Solton MS3 + Alesis MiDiFEx (demo)

video upload by General Midi Guy ⚡

This appears to be the first post to feature the Solton MS3.

"Solton MS3 arranger/sound module + Alesis Midifex Delay (short demonstration). All sounds from the MS3 and all FX from the Midifex :p

The MS3 has 100 instrument sounds + 1 drumkit. And the Alesis has 64 delays and some reverb programs if i remember correctly :p #synths"

Solton Programmer 24 - Sound exploration and composition of 80' Italo-disco tracks after repair

video upload by Davide Micheli

"In the video, I'm playing the newly repaired electronic instrument.

The Solton Programmer 24 was built by Solton-Ketron Lab around 1985 and it was the first completley and easy programmable music arranger in the history. Due to its structure, for someone is considered the father of Italo-Disco.

This Italian company built at that time this inspiring music electronic machine before any other big company in the word with electronic components available in the market, no dedicated or custom chip as later. In particular, in only 10 minutes I easily composed 3 music tracks in the '80 dance style living the machine inspires me.

The 3 tracks are titled:

1) DRAP; (it could be the base for a rap)
2) Happy track;
3) Past is past;

Hope you enjoy it
Davide"

Solton Programmer 24 + Hydrasynth deluxe in Italo disco 80 live experiment

video upload by Davide Micheli

"In this live video, I used the vintage Programmer 24 synthesizer produced by Solton in 1985. It was the first fully programmable arranger in history. I added an expansion kit of 32 vintage drums (32 Vintage Drums for Solton Programmer 24) to the Programmer 24 and used a different drum set than the default one.
I added some parts played with the Hydrasynth Deluxe synthesizer. There are no audio effects. The instruments are summed in the mixer and recorded along with the video with the Canon XA60 camera."

SOLTON Programmer 24 w Original Manuals, Case & Accessories (SERVICED) 1985

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

Demo in the listing previously posted here.

"A rarest Silver finish version of The one and only SOLTON PROGRAMMER 24!

Museum like conditions

FULLY SERVICED by pro tecnician (full recapping, cleaning, audio signal optimization,ecc) 100% perfectly working

Comes with its:
- Original Manuals
- Case
- Accessories
- Extra fader caps spare parts"

CLICK FOR MORE »

SOLTON ARRANGER PLUS (1987)

video upload by Synthesizer Home

RetroSound Studio Tour: The Drum Machines

video upload by RetroSound

"Welcome to the heartbeat of RetroSound Studio
Explore legendary vintage drum machines like the Roland TR-808, LinnDrum, Simmons SDS-8 and more in this classic drum machine studio tour.

From analog rhythm boxes to early digital drum machines that shaped electronic music history.
Now step inside the studio and explore a legendary collection of classic drum machines that shaped electronic music, hip-hop, synth-pop, house, and early techno.

In this studio tour, we showcase iconic rhythm machines including the Roland TR-808, TR-707, TR-606, Boss DR-55, Boss DR-110, Boss DR-220A, Boss DR-220E, Keio Minipops Junior, LinnDrum LM-2, Sequential Circuits Drumtraks, Korg KR-55B, Simmons SDS-8, and the rare Solton Programmer 24.
These vintage drum machines defined the sound of the 70s, 80s, and early 90s — from deep analog kicks and crunchy digital snares to iconic patterns still used in modern music production today. Every machine in this video is fully functional, synced, and used in real studio workflows.

Perfect for fans of vintage drum machines, analog rhythm boxes, classic electronic music gear, retro studio tours, and old-school beat making."

The Drum Machine list:
0:06 Roland TR-808
1:06 Roland TR-707
1:59 Roland TR-606
2:37 Boss DR-55
3:40 Boss DR-110
4:28 Boss DR-220A
5:14 Boss DR-220E
6:04 Keio Minipops Junior
7:50 Korg KR-55B
8:55 Sequential Circuits Drumtraks
11:24 LinnDrum LM-2
12:48 Simmons SDS-8
14:49 Tama TSQ-1000
15:37 Solton Programmer 24

Shop: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com/
Bandcamp: https://retrosound.bandcamp.com/"

Two KETRON SOLTON PROGRAMMER 24 synthesizers synchronized with each other and to a MINIMOOG

video upload by Davide Micheli

Click CC at the bottom of the player for subtitles, followed by the gear icon and and your language of choice if needed.

"ITALIAN
In questo video mostro come suonare contemporaneamente due sintetizzatori KETRON-SOLTON PROGRAMMER 24 sincronizzati tra loro e poi come far suonare la linea di basso di un PROGRAMMER 24 da un sintetizzatore MINIMOOG DODEL D

Il Solton Programmer 24, lanciato nel 1985, è riconosciuto come uno dei primissimi strumenti a introdurre il concetto di arranger automatico nel mercato delle tastiere, tanto da essere spesso definito 'l'apripista' dell'intero settore.
Questo strumento, prodotto dall'azienda italiana Ketron (con il marchio Solton), è considerato una pietra miliare nell'evoluzione delle tastiere arranger.

Impatto Culturale: è stato soprannominato 'Italian Disco Machine' per il suo ruolo nel plasmare il suono della musica Italo Disco.
Il Programmer 24 non è solo un pezzo di storia per gli appassionati, ma è anche al centro di iniziative come 'Arranger Legacy', un progetto web che mira a preservare la memoria di questi strumenti iconici e dei loro creatori.

Il Solton Programmer 24 è una workstation analogica italiana del 1985, famosa per il suo suono Italo Disco, che combina una sezione ritmica PCM a 8 bit (con uscite separate), bassi analogici, arrangiamenti automatici e sequencer, offrendo un suono vintage caldo e funzionale per produzione musicale. Include funzionalità avanzate per l'arrangiamento, sequencer polifonici e monofonici, MIDI, e interfaccia a nastro, rendendolo un pezzo da collezione apprezzato per il suo 'carattere anni '80'.

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Solton Programmer 24 Synth, Soft Case, Foot & Volume Pedals

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Unique 'All-in-one' Vintage Synth. I purchased this locally from a hammond organ repair shop & brought it home, I was blown away by the accessible drum sounds & pattern based sequencing. Usually these type of keyboard is a "kids toy" but this was different, with the pure analog sounds piercing through my speakers, this thing busted through a mix with warm & 80's tones. The playable foot pedals are really fun connecting to the bass sounds. This is not only a collectors item with music history, but it's a playable instrument for synth wave, disco & electronic music producers & enthusiasts. The arpeggios & patterns spark inspiration & the drum sounds come in handy for even just sampling into a song manually if you are recording & only one to use one instrument for the entire song!

I've dived into this synth on many occasions & did the other night, so I know everything is in working order. I would recommend reading the manual since some of the standard workflow we are used to in 2025 wasn't normalized back then.

INCLUDEDS

- Synth, Original IEC Power, Cable, Keyboard Cover, 3 Soft Cases, Foot Pedal, Volume & Control Pedal

I have the original stand, but I have NOT INCLUDED it in the listing since it would add significant weight & size to the shipping. If you are interested, let me know!"

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Vieni Uomo

video upload by Davide Micheli

Update: walktrough added below.

"This song, titled 'Vieni Uomo,' is inspired by the Italo disco dance music of the 1980s.

This piece was actually recorded using some analog electronic synthesizers and string machines from the 1980s, such as the Crumar Bit99, Crumar Multiman-S, and Solton Programmer 24. The vocal part also features a barely audible Hammond organ background. This part is played along with the String Machine connected to an analog phaser. Other synthesizers I used include the Prophet 6 and the Korg Prologue 16 for some solo parts. For the vocal part, I used the full analog GRP V22 vocoder, which is truly fantastic.

For the drum machine, I used a vintage Dynacord P20-8 bit from the 1980s.

I also used an Oberheim OB-X8 to create an adaptation break before the vocoder part.

This song truly evokes 1980s Italo Disco music, and the sound is typical of that genre.

I'll post a later video detailing the recording process for this song, track by track.

The song is scheduled for release on major streaming platforms on December 3, 2025."

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Die Mensch Machine Tribute - Italian Vintage Synths Kraftwerk’s Cover

video upload by VSMI - Vintage Synths Made in Italy

"Full Vintage Synths Made in Italy 1978 Kraftwerk’s cover
Midi file variation on “Die Mensch Machine” song and LiveJam

Crumar Bit01 - Bass line
Orla DSE24 - seq lines
Solton M150 - chord part
Elka Synthex - LFO pad & Lyrics part
Viscount Super InterContinental - live Strings pad & Piano/Spinet clips
Siel DK-80 - live pad solo
Gem WS2 - Drum

Montarbo DREV 128 - delay
Viscount EFX 1000 - reverb
Alesis Alex - reverb
Rocktron WD700 - delay

thx you to Midiworld for Kraftwerk midi file"

Solton Project100 - Welson Syntex - Elka EK22 - Jen Synx508 - Crumar Composer / Ambient LFO Jam

video upload by VSMI - Vintage Synths Made in Italy

"Some of the best synthesizers Made in Italy play in Ambient LFO Jam as is
Viscount EFX1000 reverb
Montarbo REV128 delay"

Solton Programmer 24 with 32 vintage drums expansion

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Scienceforce

"Solton Programmer 24 with 32 vintage drums expansion, the Italo Disco machine!"

via this Reverb listing

"Rare Solton Programmer 24, well known as the Italo Disco Machine, equipped with a cool 32 vintage drums expansion, very performing with all the iconic drum machines like Linndrum, roland TR-808 / 909, EMU models etc with also some experimental banks ..so great for elektro / techno music productions.

Here is a video test of this P24 for sale, just as example.. sorry about my bad camera capture audio mic

It has been recently serviced with a new backup battery inside"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Solton Programmer 24 with 32 vintage drums expansion

video upload by Scienceforce

"Solton Programmer 24 with 32 vintage drums expansion, the Italo Disco machine!"

SOLTON POLYVOX & POLYVOX KEYBOARD

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

Video in the listing previously posted here.

"Complete set including the uber-rare Polyvox K (keyboard), original manual, connector cable and foot switch (not in photo)

Just back from an extensive service by top technician - everything works and sounds fantastic - please have a look at the video of this very unit for sale.

Condition is Very Good - some general wear as seen in the photos.

The two case lids are included as well, the latches close tightly and they still get the job done."

CLICK FOR MORE »

The desert island Groove box to rule them all : SOLTON POLYVOX

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Chapters
..................
00:00 video begins
00:27 introduction and specs
02:13 drum machine
05:25 musical interlude 1
06:51 auto accompaniment section
10:10 musical interlude 2
10:56 monophonic synthesizer
14:02 musical interlude 3
16:07 musical interlude 4
17:45 organ section
18:39 percussive effects (piano section)
19:45 brass / polyphonic synthesizer
20:29 musical interlude 5
21:14 outro

SOLTON POLYVOX K - 1983

This is the first comprehensive demonstration of the SOLTON POLYVOX ever made.
The reason this hasn't been done previously by anyone else is the insane rarity of the controller keyboard that unlocks all sections - SOLTON POLYVOX K.

We've only seen the controller keyboard in the wild twice and we managed to buy them both.
Are there any other ones out there?
Please light up the comment section if you have physically encountered another one - we'd love to hear about it.

Since this unicorn doesn't get captured very often we thought we owed the internet quality photos and an in-depth, technical video demonstration of its functions.

Before we start we'd like to say that one complete unit is up for sale - if you're interested please contact us via the email on our website - link below.

There are a lot of features here so we actually missed a few, so stay tuned for a Part II this fall or winter.

The video probably has the information you need but let's dive in to a basic rundown here just in case:

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Solton PROGRAMMER 24 S

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

"The definitive Italo-Disco groovebox. 15 crunchy 8-bit PCM drums, analog bass & lead synths running SSM 2044/CEM 3350 filters, and that lush triple-BBD string chorus that melts in stereo.

Arranger & sequencer in one box. 24 preset rhythms + 24 fill-ins, 64 fully-programmable patterns, chord memory and arpeggiator let you write entire tracks without a DAW.

Pro I/O that rivals modern gear. Individual outs for eight drum voices plus separate bass & ensemble outs; full MIDI in/out and tape interface for old-school backup.

'S' upgrades over standard 24. Extra crash-cymbal EPROMs, expanded 8 kB RAM, and—most important—factory 110 V transformer for hassle-free US use.

Undervalued sleeper. Boutique sample libraries (UVI Program 24, ClusterSound, etc.) try to clone this exact box—own the real silicon instead."

CLICK FOR MORE »

SOLTON PROGRAMMER 24 (1985)

video upload by Synthesizer Home

SM100 Sound Editor for Solton Project100 - Live Sequencing Editing

video upload by VSMI - Vintage Synths Made in Italy

"The Solton Project 100 is a 6 voice polyphonic analog-digital synthesizer produced in the 1985 by Solton, an Italian brand known for its keyboards and sound modules, later get Ketron.
It has an analog chorus based on a BBD (Bucket Brigade Device) circuit, very similar to those used in Roland synthesizers of the time, such as the Juno-6/60.
Here is controlled by SM100 Sound Editor for Win XP (Copyright (c) 2002, 2005 Mark R. Strijbos)
run on Mac OS by Wine Stable, pattern play by Full Bucked Air Sequencer.
Add Echo effect in final mastering audio."

Crumar Bit01/Solton Project100/Elka EK22/Solton M160/Orla DSE24 - Atari ST Pulsar Sequencing

video upload by VSMI - Vintage Synths Made in Italy

"3 lines sequencing for 5 Vintage Synthesizers Made in Italy
Crumar Bit01, Solton Project100, Elka EK22, Solton M160, Orla DSE24.
Atari ST Pulsar Sequencer by Neil Wakeling"

Tony Esposito Kalimba de Luna ~ Vintage Synthesizer Recreation ~ RetroSound

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-24 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

❤️ Support #RetroSound​ channel: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com

One of my favorite tracks from the 80s.
Kalimba de Luna by Tony Esposito from the album Il grande esploratore (1982)
Written by T. Esposito and Remo Licastro

Featured the Solton/Ketron Programmer 24 and the E-MU Emulator II sampler

This cover song series contains my own recreations of my favourite songs from the last 50 years. The original music from which I take inspiration belong to their respective owners. I recreate tracks only for personal passion and to pay homage to these tracks."