NAMM 2020 John Bowen Solaris Desktop Synthesizer

John Bowen's Solaris is now available in desktop form. One of the first all digital synthesizers with many models of classic analog elements. The Desktop version features AMOLED displays and is much smaller than people expect.
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[@MRSTU1210]

john is a legend

[@zezappaokreizy6411]

I have Solaris v2 VST for many years Though it only works with my old Scope Platform V4, still possible now with the ''Sonic Core Scope Xite-1' interface, which has one of the best sound possible (DSP sharcs) in/out a DAW, Imho). ''however, quality... has its price'' :)

[@jeffwackenthal7725]

Its still one of the best digital synth ever...with now the quantum..i found.

[@supercompooper]

I love my Solaris. Great company.

[@colinbrash]

So excited for the Behringer Solaris

[@KoshDukai]

lol, yeah and the VST version too ;)

[@6581punk]

Behringer can't copy it. While there are no IP/patents on analogue circuits, software can be protected. Which is why you don't see people cloning DSP based synths.

[@KoshDukai]

@@6581punk we (I at least) were kidding :) ...though, this being DSP based I wouldn't be surprised to see it as a VST in the future, John willing to go that route.

[@zezappaokreizy6411]

​@@KoshDukai I have Solaris v2 VST for many years, see my comment about, thanks

[@KoshDukai]

@@zezappaokreizy6411 Olá! :) ...I wasn't aware of the Solaris 2 plug-in. Now hearing about that and "Sonic Core Scope Xite-1" made me search around and stumbled on Tranzistow "inspired by Alesis Andromeda, Waldorf Q, Waldorf Microwave II/XT, Yamaha FS1R, DX and SY series, Oberheim Xpander and John Bowen Solaris". Gonna investigate it now. Obrigado! ;)

[@johnbowen824]

Ooooo! I want one!

[@blipblip88]

it looks confusing, but I'll wait till Nick reviews it...then I'll be really confused..

[@salvatorediguido4883]

look here, it's the original Solaris with the keyboard, but same synth: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGmqco2cds6ehNE

[@maxpowers3494]

I'm not sure Nicks scalp can endure the amount of head scratching that would induce.

[@danstephensen9032]

OH Z A R G !! The Great !! You ALWAYS impress the throngs and groveling masses. Thanks for the amazing instruments and ALL of your contributions throughout your S Y N T H career. John is actually a better person than anything else he is SKILLED at. Thank You !!

[@Phil-1]

It is massive!

[@TerekkiTerekki]

Form factor is reminiscent of the Oberheim Xpander

[@6581punk]

That's what the Solaris keyboard always reminded me of. Well, of the Oberheim Matrix 12. The Xpander is a 6 voice version of the Matrix 12.

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

Pffffff! Only 1254 parameters!

[@hb-fc3jj]

Super, smashing, lovely

[@brhodes0]

h b just look at what you could have won!!

[@aptudo]

The ambition and execution of the Solaris are one-of-a-kind. Kudos! That said, in recent years I've learned that I personally prefer playing simpler synths that have limited controls and a distinct, bold character. For me, a simpler synth is the only way I can get to know the instrument in the same way, say, a guitarist gets to know his or her instrument.

[@elmosexwhistle]

Being Autistic, I prefer hideously complex synths LOL

[@dmomcilovic9185]

Dan, just when I. Picked up a keyboard version last month...keeper anyway

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

Still the pride of my collection and 'go to' synth. So the rack expander is a no brainer :-)

[@grailgnosticism2342]

more than a synth, it is a way of life.

[@JunkSoap]

I like the idea of being able to expand the polyphony at will... I wish all manufacturers featured this too... A 20 voices polyphony prophet... a 48 voices hydrasynth... Yummy !

[@CO5MA]

Had one Solaris for two years. Amazing synth

[@CO5MA]

Z Xy Because I purchased a Waldorf Quantum :)

[@CO5MA]

Z Xy Solaris is GREAT but it’s quite tricky to use/manage samples with it. Both are amazing but my preference go to the Quantum. Plus, the Quantum is way more intuitive in all aspects

[@michaels5166]

I have yet to see one in person...

[@simonlegrec]

Amazing idea ..and synth

[@Wagoo]

Great synth

[@orangenotviolet]

Guys like him are the true heirs of Bob Moog and Don Buchla, that is a completely different thing then copying 30 years old synths. Wish I could afford one.......

[@troublesomecorsair]

Cool! Better see if there's one for sale.... I found a Russian synth called the Estradin Solaris

[@glenorpheus]

I noticed the patches take some time to load or access, where as this may of been acceptable 15 years ago, its now showing its age.

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

Nope - almost instantaneous - as it has been from the start

[@jjrusy7438]

I wonder if this guy is feeling the heat from hydra+wavestate+argon ($1300+$800+$800) = many morphing waveshapes + the 4 biggest parts ever + modern wavetable synth all for

[@illustriouschin]

His customers only buy super boutiques. If he sells five per year then it's a pretty good year for him.

[@jjrusy7438]

@@illustriouschin I see. plus I guess nothing is stopping him from continuing his development either.

[@6581punk]

@@illustriouschin Given it is his only product at the moment, the support is long term. It's had hiccups here and there but you won't find any other synths like this that get such long term support.

[@michaels8597]

Hook it up with a sampler and you will go crazy trying to find limits...something like the Roland VSynth GT/Korg Kronos..

[@drill2.087]

michael s or go oldschool with my Ensoniq ASR-10 lol

[@michaels8597]

@@drill2.087 You are so on point,and I was hoping at the time Ensoniq would have followed up with another sampler after the ASR10.I have one myself,and It's my favorite sampler.I just pulled back out my Roland MV8800,to start messing with that beast again,yet it's nowhere close to the simplicity/sound of the ASR.See,that ASR has those Motorola chips,those Transwaves,That DSP efx 18 bit thang going on,and just kills it. My issue with a lot of gear is that it's not being imaginative enough,because when you can sample,you can create something probably not done before.por example,you can record your dog barking,a slap on the side of a table,and shake some foil,and then resample or record it on tape,play it back,and sample it again.Then you can tweak it in the ASR,and you'll transpose it across the keyboard.Then you can create drum kits,pads,stabs,and even make a track,just from that one sample.It's never the original to just rip a hit or phrase from something already produced.Yeah,of course you can flip it,spice it up,etc,etc,but the source material wil still not be original /raw.

[@GREASEONTHESTREETS]

Cool, the 90s are back with backwards ass synthesizers again.

[@wizetek]

Sparc or Intel?

[@Kkidzz]

Sharc?

[@danielpirone8028]

SunOS 4 eva

[@craig_z]

haha... that takes me back

[@EannaButler]

Sonic Core Scope base, same Dna, so, sharc

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

@@Kkidzz Yes Sharc running at 96

[@KiR_3d]

They should go deeper about the UI and displays. Touch screens would be much better. For the same price it could be a winner. But in the current reality I doubt it will be so easy.

[@agauerm]

Touch screens are nasty

[@KiR_3d]

@@agauerm depends on the quality and the UI approach!

[@migelangelLiscano]

👍👍👍

[@SjN7HETIK]

bad design choices here, knobs under display to control the upper row, and under the knobs to control the parameters above the first knob row. NON-SENSE

[@xntricity6446]

Lost me at digital, sorry

[@austinbru]

This has to be one of the most boring displays of one of the most uninspiring-looking synthesizers I've ever seen at NAMM... sorry for my bluntness.

[@6581punk]

Then you don't know anything about the Solaris and John Bowen then. It's one of the most powerful digital synths around in terms of engine. Want vector synthesis or 4 oscillators? yep, want multisamples? yep, want Waldorf wavetables? no problem. Then there's about 5 LFOs, lots of filter types modelled on classic designs. Oh and the rotor modulators.

[@austinbru]

@@6581punk I didn't speak at all to it's capabilities. Powerful and infinite possibilities don't interest me as much as unique implementations. I look for instruments that inspire workflow. This synth seems like a nightmare (for me personally) to program. Not hating on the caliber of synth that this obviously is.

[@paulmirk]

@@austinbru It is actually quite easy to get around and quite intuitive.