John Bowen SOLARIS Demos by Christopher Simmons

John Bowen SOLARIS Demo by Christopher Simmons - PART ONE

YouTube Published on Jul 14, 2012 by NeotropeMusic

http://johnbowen.com/
"John Bowen SOLARIS Demo by Christopher Simmons - PART ONE. An audio walk through of some of the bank one patches in the SOLARIS limited edition keyboard synthesizer. Content, performance and audio contained in this video is Copr. © 2012 by Christopher Laird Simmons and Neotrope® Entertainment; all commercial and derivative rights reserved. HD, stereo, 20min. Note; audio is recorded from Event 20/20 speakers in studio. Turn up speakers to hear sound fully. View the text for this video review, here: http://musicindustrynewswire.com/2012/07/14/min5681_175032.php .

*correction to audio on video one: John B informed me that, "Presets are automatically selected when you use the Inc/Dec buttons - you don't need to press Enter for those! Only if you use the dial or keypad to select do you need to press Enter." (doh)

This video shows some of the sounds from bank one (aka 'Bank Zero"). The second follow up video will have direct audio from the Solaris outputs, and have examples of banks 2, 3 and 4 (aka banks 1,2,3). There is a bank "5" (aka bank 4) but I won't have time to demo that, unfortunately.

VIDEO TWO with direct audio:"

John Bowen SOLARIS Demo 2B (HUM REDUCED) - HQ Audio - by Christopher Simmons

YouTube Published on Jul 17, 2012 by NeotropeMusic

"UPDATED VERSION: John Bowen SOLARIS Demo 2 (*HUM REDUCED) - HQ* Audio - by Christopher Simmons

John Bowen SOLARIS Demo - PART 2 - with HQ* direct audio (*NEW VERSION WITH HUM/NOISE REDUCTION*), by Christopher Simmons. An audio walk through of some of the bank 2,3,4 patches in the SOLARIS limited edition keyboard synthesizer. Content, performance and audio contained in this video is Copr. © 2012 by Christopher Laird Simmons and Neotrope® Entertainment; all commercial and derivative rights reserved. HD, stereo, 20min.

NOTE: since I had very limited time, I just played a bunch of keys and didn't spend a lot of time modifying patches with the knobs as I did a bit of in the first video, and went through the patches very quickly; so don't expect any free 'riffs' you can snatch, or any brilliant keyboard chops (I do play very well). This is all I had time to do, and hopefully somebody finds it of value. Considering less than 100 people on the planet have a SOLARIS, this is going to be a unique video until other owners upload something similar. AGAIN: I'm not auditioning for best performance here, just hitting some keys to make noise to demo the patches since there are very few demos online of entire banks, and almost no videos like this. It is what it is, folks. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: YES! I know these SOLARIS demo videos are not perfect. I had only a couple of hours to shoot "something" or "nothing" and went for something. I would find these useful in shopping for a Solaris keyboard; but your mileage may vary. I sold mine to help finance new house, so I shot these AFTER I had sold it before boxing it up, as a "what the heck" kind of thing. Not planned, not perfect, but they don't entirely suck. :-)"

JV 1080 Signature Sound Sets

Playlist:

1. JV 1080 Signature Sound Set Don Solaris

JV-1080 Signature Sound Set: Don Solaris features 32 new presets for Roland’s DCB recreation of the JV-1080. Expertly crafted by the noted sound designer, this versatile collection shows off the JV-1080’s immense range.

For this collection, sound designer Don Solaris drew on his deep experience with the original JV-1080 hardware module to create everything from booming bass sounds to hauntingly beautiful pads. “As a kid, I programmed the JV-1080 day and night—you couldn’t take me away from this synth,” Don says. “The new JV-1080 plug-in made me glued to the chair again. The new features and sound quality really inspired me!”

From the mystical beauty of “Magic Pad” to the fat “Deep SQR,” these patches will flavor your compositions with fresh sounds from a tried-and-true favorite.

2. JV-1080: Cinematic Cyberpunk

Boot up and jack in with JV-1080: Cinematic Cyberpunk—a patch collection to cybernetically enhance your tracks. Developed by Romanian sound designers Dual Shaman, this futuristic patch collection features 32 presets for Roland’s DCB recreation of the JV-1080.

Filled with heady pads, menacing leads, and dystopic pulses, JV-1080: Cinematic Cyberpunk pays homage to the futuristic world of science fiction. Influenced by films like Bladerunner and Akira, the sibling sound design team of Dual Shaman have engineered vast digital landscapes with the JV-1080’s deep sound-sculpting capabilities.

3. JV 1080 Widescreen Ambient J Scott Youtube

Get the big picture with JV-1080: Widescreen Ambient by top sound designer J. Scott G., a blockbuster patch collection for Roland’s DCB recreation of the JV-1080.

JV-1080: Widescreen Ambient will elevate your tracks with some serious space and dimension. Expertly crafted by veteran sound designer J. Scott G., every patch in this collection is downright huge.

Roland Cloud JV-1080 - Don Solaris Factory Patches (teaser)

Published on Feb 13, 2020 Don Solaris

"A quick teaser of Don Solaris soundset that will be soon available at Roland Cloud. Soundset contains 32 patches. This is my first work for Roland."

JV-1080 Noodling - "Don Solaris"

Published on May 10, 2016 bitleyTM

"Playing with an EPS 16+ sequencer pattern controlling 8 midi tracks in a JV-1080 using the new and pretty nifty Don Solaris soundset - link below - as well as a simple drumkit from the Roland Dance expansion JV card simply changing 'patterns' by transposing the part (regular part, not a drum part but there are kits also among the instrument patches on that card). Patches tried out here are for instance SH101 Lead, JV80 D.Bass, 24 db Bass, TransistBass, AcidLine, Prophet VS, ESQ1 sweeps, etc. The EPS / ASR sequencer is very easy to use and kind of cool. 'Create instrument' on the EPS and set midi channel, repeat until all 8 slots are loaded. Can also play sampler presets together with midi if you create layers, for instance.

Don Solaris 1080 soundset (also 2080, XP30/50/60 etc)
http://www.donsolaris.com/?page_id=865

For those of you new into this the 1080 and the EPS 16+ were two of the most popular synth instruments in the mid 90's... that's how old they are; they cost peanuts today but still deliver! Great bargains!"

Ensoniq ESQ-1 Don Solaris Soundset Vol1 Synthwave

video upload by Don Solaris

"available at: donsolaris.com

Amiga graphics copyright Don Solaris 2024"

Roland JP-8080 Clipping?

Title link takes you to an interesting post by Don Solaris on Harmony Central regarding the Roland JP-8080 and clipping of its 12db filter. MuzikB was able to reproduce the behavior on a JP-8080, and I was able to somewhat reproduce it on a JP-8000. However, when I did, I was able to tame it by lowering the AMP Level on the JP8000, and I did not hear a difference in regards to clipping between the 12db and 24db filters. Also it only happened on one particular patch for me. Overall I do not get any clipping. My first thought was this kind of makes sense, but then I realized how much I had to turn the amp level down for the particular patch. If you have either a JP-8000 or JP-8080, try it yourself. Check out the thread for more detail.



Some of MuzicB's thoughts (read the thread for more):

"I mentioned the AMP level adjustment to Don earlier but also note that the signal is pretty tame with the occasional amplitude increase into clipping across certain frequencies. You can adjust the AMP level but the jumps still occur. The more I think about it, the more I believe that this isn't a bug or a mistake on Roland's part but that it was made to react this way.

I'll mess around some more tomorrow as it's getting late.

Keep up that great blog matrix!"

I especially like that last thought. : ) Thanks MuzicB!

Update via Don Solaris:
"I would like clear out some things. AMP setting has not much with this issue. The AMP level was at standard 64/127 value. The only thing we can do with AMP is introduce more distortion due its own nonlinearity, but that has nothing to do with the filter overload issue i am talking about. If we take a value of 64 as a standard 0dB gain, when we set it to 127 we are pushing Amplifier into its own nonlinear area which introduces new distortions (due to additional positive gain).

It is a normal thing when you reduced AMP that distortion got lower. But this is true just for values above 64 (say, reducing from 127 to 70). Below 64, you can't reduce the distortion. If you don’t believe me, do the following: Reduce AMP level below 50 and increase the main volume. You will hear distortion is still present. Or try another one. Put AMP level to max and Main level to low, play a note, you will hear distortion. Now put AMP level to low and Main level to high value - distortion is still here. (Please use headphones).

I think this should be also stated in Matrixsynth blog (which i enjoy reading) as people might think they can solve this issue by reducing AMP level. Unfortunatley that is just not possible as AMP is located post filter. And we should not confuse AMP's own distortion (due to its own nonlinearity), with this filter overload issue.

Keep up the good work Matrix, and thanks for putting this on synthblog."

No problem. Thanks Don.

Waldorf Pulse & Pulse 2 - Don Solaris Soundset

video upload by Don Solaris

"Available at: https://www.donsolaris.com/?page_id=3633

Why DCOs? Unlike traditional VCOs (voltage-controlled oscillators), DCOs maintain consistent pitch and phase – which may sound like a subtle difference, but in practice, it’s key to achieving harder, tighter, and more aggressive bass. DCO-based synths like the Pulse don’t drift or smear. They hit with precision, punch, and presence, which is especially crucial when you want bass that stays locked in with your drums and doesn’t fall apart under compression or saturation."

Alesis Andromeda - Don Solaris Soundset Vol2

video upload by Don Solaris

"This soundset is available here:
http://www.donsolaris.com/?page_id=1964"

Roland V-Synth - Don Solaris Soundset Vol I Analog Update

video upload by Don Solaris

"Soundset available at: http://www.donsolaris.com/?page_id=1852

00:00 Analog Style Patches
22:08 Digital Style Patches
33:21 Ambient Style Patches"

Yamaha CS-15 With Mods And Original Case

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

via this auction

"Regarding the modifications, there are 2, both of which are switched via small rockers in the back.

Mods are:
1. Wider LFO range
2. White noise routed into VCF2 - gives a broader filter tone

The mods make an already deep synth even more versatile. These mods cost over a hundred dollars to install, and were done earlier this year, along with calibration and servicing.

For more information, please see Don Solaris' page, which was the basis for these mods. Just point google toward Don Solaris and CS-15 and you will find a detailed PDF.

All knobs and faders sound clear without crackling, with 2 exceptions: when warming up, occasionally the brilliance slider crackles, but not always, and once moved a few times, works perfectly. Similarly, the VCF 1 filter switch will occasionally make noise when moved, but when cycled through the switch, will work normally. These likely just need to be cleaned. Keys all work perfectly. The filter, even though it is 12 db/oct, sounds HUGE and this machine cranks out the most amazing bass. The CV/gate functionality on the back works for BOTH oscs and it also has an external in to process drum sounds for further mayhem..."

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Roland JD-800 JD-990 - Don Solaris soundset vol1

video upload by Don Solaris

"available here: https://www.donsolaris.com/?page_id=3703"

Waldorf Blofeld With Don Solaris Analog Voltage

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

via this auction

"Comes with power adapter, manual, CD and USB cable. Also installed is the Don Solaris Analog Voltage. A classic sound set that is amazingly programmed. Beats the factory presets by a mile."

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Alesis Andromeda - Don Solaris Soundset Vol1

video upload by Don Solaris

"This soundset is available here:
http://www.donsolaris.com/?page_id=1863"

Korg Trident MkI (1980) - Don Solaris demo

Published on Sep 29, 2014 Don Solaris

"All live improvisation without rehearsal or any preparation. So please forgive any playing mistakes, or noise. I took 7-8 overdubs and this is the result. NO EXTERNAL EFFECTS no compressors!!!"

Roland JV-1080 Don Solaris Soundset

Published on Dec 9, 2015 Don Solaris

"Available at: http://www.donsolaris.com/?page_id=865
Compatible with: JV-1010, JV-1080, JV-2080, XP-30, XP-50, XP-60, XP-80, XV-88, XV-2020, XV-3080, XV-5050, XV-5080."

Waldorf Streichfett - Don Solaris demo (HD)

Published on Sep 23, 2014 Don Solaris

New York School of Synthesis T-Shirt!

Streichfetts on eBay | Walldorf Pulses on eBay

Ensoniq DP4+ Demo and Service

video upload by Don Solaris

"Music by: Stavros Odysseas Theodoropoulos
Performed on Ensoniq DP4/+ with Don Solaris custom patches

00:00 - Intro
01:13 - Disassembly
02:35 - Main Board
36:54 - Display Board
40:48 - Power Supply
44:22 - DSP Board
47:46 - Additional Work
50:59 - Before / After"

John Bowen Solaris Demos by boxoftextures

Solaris general demo Published on May 13, 2012 boxoftextures

Don't miss the Rotor demo below. It's one of the unique features of the Solaris.

"A brief exploration of some of the capabilities of the John Bowen Solaris synthesizer, showing the flexibility and depth of what you can do with it. This isn't a full blown tutorial but more of a taste of how you can program the synth.

©2012 Seth Elgart - All rights reserved."

boxoftextures, Twitter, Facebook

Solaris rotor demo

Published on May 13, 2012 boxoftextures

"A demonstration of the basics of the rotors in the John Bowen Solaris synthesizer. The rotors are a somewhat unique module. They're not a sound generator on their own, but instead they let you mix and modulate several different inputs, be they sound sources or some other sort of signal. Using the rotors you can make either subtly motion-filled patches or you can go wild and make some crazy sounds.

©2012 Seth Elgart - All rights reserved."

John Bowen Solaris SN 00113

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

via this Reverb listing

"It's a monster! ..yes, it's digital.. but, when you hear a 96kHz synth.. you quickly realize.. if there IS to be a digital synth.. then 96k is where it should be.. at that frame rate.. it's not 'steppy' and a lot smoother than the 'others', IMO. I'm the only owner of this 'lonely heart'. Bought it new, back when Awave was in a tiny arcade next to South Yarra station. It was the only synth that's ever 'tricked' me.. I thought it was analog 'something'. It just sounded too 'pure'.. so, I had to have it.. unfortunately, I haven't used it as much as it deserves.

This Solaris has resided in my smoke free studio since it was purchased new. Never toured, original PSU and manual (not that the manual is much use to anyone anymore.. that is.. with the advent of the newly developed V2 OS). For those that don't know, John was instrumental working alongside the late great Dr Robert Moog, in fact, he was there, in the early 70s, working alongside Dr Bob on the original MiniMoog.. fast forward a few years.. and there he was working alongside the late great Dave Smith @ Sequential Circuits. John worked on the Prophet 5, the VS and the Sequential Sampler, the Prophet 2000.

This was shortly before Yamaha acquired Sequential and retrenched the staff, yep.. that old chestnut.. and John went on to work at Korg where he was behind the WaveStation (basically he took his knowledge of the Korg VS and threw it into the WaveStation, as some might already be aware of). So, with all that history under his belt.. when it was time for John, whom I refer to as 'synth god', John started development on the Solaris.The Solaris is the culmination of all his passed work and synth experience, despite the panel often likened to the Oberheim Matrix 12, John had implemented Filters, Wave shapes, Step Sequencers, and not to forget 'Wave Sequencing' that've appeared in all his passed projects on those aforementioned classic synths, that he worked closely on with 'other' synth gods such as Dave Smith and Dr Bob Moog.

So, you could say.. the Solaris is what a 21st century synth-classic 'ought' to be. And, ultimately, that's why I wanted it, but.. I'm afraid, as good as it is.. it's more synth than I've ever needed...x10! It would be much more suited towards professional sound designers than someone who messes around with Samplers more often that not. Therefore, I'll let it go to another enthusiast.. other esteemed 'registered' owners in the Solaris forum are Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Williams, JJ Abrams, Jean-Michel Jarre, Matt Johnson, Ty Unwin to name a few.

In a nutshell, if had a paragraph to sum it up.. it's like a Matrix-12 integrated with a WaveStation and then there's CEM, SSM, Moog and Prophet 5 'mimicked' filters and oscillator shapes... basically, loads of features and 'flavors' from every 'beast synth' before it.

Main features:
10 Voice Polyphony
4 Oscillators
4 Filters
6 Envelope Generators
4 LFO's (+1 for Vibrato)
16 Step Sequencer
Arpeggiator
8 analog outputs (4 stereo)
Digital (ADAT) Output
MIDI over DIN & USB
15 kg / 33 Lbs
Comes with the original Australian 240v external PSU"

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John Bowen Solaris for Auction

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

"One of a small run of pre-order units of the near legendary John Bowen Solaris. For those who don't know, John Bowen started out working with Moog and became part of Sequential Circuits with Dave Smith. From there he went to work with Korg on such luminary products as the Wavestation and Oasys. The Solaris has been years in the planning and stems from Johns work at Sonic Core/Creamware. It's not really fair to simply call it a virtual analog synth as although it has modeled oscillators from Moog, CEM (SCI) and Wavetables and filters modeled from Moog, Oberheim, SEM as well as Comb and Vocal filters, it is much more than a VA. Semi modular in design there are hundreds of parameters and possible routings. Once central display and 5 sub displays help keep track of all the parameters along with 40 rotary controller knobs and numerous buttons!

For performance the Solaris sports a two output ribbon above the keyboard as well as the standard pitch and mod wheels and a joystick vector control. The keybed is velocity and pressure sensitive and the pitch and mod wheels are backlit, the colours can be changed but the case needs to be opened to do this. All internal processing is carried out at 96Khz, which means superior sound quality as well as some unusual modulations being possible, for instance the LFO's can easily go way into audio range.

There is so much more that can be said about the Solaris but it's better said on John's site.

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