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.

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..."

CLICK FOR MORE »

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."

CLICK FOR MORE »

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 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.

CLICK FOR MORE »

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.”

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."

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.

CLICK FOR MORE »