Ensoniq ESQ-1 Don Solaris Soundset Vol1 Synthwave

video upload by Don Solaris

"available at: donsolaris.com

Amiga graphics copyright Don Solaris 2024"

Between | Roland JD-990 controlled by the JD-800 space ambient

video upload by MIDERA

"Today I figured I would test combining the JD-800 as an editor for the JD-990 and quickly decided: I hate it. You just can’t edit enough to make it worth it. Yes, you have access to all of the front panel controls, which is nice, but you really can’t do it very seamlessly. Imagine you are editing Tone 1 and want to switch to editing Tone 2, but you don’t want to hear Tone 1. Normally you can shut off Tone 1, but you can’t do that via the JD-800, you’d have to use the 990 to do it. And the only way to access card data on the JD-990 is by ensuring both the JD-800 and 990 have cards in them (obviously the JD-990 needs a card if you want to use it, but it’s frustrating that the 800 also needs a card for you to switch to the JD-990’s card). You can’t edit the FX or really anything embedded in a menu.

As Don Solaris and others on Gearspace suggest – they really are two separate synths. Using the JD-800 as an editor for the JD-990 is just not efficient or fun. The whole point of all the sliders is for ease of use and speed – things you begin to lose when using the JD-800 to edit the JD-990 because of all of the gotcha’s.

I don’t know if I want to keep the JD-800. The JD-990 is just so much better for what I want that I think I can live with the worse interface in exchange for the better sound. I’ll keep them for a while perhaps and see what I create that I like more with each. I think the conclusion will be that the JD-990 will be more useful and take up less space. Hard to give up such a great UI, but I have other synths. And actually, something nicer about the 990’s interface is that you can independently turn on and off Tone’s AND also turn on and off the ones you wish to edit. On the JD-800, you have to press a button to switch between ‘layer/active’, which is an extra annoying step.

Such a shame that there is no Roland JD-900. If Roland tried making it today, they’d use zencore and it wouldn’t be the same thing. Again, huge shame.

No FX added."

John Bowen Solaris Gets An Update - v2.1 OS Adds New Functions to the Sequencer and Arpeggiator

via John Bowen Synth Design

"Here is my documentation describing the new functions in v2.1 OS for the sequencer and arpeggiator. I know many people don’t bother to 'read the manual', but in this case, I think it will really be of value. There’s some special applications of a few functions you need to know about, such as the ‘note pool’ used for random note values, or how the modulation paths work."

The images below are from the PDF documentation John shared with owners of the Solaris. You can click on the images to read. With four oscillators, vector joystick, classic analog models, wavetable synthesis, phase distortion, unique rotors, and a completely modular design, all running at 96 kHz for pristine audio quality, the Solaris remains one of the most powerful synthesizers to date.

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Alesis Andromeda - Don Solaris Soundset Vol2

video upload by Don Solaris

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

Bad Gear - Roland JV-1080

video upload by AudioPilz

"Become a Patron and get access to music clips from the show, additional content, Bad Gear samples and even more AudioPilz madness

https://www.patreon.com/audiopilz

Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Roland JV-1080. Is this classic Roland rack synth the Roland Cloud of the 90s? Can these sounds still be used in modern music production or do we have to subscribe to Zenology? Can it hold up with analog synths?

Check out Don Solaris' webpage for in depth knowledge on the 1080:
http://www.donsolaris.com

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:06 Overview Roland JV1080
01:49 Wave Generators (Waveforms, Samples)
03:02 General Midi
03:12 Synth Engine (Cross Mod, Filter, LFOs, Envelopes, Modulation)
03:47 Patch Structure (Booster, Ring Mod)
04:06 Presets
04:29 Effects (Insert, Send, Reverb)
04:41 Rhythm Kits (Drums)
04:51 Performance Mode (Multitimbrality)
05:02 Expansion Cards - "The 90s Cloud"
05:35 Manual, Build Quality, Outputs, Pricing
05:55 Hate
06:22 Jam 1 (Classic Sounds)
07:11 Jam 2 (Synth Tweakery)
08:04 Finale
08:34 Verdict"

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"

Alesis Andromeda - Don Solaris Soundset Vol1

video upload by Don Solaris

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

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"

Waldorf Quantum Totally Unofficial Demo

video upload by Don Solaris

Waldorf Blofeld Desktop Synthesizer Black Shadow Limited Edition - Sample License Installed + Extras

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

via this auction

"Excellent functional and cosmetic condition

Includes sample license ($100 from Waldorf) enabling multi-sample loading.

Includes Don Solaris Analog Voltage sound-pack in Bank H (~ $30 from Waldorf)

Includes custom fitted wooden stand and rubberized encoder knobs. (Original metal knobs are included as well.)"

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John Bowen Solaris V2.0 Update Released

John Bowen

Above is a quick video from John Bowen on the new Phase Mod Oscillator posted back in March. You might remember mention of it in this post from February. The update is now available. Some details via the John Bowen Synth Design forum (pic via this previous post):


"I am very happy to announce the release of v2.0 Operating System for the Solaris!

I wanted to post a huge 'Thank You' to Jim Hewes, who has been laboring for almost 4 years on the Solaris OS. Jim has fixed more than 80 bugs, and added at least a dozen of features that I have requested. During this last year, not only did he completely re-work the entire SysEx code (replacing a bare-bones NRPN system) to allow for MIDI access to all of the now over 7300+ parameters (!), but has been working overtime to get a reasonable 4-part Multimode structure working. I think you will all agree what he has done is managed to save the Solaris from early abandonment to bring it forward as a still viable current instrument. What other hardware synth has been able to do that which came out 10 years ago?

I would also like to thank Hrast for coding the new Phase Mod oscillator type, and Sonic Core for providing the code for the CZ waveshape set. You can view Hrast's work under the name Hrastprogrammer and his wonderful software synth Transiztow: http://www.hrastprogrammer.com/hrastwerk/index.htm...

The biggest structural change is that each Multi Preset now is actually 4 layers deep, making it four times the size of a previous preset. All older presets will load as 4-part Multi Presets. Loading an older preset file automatically converts it into the new Multi Preset format. The new Multi Preset will populate Part 1 with all the parameters, including the Master FX, Output settings, Performance knob assignments, stored joystick position, SamplePool, arpeggiator settings, Assign switches, and BPM. As before, when the Preset LED is on, you are in Preset Mode. Touching any parameter knob will immediately jump out of Preset Mode and put the Solaris into Edit Mode. When in edit mode, the bottom line of the center display will display the current selected parameter, which now includes the part number as P1, P2, etc.

New Oscillator Type: PhaseMod (PhsMod)

In addition to all of the new Multimode features, a 7th Oscillator Type has been added. This features both “DX7-style FM” (otherwise known as Phase Modulation or PM) and Phase Distortion (PD, from the Casio family of CZ synths). The waveshapes provided are as follows: For PM – Sine, Morphing Saw (Morph1), Morphing Square (Morph2) For PD – CZSaw, CZSquare, CZPulse, CZSawPulse, CZReso1, CZReso2, and CZReso3.

For Phase Modulation, use PMod as the mod destination. For Phase Distortion, use the Shape knob and destination. (You can have both types of modulation going on, of course.) On the oscillator’s page 2, you will find Sync and Quant(ization) parameters. For the PhaseMod Type, the only sync value is Gate. For certain PM sounds, you need to ‘lock’ the start of the phase to make sure you have a consistent attack to the sound, or you don’t want to have phase cancellation with stacked oscillators. Gate works with the Phase setting, to restart the phase at a specific point for every note-on event.

Quantize reduces the bit resolution of the PhaseMod oscillator. The range is 0-31 (with 31 = 1 bit). Results are very subtle until you are in the 27-30 range.”

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."

Waldorf Quantum - testing a Prophet VS wavetable! No effects!

Published on Aug 27, 2019 Don Solaris

"Enough with washed in reverb Quantum demos! This is the RAW sound of Quantum playing one single wavetable i recently built from the ROM of Sequential Prophet VS synthesizer. This is a direct audio, no effects, just basic realtime tweaking of the wavetable. There are many more built. Check Gearslutz forum, Quantum thread for details (around date Aug 27)."

John Bowen Solaris SN 0364

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

via this auction, also on Reverb

Update via Z in the comments: "That first photo of the Solaris with the SCI gear is MY PHOTO of MY GEAR."

Note the Solaris has four oscillators, not 3 as stated in this listing, and they are digital, not discrete. I'm guessing by discrete, they mean fully featured, routable, independent oscillators. The Solaris is about as close as it gets to a fully modular poly synth. It's more flexible than most. You can freely assign and route the different components of the synth vs. being stuck on a set path. Check out http://www.johnbowen.com for details.

"Groundbreaking audiophile digital poly, 3 [4] discrete full-range DCOs per voice.

- 7th-generation, this unit is less than one week old.
I received this unit today from Germany.(8.19.19)
- The unit is still sealed in the factory box and has NOT
been opened (see photos #4 & 5)
- John Bowen has assured me the warranty on this unit is transferable and will be 100% honored. I will provide his contact info if you need to confirm.
- This unit's serial # 0364
- This black-faced unit has the optional backlit pitch/modwheels and newly offered OLED screens.(those options cost extra $$)

The entire 2019 run is sold out. I rarely ever see these for sale. I waited 13-months for this one. Don't miss out on a rare opportunity."

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WaveReX Introduces New Memory Carts for the Sequential Circuits Prophet VS

via WaveReX

Don't miss the pics of the cart signed by Dave Smith below!

"The cartridge is available with 16 or 32 banks and do not need a backup battery thanks to MRAM. In addition, we have received a soundset from Don Solaris exclusively for the cartridge."

Note the cart is currently sold out but more are on the way. Also WaveReX will offer a discount for supporting members of MATRIXSYNTH! I'll be sure to put a new post up when they are ready.

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Spectral Audio Neptune 2 - Blue Analog Rackmount Synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on Dec 8, 2010 Don Solaris

"Spectral Audio Neptune II multi-tracked. No effects, just plain raw recording."

via this auction

"It is a 3 OSC true analog monosynth in a rackmount package with MIDI and CV control. It has a very nice vintage voicing. The filter sounds great, particularly the bandpass, and the built in fuzz and distortion makes this synthesizer go from mellow and smooth to aggressive and in your face. Check out the video for a sample of what it can do."

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John Bowen Synth Design Solaris OS Update - v1.4.3

Note there are only 5 Solaris synths remaining. via the John Bowen Synth Design forum:

"Released Sun Mar 10, 2019, v1.4.3 OS fixes a few small display things, and adds two new features:

1) Sample Load routine - Instead of loading samples from the System page, as we have done, now the loading is done within the Preset, on Home page 3, parameter named 'SmpPool'. Each preset can now store the sample pool being used. Then, if the user wants to have each preset automatically load the appropriate sample pool when selected, you can set the System page parameter 'LoadSamp' to On, and Save it there as part of the global init file. If this is set to Off, then the user must go to the Home page #3 and press Enter to load the pool. If several presets call up the same pool, the system checks and knows this, so you don't have to load again. Also, it can take quite some time to load the preset in this case. For example, to load the factory Glockenspiel pool takes about 6 seconds.

2) Added a new function, calling it 'Patch Chain'. This appears on Home page #3 as well, in the top row, labeled as 'Patchain'.

Here's the idea - if a Preset has Patch Chain set On, then each of 5 Presets will be loaded into the DSPs, starting with the one farthest away from the selected preset.This means you can have 5 different sounds, one for each DSP, with 2 voices per sound (remember, the 6th DSP is used for the Master FX).

For example, if I have this parameter On for Preset 100, the first preset loaded will be 104, then 103, 102, 101, and lastly 100. That way, Preset 100 is the one that is being displayed on the front panel. However, any edits to any parameter will then go to all 5 Presets. (If you then go to store an edit, it only knows to do that to the current Preset.)

The sequence does not wrap around, i.e., if Preset 125 has Patch Chain On, it can only load 3 of the presets. The selected Preset (the last to load) goes to all remaining DSPs in this case.

How is this useful - with the Sequential 6Trak and Multi-Trak, I could make 2 Unison stacks of 6 different sounds on one key, and you could get some pretty big Unison sounds this way. Another thing I've liked with this is to have the 5 presets similar enough, but with small variances in tuning, cutoff, etc., to give an even more 'analogy' feel or sound. The voices are selected in a 'round robin' mode usually (depending on the Legato and EGReset modes), and so by repeatedly hitting a single key, you can hear each of the 5 DSPs playing 2 voices each per preset.

Obviously, this takes so forethought and planning, and isn't for everyone. Also note - loading 5 DSPs separately takes slightly longer when selecting the Preset.

I hope Solaris owners enjoy these two added features. I am looking forward to more developments in the near future.

-John Bowen"

Roland JD-990 in box w/manual SN ZE71170

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

via this auction

"One of Roland's high marks of the early 90s, the flagship rack mount beast: the JD-990.

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Roland JV-880 and JV-80 Editors Added to Patch Base

via Coffeeshopped

"Patch Base 3.2 adds 2 new editor/librarians for the Roland JV-880 and JV-80. These synths were the beginning of the family tree that led to the JV-1080 and eventually the powerful XV-5080 (which I'm working on support for!). Don Solaris has a great article and diagrams of the evolution of Roland's sample-based synths.

These new editors give you quick access to the 4 Tone layers of each voice, plus the Chorus and Reverb sections, with copy/paste and randomize features as usual. The Rhythm editor allows the construction of 61-part drum kits, each with their own Pitch and Filter envelopes. And in the Performance section, you can set up your 7-part voice performance, plus a Rhythm section. And of course, each of the banks (Voice, Rhythm, and Performance) can be backed up, swapped out, and rearranged in the app, as well.

Thanks to Paolo Di Nicolantonio for the beautiful JV-880 picture. And here are some screenshots of the new editors."

Pictured in order:

JV-880 Voice Editor
JV-880 Rhythm Editor
JV-880 Performance Editor

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