BÖHM SOLIST - 1972

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"This unit is available for sale - if you're interested just shoot us an email at : Vintage dot Audio dot Institute @ gmail.com

Normally we focus on Italian gear but this is such a great little machine we thought we'd venture out a little.
This is the first model Bohm Solist - a mega-early, analog auto-accompaniment unit and drum machine from West Germany.
Comparing the two Bohm Solist models - the S and the 78 - we realized that they're almost identical. The only thing that's added to the next model are a few chord sounds and 4 added bass line variations.

You can watch our demonstration of the Solist 78 here : • Dr. Böhm Solist 78

The Solist machines are essential song-writing tools and offer some great, useful features : great drum sounds, chords and bass lines as well as an arpeggiator, all transposed by the control keyboard.

This video is not really a demonstration but a jam of sorts, with some help from external effects this unit sounds great and is a hoot to play.

Specifications :

The one-octave keyboard controller can only operate one finger at a time - it's not made to be played, but to indicate the desired key to the main, sound generating unit.

The major, minor and 7th and 9th chord options are engaged by pressing the grey side keys and the buttons on the right in tandem with the desired key.

Dr. Böhm named the auto-accompaniment section Böhmat - perhaps a mix of Böhm and Automat - and it has quite a lot going on considering for such an antique device:

1. A bass sound generator of bass lines spanning two bars.
2. 3 chord sounds with 6 rhythmic patterns
3. An arpeggiator figure and a Wah effect for the chords and arpeggiator.
4. Analog drum machine of 24 patterns that are mixable, mute options for most individual drum sounds.

The bass and chords rhythm patterns are unique to each rhythm engaged while the arpeggiator line is a single pattern for all.
The tempo of the Wah-Wah LFO effect follows the main tempo.

The drum section has 24 drum rhythm patterns that can all be played at the same time if one desires. There are mute options for all but a few drums sounds, as well as a snare roll and a single, hard-wired drum fill.

If you're into rare, mostly Italian synths and drum machines you can subscribe to our channel and please check out our other videos of rare gems, but you might also enjoy the V.A.I. website : a photo book and encyclopedia Italian Vintage Synths and Drum Machines: https://www.vintageaudioinstitute.com/"