultraneight]

I know what you mean but that's an otherwise low bar for much of what comes from Hollywood.

[@dsandwhich00]

@@ultraneight you seem like a fun person to hang out with.

[@niccocraft5nb]

I am in awe and in love with this synth!!! I hope to have money to be able to own it myself...

[@Matt-Horizon]

Love the video, in some ways it reminds me of a more playable and controlable Lyra-8, and i love the vibe of that thing. You've made some really gorgeous soundscapes.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Hey, thanks! Appreciate the compliment

[@bondi5000]

I just sold my Lyra to fund a 42F - arrives tomorrow!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@bondi5000 lucky you! tbh that seems like a great move, Lyra always interested me but not melodic enough for my tastes

[@Themosaicsound]

this is the best sounding synth ive heard in a long time.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

I agree! Motorsynth mk2 as well . Most unique sounding both

[@dillipphunbar7924]

This truly is a powerful and tweakable synth. Thanks for the demo.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks for watching!

[@roblewis5044]

Love it, quite a niche synth, cheers Miles, living the dream, nice pad you live in, and synth collection!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you Rob! Appreciate the kind words. I'm working on a studio/apartment tour soon based on requests, stay tuned!

[@cachaa]

I just got my Solar 42 in the mail and I think I'll be referencing this video a couple of times!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Enjoy it!!! Hope my video helps :)

[@EposVox]

28:00 That "Japanese" preset was STRAIGHT UP Pokemon Gen 2 music right there. Holy shit, that sold me on this thing alone, hahaha

[@rexjantze296]

I think he corrected himself and said it was Arabian. (But of course I'm just splitting hairs)

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

haha thank you! the scale modes are super creative and useful on this synth

[@benbauer1065]

Dude you made incredible music on this thing. Wow.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@benbauer1065 thank you!!

[@colinodea2407]

Sounds absolutely stunning

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you and glad you think so!

[@napotronix]

Cool video. I have the OG Solar-42 and I absolutely love it.

[@PaulChristopherShelton]

I have the original 42. Effortlessly beautiful synth

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Indeed it is! Glad you are enjoying yours

[@Euclidfreeman]

All these jams are really good. Especially liked the one using the Vibe cartridge. ✌️ ❤️

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Glad you like them!

[@final_mile_music9713]

Top work Miles. Incredible.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks a ton!

[@MarkusGeheim]

It's fascinating that (in the Intro), your cat starts looking up in the sky when you play that higher note and looks down, when the low bass sound appears. I don't know if that's a happy accident, pure coincidence, genius editing work or just an audio-connoisseur cat... but it's cool!

[@guidoromijn4701]

Audio-connoisseur cat, obviously!

[@Hermitthecog]

0:22 It's the cat patch that gives this synth its edge.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

LOL

[@pekkatoikkanen3996]

is that deep bass drone coming from the cat?

[@Jason_Drums_]

What a Demo 👌 and what a Wild Synth this is 😃 Amazing Sounds and from what I can see limitless possibilities, Arabian sounded awesome 🤩 🙌

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Glad you like it! Wait til you see my video that just came out tonight 😅

[@Jason_Drums_]

@@MilesAwayOfficial Just watched it, Absolutely Brilliant 👌 🎻🤩 🙌

[@renancarriere7581]

Brilliant synth ! Love it ❤

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks for watching and glad you like this one!!

[@devids51]

that intro was some midsommar shi, wicked!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

great movie!

[@jedfriesen]

if I just got my 42f but know nothing about modular or this type of device, where's the best basic video to start figuring it out??? it's this one!!! thx! your vids are always stellar!!!

[@askji26285]

Wow that was outstanding

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you so much for the kind words!

[@pooshNchums]

Gave me modern film scoring vibes. It would be at home in a show like the 3 body problem or the mandalorian. Amazing

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Huge praise! Love the scores for both of those. Ludwig G is a legend.

[@TheDavidPoole]

This just might be what makes me finally get this thing! Cheers ✌️

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks so much!!

[@tornado7002]

Superb synth, and video.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Many thanks!

[@3ric908]

Great vid thank you, this sunth is breathtaking.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@3ric908 thank you so much!!

[@Livguava]

wow, beautiful synth and video!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks!

[@onaucc9899]

This thing sounds sooo good. One day i'll get one too, i hope.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

It’s a beauty! Good luck!

[@colognialist1964]

wow... that's amazing. they synth and songs too. Tank you...

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you !!

[@GeorgeL909]

It's a gorgeous sounding synth. One day...

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@GeorgeL909 glad you agree! Thanks for watching

[@watchaddicts1213]

Gorgeous Sonics and visuals! Sadly, that’s part of my 3rd Wave Desktoo/RISE 2 money. Congrats to you!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks! and you made a great choice, 3W and RISE 2 is a killer combo. Been using RISE 2 a ton on my videos and tracks recentl;y

[@luisbarrera5740]

I cannot emphasize this enough. If you really want to experience the scope of how grand it can sound. Its necessary for you to connect the 2 stereo connections on two stereo channels. It sound glorious like that.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

I agree! Check out 14:16 in the video, I do exactly that :) it's the best way to record the synth

[@bondi5000]

@@MilesAwayOfficialsorry so you’re saying run a 2 x mono line into two separate stereo pedals and then stereo cables out from the pedals?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@bondi5000 yep exactly! That's the move if you want to get the best possible sound and versatility out of this synth, you give up the width of the voices' image, but the tradeoff is you get a fully bitimbral synth, that you can process each part totally different (distortion and flanger on the drones, reverb and delay on the lead for example)

[@bondi5000]

@@MilesAwayOfficial thanks for clarifying! 🙏

[@gosh-heckadecimal]

@ 24:48 the 1 volt/octave input is not the input for xmod/fm, the cv input is, which is why nothing happened when you turned the cv amt knob or flipped between lin/exp.

[@johngannon]

Mine gets here tomorrow, can't wait!!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Unreal! How do you like it??

[@johngannon]

@MilesAwayOfficial It's really amazing, been fun learning more about it and pushing it in new ways. Your video helped out greatly, thanks so much!

[@PoweredDescent]

Sounds great, limitations can be freeing : )

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Well said!

[@Yolobruhhhh]

Thanks, I got one and trying to figure it out. This is helpful

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Glad I could help!

[@alexcummings8862]

So good, saving for one now.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Love to hear that! Thank you for watching!

[@Longstride]

Well…. I found a yellow Solar 42 in stock in the uk! They’re rare as a panda boner over here! So I’ve ordered it! Whoop whoop! Keep up the good work Miles!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Amazing, enjoy it!!

[@BlackMan614]

Cat looking like "Dude... WTF... get back on the OB-Xa"

[@llcoolpete]

Really excellent breakdown; you'd have sold me on it if I didn't already have one :)

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Glad to hear it!

[@FrankyGun]

Got mine today and feel like a 9yo on Christmas eve 🥰 Love and light from Khao Lak 🇹🇭❤️

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Congrats Franky! How are you liking it?

[@FrankyGun]

@@MilesAwayOfficial Thanks buddy! I love it!!! What a deep and wonderful sounding machine. So happy I got one!

[@picoterramusic7242]

Really good overview and explanation of the layout and how it works. Thanks 😊 About the layout, I think I would prefer to have the black buttons down to the right on the left side instead. When using them for activating chords, I would rather use my left hand for those and the right hand to play melody on the keyboard 🎹 But that is just a small thing. It’s a really nice synth 👍 Thanks for a well structured video!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks for watching and the great comment. I totally see where you are coming from. For me I really sucked playing it at first, for that same reason, but you kind of get used to the workflow of "hit a drone, hit hold, then use both hands to play the keys/use joystick". It gets natural

[@Hessencemusic]

The rhythm... or the lack thereof... plays with the perception of time... the drones resonate at a deep... almost visceral frequency... generating a feeling of total immersion...

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

wow! Beautiful way of explaining why it is so entrancing, I love this comment!!

[@demogadget]

It gave me spacy alien Hans Zimmer vibes. The intro put me in an altered dimension already.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you! Hans is a huge inspiration to me so that’s awesome to hear 😊

[@watchaddicts1213]

Were he alive, your phone might be ringing now. You’d answer and hear, “Hey, it’s Stanley Kubrick. Gotta a minute ?”

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

haha high praise, thank you!

[@carlosnieto8241]

This synth is more Andréi Tarkovski than Stanley Kubrick ;-)

[@moamber1]

Got this Crazy Russian myself, and in combination with PC it does wonders indeed.

[@scotthjohnson1558]

Excellent review... super int!eresting

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks Scott! What do you think about the workflow of always tuning the oscillators?

[@m_c_8656]

Yo, that's mad tight!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

thanks!

[@TheMachinesWon]

That cat looked fake af in the beginning, omg haha Nice synth!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Ruffles! He loves hanging out during synth jams, he makes guest appearances on the channel 😅

[@whiletr]

So it sounds like tenet soundtrack was composed entirely on this synth

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Totally! I bet Ludwig Göransson would love this thing 🤣

[@kierenmoore3236]

Was just thinking this, lol.

[@ScaleScarborough-jq8zx]

Except you’re limited to those onboard keys; pretty limited, indeed.

[@veselintenev4195]

Thanks for sharing … Which city is this beautiful place ? … looks like even the gorgeous cat is plugged in this amazing synth…

[@entropybentwhistle]

Vancouver, BC, Canada. Unfortunately, now the most expensive real estate in the country.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

New Westminster, a suburb of Vancouver BC! I'm working on a home studio/apartment tour so stay tuned

[@larstinderholt7438]

Im stunned

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you for watching!

[@oscarrivas7240]

Sick!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Cheers!

[@simoningate2056]

Great video - interesting, confusing and different.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you! It really is an odd one, nothing else like it.

[@KingzofRythm]

Instrument of the year

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@KingzofRythm agreed

[@loki_music_is]

ok, so this one is on my list now :3

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

its a beauty for sure!!

[@patricklaureys9238]

The cat is just tripping balls. 🤩

[@tmg5214]

Oh dang, I want one.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

they are an excellent choice if you like ambient!

[@tommullinerart]

I need to buy at least eight of these ❤

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Its pretty fantastic!

[@docjoesweeney]

Pretty much, yep!

[@helpmeiaminhell]

Ordered one a while back and i anxiously wait every single day for it to ship.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Exciting! What color did you pick? You are gonna love it!

[@helpmeiaminhell]

@@MilesAwayOfficial ordered a white one. Probably have to wait even longer for anything other than black or white.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@helpmeiaminhell nice choice!! I hope you get it soon, have fun and thanks for watching :)

[@hihan196]

Holy beast ❤😮

[@Lyynkstudio]

And here it is... Now I want to buy one... 🙂

[@PaulChristopherShelton]

You won't be disappointed! I love mine.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

If you get one let me know what colour you pick!!

[@Lyynkstudio]

@@MilesAwayOfficial Normally it will be the black version !

[@TheCoolProfessor]

Astounding! Play more. Relax me.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Check my Deckard's Dream video, the last 8 mins is an ambient concert!

[@TheCoolProfessor]

@@MilesAwayOfficial Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...............(fart) Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...............(FART!).....Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......mmmmmmmm thank youuuu......Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

[@KOZGERFWAD]

I was watching "The Shining" movie in my mind while listening to that opening song.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

iconic movie!

[@philippemouillevoix7783]

$2,000! Wait, I must have some change in my pocket.😂 Joking aside, excellent synth and superb demo, bravo!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Ha, thank you! And honestly 2k$ is expensive, but if this was Moog, it would be 4k.

[@gabrielmarcelo5164]

Hi!! Where did u get that LED equalizer!! Pretty nice! And great job! Regards from Argentina!!

[@jaderington]

Been waiting months here in the UK for them to drop. I wish they'd hurry up

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Hope they ship yours soon! What color did you go for? I think converting all the orders to 42F is taking longer, but when it arrives you are gonna love it!

[@shpongled587]

Trippy!

[@area200X]

gran video

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks!

[@b-man8498]

Nice overview. I know it defeats the purpose, but saving presets would be nice considering some configs and sounds of happy accidents are impossible to reproduce. Have you experimented with cv inputs from an external synth?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

I agree! At least with the fx. And not really, I honestly have just been using it standalone

[@LaikaBossGames]

Very interesting and inspiring video ! Thank you ! I'm not a musician, but always wanted to try making music, do I need some special music education to use this hardware ? =)

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you! The good thing about synths is you can start with no music knowledge, but basic piano / theory will help eventually. Check out my video on getting started with synthesizers in 2024!

[@enochroot9438]

love this synth, top of my GAS list for a while now. Slowly saving up for one

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Good luck! It's an awesome synth, good choice

[@danieltx7066]

FYI… you don’t have to press the “computer key” synth button prior to pressing Hold. This is the only synth I know of where note A is followed by note H. The scales on mine seem to be a bit wonky, too.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

You are totally right, I think its just habit from years of other synths. What do you mean the scales are wonky?

[@bondi5000]

Sounds amazing. What are the audio out options?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

just stereo outs!

[@rayderrich]

Some moments I was loving the gorgeous soundscape, other times I got nauseous of the many oscillators being just too much out of tune. There would be a thin line between loving and hating this machine in my room, but boy would I want to give it a go. Also, I think there should be more videos showcasing it combined with Eurorack to bring in (and out) some extra CV control. Thank you for this extensive video, Miles.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thank you for watching and great comment! I totally agree, but remember also like any instrument there is a learning curve. I am not experienced with this kind of instrument, what you are seeing is about a month of practice. A skilled "Solar 42 player" could probably never make you feel seasick! I can't wait to improve

[@rayderrich]

@@MilesAwayOfficial No worries it is me not you ;-)

[@rlg222]

New to your channel. Pretty cool machine...Where did you purchase that Tube LED on the left side of your Solar 42F near the beginning of your video around 4 min mark also at 45:50 too?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Massdrop FFT light on a big sale!

[@rlg222]

@@MilesAwayOfficial Thanks Buddy!

[@rlg222]

Just got it ordered!

[@wylatron]

TLDR: yes! ❤️

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Glad you think so!!

[@slimyelow]

I have never ever wanted to own any other synth sooooo badly.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@slimyelow it’s a really special one!!

[@CCCCBelgrad]

Kann ich es auch mit Maschine plus verbinden???? Geiles Teil!!!!!!!🌪️🌪️🌪️🌪️🌪️🌪️🌪️🌪️🌪️🌪️🌪️👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

@@CCCCBelgrad thanks!

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

Sounds wild on my six speaker car stereo. Curious however, was all of this running thru the Strymon Nightsky or other pedals?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

no! only the short section on the fx featured combos with pedals, most of the video is using the included INFINITY cartridge

[@lucassantoni6421]

Maybe add Solar 42F in the title (more visibility). I found the video via a comment you left on your previous one.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Added! Good shout

[@VictorGabriel-ci8ld]

Good video ! One question, how do I send midi to the daw? or how could I record

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Not really a midi instrument, its about live performance. Record with the stereo audio out jacks into a mixer or interface!

[@narozsnikz]

3:02 is your own tune? Its really amazing :o

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

yes ! thanks so much, I try to write an original song for every synth demo :)

[@narozsnikz]

@@MilesAwayOfficial Please make a longer version in a seperate video, I would listen all the time :D

[@-umbrarium]

Very nice tonal execution! By the way, is the cat real or AI generated? Something's odd when I look at it... 😁 Greetings from Macedonia.

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Ruffles is 100% real! he's just so cute he looks like AI :)

[@chriskellenmurphy]

Have you tried to pair the 42F and Perkons?

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

I did! It sounds pretty dope, I will make a little short demo at some point!

[@baconbigbeats]

That cat was trippin’ balls!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Ruffles always looks like he is tripping 🤣 he loves synths and the view from the deck

[@baconbigbeats]

@@MilesAwayOfficial xtra cute cat homie. Also badass video. Just wish it wasn’t 2k for that killer device.

[@AISupercharge]

Wow! By the way, what is that city in the background ? 🤙

[@JulianPrior]

Vancouver, BC

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Thanks! Greater Vancouver, Canada