SOLAR 42 REVIEW - a fantastic synthesizer that you probably won't buy

The SOLAR 42 is a massive synthesizer both in terms of sound and build, but who is it for and how is it different from its predecessor the SOLAR 50? Find out in today's video!
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CONTENT:
00:00 Intro
02:09 Who is Solar 42 for?
05:10 New features! Solar 42 VS Solar 50
09:22 A fantastic "DUO synthesizer" but what is that?
11:50 Walkthrough of Solar 42
25:56 Teacher's Notes
31:07 BONUS ambient jam composed by Bobeats & Burg
SYNTH MERCH
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BUSINESS INQUIRY
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#Bobeats #Solar42 #AnalogSynthesizer

[@ELTAmusic]

Thank you so much for your review, Bo! 👀🔥 That's awesome! In the comments, people are mainly concerned about two things: Where's Midi? And why is it so expensive? 🌞 The answer: Why do you need a midi? You haven't played it yet, but you already need a midi. It's a self-contained instrument with its own keyboard. Plus it has enough CV - Gate inputs and outputs to connect external sources, including midi keyboards, most of which already have CV Gate outputs. I sincerely don't understand what Midi is for in such an instrument. To send sequences ? 1800 euros for an instrument with a lot of effort, labour, quality hand-built, functionality, design is expensive? I am not Behringer or Korg. I am a small manufacturer who assembles the instrument by hand. You get a one-of-a-kind instrument for life. Pulsar 23, Perkons, SYNTRX, Intellijel Cascadia, Analogue Solutions Ample Analog and other synths in this price range are also expensive? With its high production costs (About 1,000 euros per unit), the correct price should be 2400 euros. Probably should have made this price and then the questions would have gone away. Thank you for listening.

[@TheMinimalEffortBureau]

thank you for making the solar 42

[@ELTAmusic]

@@TheMinimalEffortBureau You are welcome!

[@jochenkronier]

I LOVE this THING ! ❤💯🙏 also looking forward to the day i be able to purchase on 🤗 the price is absolutely fine ! even think it could be more expensive, for what it is and what's possible to do with it !... again, looking forward to it... 😊 great job!

[@sam_bibly]

to answer your question, yes, $1800 is very expensive for the vast majority of people by any measure. i am fine with you pricing it at whatever point you think it's worth, but you made an expensive synthesizer, so don't be surprised people say it's expensive. it is. it's made for people who buy expensive toys.

[@enthalpimusic4113]

@@sam_bibly Yes it's a significant amount of money for a lot of people but it is not expensive for what it is, a unique instrument handcrafted, that is the point ;) It is the same for good guitars, violins ... Please Arseniy @ELTAmusic, we're waiting for a Solar 42 demo part 3 !!!

[@davidadams6863]

The answer to life, the universe, and everything SOLAR 42

[@ndguardian]

As someone who absolutely adores ambient, cinematic styles of music, I think this might officially be my dream synth (okay, that or a CS-80). I would love to get my hands on one of these and just play with it for days at a time. Pretty sure I would never see the sun again.

[@ilyandilymusic]

I'm right there with you. I'm sure you have already heard (or maybe even own) but my hydrasynth deluxe scratches my CS-80 itch. One of my favorite things I have laid my hands on in a long time.

[@gadblatz4841]

A groovebox for the Hainbachs of the world. A Groovebachs!

[@johncarter2741]

Excellent 😄

[@jerrycharles66]

I think everyone kinda wants to be Hainbach at one point or another in their synth journey.

[@entropybentwhistle]

@@jerrycharles66Or is Hainbach just so next level that he becomes everyone else?

[@russ254]

hainbach craps on people who don’t want their tax money given to jerks that criticize them.

[@thirtysixverts]

I've literally never been interested in a synth before, and yet I found myself buying this by the end of the video! I have nooooo idea what I just got myself into lol, but I'm so excited. After watching a different vid on the same synth, I decided to order directly from the mfg, hopefully that will put a few more dollars in their pockets.

[@fentanyljones6956]

Welcome to the terrordome. It won’t be your last synth! 😂

[@Pacer416]

Good For You!! 🎉 I wish you many hours of creative music making!

[@nickoricko4564]

Have you got your new synth yet? How do you like it so far??

[@incaroads001]

Bo, your videos are so therapeutic to watch. I don't even want this synth. I'm just watching the video to reset my mind. Thanks. Correction: Now I want it.

[@BoBeats]

Thank you!

[@incaroads001]

@@BoBeats You're very welcome.

[@AcidTechnoMan5000]

Bob beats is the best

[@incaroads001]

@@AcidTechnoMan5000 I agree. Between Bo, Loopop, and Gabe Miller, with occasional side trips into Cuckoo land when I'm in a mood, my syntho-mental needs are pretty much covered.

[@krazywabbit]

We should have more of our friends over playing with gear. Kinda like we did as kids. To those that get this synth, have fun. For the rest of us, we already have all we need. Everyone , phone a friend. Nice review Bo.

[@garyhendrie4001]

Yeah a rich generous friend 😂

[@ndguardian]

I need friends that are into making music first. 😥

[@twiglet2214]

That's a nice idea - let me buy you a carrot,bunnykins !

[@BounceChord]

This thing looks incredible. I don’t need it at all but I loved this video. Thanks for the FF7 deep cut.

[@brianhodge2455]

What a stellar evolution of the original. I have a Solar 50 from the last batch to make it out of Moscow before the invasion of Ukraine, and Elta Music relocated to Latvia. I affectionately think of it as offering all the headaches of modular, with none of the flexibility. But it’s definitely its own kind of unique beast, and enjoyable to work with as long as you’re not in a hurry for instant gratification.

[@johnthecloud]

So glad the effects are actually on-board and were not added externally. Gonna save up for this one.

[@digitaldobbie]

Aesthetic value is awesome, the synth looks amazing and ambient sounds can be used with any genre

[@BoBeats]

100%

[@gregoirenowacki9305]

Thank you so much! Been patiently waiting for this review as there are no available videos of this synth since the first batch got sent out.

[@OoraMusic]

I'd love to try one! congrats for the new studio!

[@maxpowers3494]

Man, I really love synthesizers. 😊

[@glennweber9290]

Some of the patches you created were absolutely gorgeous. Well done man!

[@hafstrat]

Yes!!! . Doc confirms today that My left hand fingers are riddled with arthritis. So my strat playing days are hopefully fewer than my days on the planet. But I will be able to Enjoy making sounds with synths, again. Despite my knackered left hand. ❤

[@Paajtor]

I am 59y old, a total synth/keyboard noob...but I'm intrigued by the looks of this thing. I love late 60's/early 70's synthesizer pioneers, guys with tons of wires hanging down from their instruments etc. This Solar 42 gives me that vibe, but with modern tech as benefit. @BoBeats, would you recommend this synth to me? Money isn't important, it's an investment I would only do once in my life. I'm not in a band, and I don't feel the urge to publish stuff...I just want something to channel the musical ideas I always have in my head, without having to learn musical notes, or how to play a piano/keyboard. All this talk about voices, drones, LFO's...that I can learn, no problem. Also, I would like to know if I can hook-up my iPad's Garage Band app to this synth? I'd love to be able to use the persussion-output of GarageBand, as an input track.

[@cmdrandy_pipkin6621]

Would love to know too! I'm in the exact same position as you. 😇

[@obscursounds]

Fantastic synth and review ! Nice to see Burg tweaking with you ! Thank you Bo 🖤👌

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Fantastic instrument. New studio looks smashing! Great lighting Bo! 💯🥁🏆😄

[@dessiplaer]

Hi Bo! It's good to see you making videos. This synth sounds great, and this is a good demo.

[@supernatural802]

This is a work of art really.

[@bradashwell1783]

Been really curious about this synth. Thanks for doing a video.

[@dani_des1gns]

Excellent review of a very cool synth. I appreciate this both for how it showcases what this synthesizer is capable of, and also for how it is tinged with that call to be realistic about whether or not this is a piece of gear a person actually *needs*. While the sounds this thing is capable of have me making frantic grabby hands toward any vendor carrying it, listening to your points about it - both pros and cons - sort of tempers that initial reaction. Thanks for another great review of a very cool piece of gear.

[@kai-vd5485]

Very well done! I own the Solar 42 since a few weeks, having a lot of fun with it. Your review opened some new sights and possibilities for me. Thank you!

[@BoBeats]

Glad to hear it!!

[@frankmunro3303]

would you still recommend after a while of owning it?

[@kai-vd5485]

@@frankmunro3303 Yeah, having a lot of fun playing it!

[@TheLexikitty]

Your new studio looks so cool!

[@aquaticborealis4877]

I like the sound character. More unique, albeit not everyone’s taste. I think it’s worth the price.

[@hanzvolt]

great vid... i like those technical notes...love to hear about the noise floor etc..👍

[@RJ_Eckie]

Damn that looks cool and sounds absolutely fantastic!! I’ve been looking around for very practical, hands-on synths and this is up there. Many premium synths at this price point are still not multi-timbral, and even if they are bi-timbral you can’t tweak knobs for both timbres at the same time. For the fact that you can built a full multi-layer soundscape with this, with distinctly separate timbres including separate sequencers/arps/keys, all analog, plus effects… that price point sounds very reasonable indeed. For a performing artist this could be their whole soundscape setup in a band, plus maybe a more regular keyboard for the more regular synth stuff. I’d put this on my “dream gear for some time” wishlist if it had a more user friendly way of tuning the oscillators. Hand-tuning all those 20(?) drone oscillators before every track doesn’t seem very workable Also really loved the compositions in this video and the cute lil retro rpgs 🫶🏻

[@electroniccaveman3493]

Wow, fascinating Instrument! I count 115 knobs, 75 switches, 4 light sensors, 1 joystick. If these are quality components, this is a bargain. See you at the superbooth😊

[@teamphil]

I’ve been waiting for this review. Sounds amazing. I’ll have to make room somewhere for this…

[@NicleT]

Really cool to see you back. These kind of "dedicated" synth reminds me the research vein of Vlad Kreimer / Soma.

[@MistyMusicStudio]

Very cool ambient electronic machine! You're right though, can't say I'll be buying one since I got too many synths with overlapping functions 😅 The price actually seems quite fair considering it's like a complete ambient semi-modular rig.

[@ichigen511]

Great video thanks for the review! I love the soundscapes you and your friend made. Absolutely divine.

[@fentanyljones6956]

That collab joint with your homie is amazing. Exactly the type of music i’m drawn to.

[@RayR]

I'm so glad you do impartial and unbiased review videos. It seems more and more KZbin music tech content creators are getting influenced with free items and losing their credibility. Nothing bothers me more then people sacrificing their honesty and intergrity . Please keep up the good work.

[@gaetan4164]

That looks like a really cool machine. I really appreciate that you can do full performances in one take, without additional gear, which is how I use my modular.

[@kidko]

Lovely work, love the classic rpg jamz! Cool synth for someone!

[@aaronparys1750]

Awesome Demo on the Solar 42 .. Thnx!

[@sebbosebbo9794]

knobs , buttons, modulation, patchcabels and fx pedals are always my friend...& welcome 💪💥🗯🔥💭❤💨🕊

[@Auldhelm]

This is cool - like a eurorack for people who don't want to spend 10,000$

[@BoBeats]

Or a gateway drug 😱

[@aikighost]

to be fair you can get quite a good starting eurorack system for the 1800 euros they are asking.

[@neuzethmusic131]

You really don't need 10.000 dollars for a decent Ambient Eurorack. Especially if you use a hybrid setup like me. Ableton and plug ins like Valhalla are perfect.

[@robertschnobert9090]

​@@neuzethmusic131I didn't realize Ableton is part of eurorack hahaha is the Chrome Music Lab also part of eurorack? 🌈

[@eyeinthesky5168]

Great Review of a Great sounding and looking synth. like the more in depth longer video. tho i did watch in two sessions.

[@slimyelow]

Excellent and honest review. I really like the demo performances too. What an amazing and phat and unique sound. Actually many tones are classic ones but there is a twist to them in this machine. Also how quickly and with little ease a basic wave can transform into something so pretty. - wow, I want one of these!

[@ConwayBob]

Magic! Thanks, Bo and Berg, for this review of a unique and interesting instrument.

[@BoBeats]

Thanks for checking it out Bob!

[@heartajack]

What a fun looking synth! Great sounds as well.

[@_minus]

Pre-ordered before Christmas - can't wait :p Great review Bo (and loved the FFVII riff)

[@AcidTechnoMan5000]

Thing is otherworldly You’re gonna love it.

[@mauchkimberly]

It's beautiful. I've loved this idea since Solar 50. I can't buy it for lack of space. But things could change.

[@nsbd90now]

I have one of these and totally love it!

[@BoBeats]

Let us all know your fav thing to do with it, im sure others would love to know

[@nsbd90now]

@@BoBeats Oh my! Well, first, I'm just an oldster hobbyist who has loved synths since I was a kid. Recently was enabled to get some hardware synths and into the whole "semi-modular" realm of sound with a 2600, MiniBrute 2S, etc. I have found that I just totally love and get lost in exploring the infinite possibilities of sound and how the smallest of tweaks creates big changes and endless sweet spots. So, when I saw this was coming out... totally for a stream-of-consciousness experience without even the MIDI I knew it was for me. Wow! It's amazing! The layout alone is wild-- if you ignore the voice numbers and just go on how it is arranged for left and right hands. I find the analogue sound quality so satisfying, and as I start playing with the patching it is endlessly surprising with my jaw often on the floor!

[@RJ_Eckie]

Would definitely like to see a few jams on this! What a great device

[@nsbd90now]

@@RJ_Eckie Maybe not from me, but in the hands of a professional with a good ear... wow! This thing is potentially really, really deep.

[@piercarlobormida]

I'm waiting for my Solar 42 (it's on the way in this moment) that i saw live at SoundMit of Turin: it was love at first sight ;) Thanks again to Máté Szabó for offering me chips at lunch pause!

[@azrombazsaid1911]

Crazy synth 😮 It.'s looks like so deep and creative 🎹🎶🚀🌛🌟 Thank you very much Captain Bo Cosmo Beat 😊

[@dracul74]

Loved the sound!

[@sigrice]

Amazing duo! Subscribedd

[@dirkschulz7282]

What a unique, fantastic sound, worth every penny, should even cost 2400 € :)

[@AndyVonal]

Bo and Berg! Awesome!

[@wildphilgaming]

This is my dream synth. Currently saving up for one and hoping they're in stock by the time I have the funds ready.

[@johncarter2741]

Man I love this thing. It’s a cinematic masterpiece generator of immense proportions. Love it.

[@digitaldiezel5870]

I like this one!! I’d like to hear more of it.

[@AmigoJohnny1st]

I fell in love with this synthesizer. I need him

[@jkdesignnj]

this thing looks like so much fun!

[@roncoots3800]

Lovely piece at the end......

[@derekjurovich]

This sounds lovely, so many great hardware synths out these days. Its so hard to choose now.

[@Jimbo386000]

Bro this looks amazing!

[@Midi-olo-gist6758]

I love it. Great piece of machinery 😊

[@artsolomon202]

Why you and hainbach still haven't made a podcast together, you have almost the same way of touching the keyboard, i am waiting!!! ;) and i know hainbach would like this kind of gear. Great episode thnx❤

[@markkilley2683]

Another world in a box. Nice one.

[@ivonsmith2024]

Seems like a really great box of infinite sound possibilities! Im so glad people are still building analogu sound generator synths these days - The beginning of the Moog era in the very early 70s made some amazing sounds - as Jan Hammer used to use in Mahavishnu Orchestra! This Solar 42 sounds fantastic & this review is really special & unique!

[@marcbrasse747]

A very sympathetic synthesizer. I already loved the previous version. The somewhat unstable tuning is often a plus because it makes the thing sound very organic. Good basic character anyway.

[@wylatron]

I’d definitely have one of these over another ‘every synth’ It’s a whole vibe, its own world, and that’s so unique in today’s landscape that I find it incredibly enduring.

[@WINTERMUTE_AI]

LOL, when you involved your friend, reminded me when I used to sneak out of my house when I was a child and me and my best friend played ELITE on a Commodore 64, one of us on joystick, the other on keyboard. :)

[@pnptcn]

Already bought one. Passing the time watching videos like this until it gets here.

[@MD_is_me]

Another great review.

[@bistrobmusic]

Really nailed that FF7 scene

[@BoBeats]

♥️ my nr 1 game

[@endorphinsmusic]

@@BoBeats ok going to play it now

[@bob-rogers]

New studio looks great! The synth sounds really good. At first I was thinking, "oh, I definitely don't need this". But the way the drone buttons work with the keyboard or sequencer is really neat. In a way it's kind of like Lyra-8, but with more control. I probably won't get one, but I sort of want one. I'm trying to think of any other modern synths that have that many knobs. That might even be more than the MatrixBrute :-)

[@BoBeats]

Yeah, its fair to compare it to Lyra like that I think. I think you end up using them similarly, but with more control on the Solar

[@neonblack211]

this thing looks so unique and fun

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

This is cool af

[@BoBeats]

Buy one and make another viral tiktok sound on it! Challenge accepted?!

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

haha! definitely would love to demo one and make a song wit it! Great demo dude, one of your best@@BoBeats

[@fjfrancois]

I can do a lot of cinematic sounds with just a SE-02 and a Ventris dual reverb pedal 😊

[@darrenmackay2536]

So many interesting synths from Latvia!

[@kokopelli314]

Very cool with two people playing it!

[@Auldhelm]

Me and my bros are always fighting over the filter knob

[@gwsound]

Yeah got one since a week and are still in the finding out phase. Love this machine. Made with passion, innovative and not standard.

[@frankmunro3303]

are you still enjoying it after owning for a little while?

[@gwsound]

@@frankmunro3303 yes I very much do. It is inspiring and fun.

[@gwsound]

@@frankmunro3303 Yes I do. Just release a track almost completely created with the Solar42. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ2ngIOkhsugZpY

[@QETInet]

Sold my Iridium & M, and ordered my Solar. Now waiting a long long time.

[@per-axelstenstrom1886]

Fantastiska ljudlandskap - förförande! Men som du säger, den är verkligen nischad. Tack för en spännande demo!!!

[@virgilsstudio]

Nice sounds, but not sure I would drop that much money, thanks for the great review!

[@vinniemestdagh2792]

great video again , great synth . not my budget but still wowww

[@truthseeker3907]

Thanks Bo !👍✌

[@TheTechOrc]

I've never had any interest in hardware synths....this device answers so many internal questions for me. I'm heavily invested in spending the 2k to get those answers. Great review.

[@p.meyerhiggins3157]

I really enjoyed this, particularly because I don't want one... Thank you for sharing your experiences with this interesting instrument.

[@johnsaunders6510]

It does sound fantastic

[@nordmende73]

Great! Thank you!

[@jorgeegrojjorge]

Amazing synth!!

[@neonblack211]

that duo jam was so good

[@domgraveson1942]

cant wait for mine.... hurry up Mr Postman!

[@HazzardousMe601]

hainbach would love this

[@OscillatorSink]

Won't I indeed?

[@BoBeats]

Challenge accepted, I see!

[@candyflip6345]

The SOLAR 42 would be perfect for making liquid DNB. Awesome video.

[@BoBeats]

didnt think of that, but yeah that could work!

[@LesterH25]

Ordered. Maize Yellow. It will be a long 3 months waiting. Cannot wait to not conforming to the norm. 🎉

[@JoeWisniewski]

This synth is a challenge to work with and I love it. I'm looking forward to other videos of this. It was a gift to myself for surviving being hit by a car.

[@BoBeats]

Glad you are around and still synthing! Stay safe

[@rickhopkinson]

This is an excellent video and review 🙂 I've just had to return my Hydrasynth Deluxe due to a glitch noise issue... and I'm waiting for the replacement to come early February... But now I've seen this..... I'm a bit torn between what is the best way to go if I'm honest! Do you, or does anyone have any advice... I know they couldn't be any different, I get that. 😂

[@NicolasSchluchter]

Ambiant, ff7, star ocean, ok, that's pretty much all I need

[@herrlogi]

big thumbs for the ff7 reference!

[@rwlurk]

I probably will buy it