Black Model John Bowen Solaris Digital Synthesizer

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PPG wave 2.3 cold winter soundscapes

synthlegends

"By pure chance I got a PPG wave 2.3 for a very fair and decent price. The appearance was not very nice, a lot of scratchs on the cover and dirt inside. But I cleaned it and made some paint work, so now it looks beautiful again.

Also the keyboard was broken. I played my PPG via Midi with a master keyboard. That is why I decided not to shot a video while playing. Sorry that I show only some personal footage of winter shots of our beautiful landscape riding with a friend on my bike or walking with kids in with a lot of snow to describe the coldness of the PPG, Of course I added a lot of cool pictures of my new blue baby.
Now the PPG is in service, gets a new fatar keyboard, refurbishment and a new power supply unit plus new display from synthtaste (www. Synthtaste.com).


I never thought that I will ever purchase a PPG and now I am so happy to own one. Most of my favourite albums in the 80ies consisted this undistinguishable sound, like Power Windows from Rush, Worlds Apart from SAGA, Welcome to the pleasuredome from FGTH.

The PPG 2.3 was the latest of all PPG wave (produced from 1984 until 1989). Around 400 units must have been built. The forerunners were the PPG wave 2.0 with only one oscillator and CEM filter chips (1981), after that the PPG wave 2.2 with two oscillators and SEM Filter chips. The wave 2.3 is with 16 bit sample rate instead of 12 bit and is also multitimbral with midi.


The PPG is really one of my favourite synths beside my beloved Sequential Circuits Prophet VS and my Modal Electronics 002 which imitates the PPG quite well.

I have also a John Bowen Solaris with alle waveforms form the PPG, but it isn't the same thing of course. The PPG has its own unique sound because of its decent filter and musical aliasing.
This demo is just recorded, when my PPG arrived. I just tweaked the sounds, went through some wavetables and played everything life without any fx or mastering directly with two audio mono outs to generate a stereo track in my DAW. Please notice that I also used the stereo knob to enhance the stereo field.


I will surely make more videos from my PPG as soon I get it back refurbished.

Cheers and take care, Rüdiger"

John Bowen Solaris v2 0 Video Guide & Solaris Multimode Demo

John Bowen

"I explain the new user interface of the v2.0 operating system for the Solaris synthesizer."

Solaris Multimode Demo
John Bowen

"A short video explaining the new Multimode setup in the forthcoming Solaris v2.0 OS."

Follow-up to this post.

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.”

John Bowen Solaris OLED White in Mint Condition

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John Bowen Solaris - White SN 00122

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"John Bowen Solaris Synthesizer - Serial Number 122 - Built 2013

Beautiful, mint, almost brand new condition John Bowen Solaris in white finish. No scratches anywhere. Looks, works and sounds like new.

Has non-detented pots, but they work smoothly with no glitching or jumping. Volume knob has a very slight wobble that John Bowen himself confirmed is normal on some units manufactured during this time. There is no issue, no crackling or noise. Works perfectly.

Includes, power brick with US power cord, CF Card, USB CF card reader, printed owner's manual and original shipping documentation. Ships in original box and packing foam inserts, which will be supplemented with bubble wrap as needed."

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John Bowen Solaris Synthesizer - Black

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John Bowen Synth Solaris 2018 White

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John Bowen Synth Solaris

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John Bowen Solaris Has Arrived

A few pics of my newly arrived John Bowen Solaris in the studio. I've wanted one of these since they were announced, but could never afford one until a couple of years ago. I talked myself out of one in the beginning, as I already had a Waldorf Q rack and an XTk keyboard, along with plenty of other virtual analog and real analog gear. In the back of my mind though, I knew I might one day own one. A few years ago I reached the breaking point with the synth collection I picked up over the years. I found myself going into the studio and spending time with synths I wasn't sure about keeping to see if I indeed wanted to keep them. I'd decide yes, this synth is great, I should keep it, only to walk out of the studio neglecting other synths that I honestly wanted to play more. I did this for years. The breaking point for me was when a few of the older analogs started exhibiting problems and I realized I didn't have a solid tech in the area. The only way to fix them would be to ship them off incurring the shipping costs to and back over the cost of the repairs. I also began to realize how redundant my synths were. Seriously. They are all either subtractive analog, wavetable, FM, additive, or PCM/sample based in the end. They are all just different flavors of the same thing. I mean how many different brands of vanilla ice cream do you really need? For me synths are about getting lost in the sound - about exploring sound. So yes, the more brands the better, but... just like there's only so much space in my belly for ice cream, I only have so much time in the studio. I realized it was time to let some go and in doing so I could use the money on other gear I'd been GASing on, like the Sequential OB-6, Elektron Digitakt, a Jupiter-XM to replace some vintage Rolands I gave up, and of course the Solaris. The Solaris was actually the first on the list. As I said, I wanted one since the start. I also know John Bowen, and no I did not get a deal on my Solaris. The Solaris is a labor of love and John pretty much runs the show on his own. He does work with others on building them of course, but this is a small enterprise. You can't find these in shops. They are exclusively sold on John Bowen's website: https://johnbowen.com, and there is a wait time. When I reached out to John about finally getting one he let me know this might be the last run. It was run number 7 and I asked him if I could get the last one. He said yes so I went for it. A couple of years later it arrived. (P.S. I heard there might be another run and John is still working on the OS, an expander, and possibly a desktop version, see the update in red below).

Do I have any regrets? I can emphatically say no. This is an amazing synth. What sets it apart is it has four, not three fully blown oscillators that can be morphed with a joystick for vector synthesis of wavetable and virtual analog synthesis. No other synth that I am aware of can do this. It is also fully modular. If you look at each display panel section, each knob, you can essentially load anything into them and route them however you want. Things aren't locked in place like other synths. The Solaris also runs at a super high resolution - 96kHz to be exact. People say it sounds analog and this is not an overstatement. It sounds amazing. I hate to say it, but it leaves my Q in the dust. It just sounds so much more bold and present. It is hands down the best sounding VA and Wavetable synth I own. I've owned a lot of synths over the years including some of the most sought after - Jupiter-8, OB-Xa, Matrix-12, Prophet-5, Rhodes Chroma, Alesis Andromeda A6, Yamaha CS-60, original Minimoog Model D, ARP Odyssey with CMS mods, and more. The Solaris is right up there with them if not surpassing them. It is that good. It feels different too. It feels like a powerhouse design tool. A synth of synths, so to speak. Note it also has the Prophet VS waveforms. I have a Prophet VS rack (you can see it in the top right), and I can say the Solaris sonically matches it - it has that transparent, bold presence missing in many digital synths. An unintended added bonus is the Solaris joystick actually works with the Prophet VS! :)

That said, if you do plan on picking up a Solaris or a Solaris expander, reach out to John first. This isn't an order now and get it next week sort of synth. It's more of a long term investment. How long? For me it was two years as I wanted the last of the final run. It was worth the wait.

Update: I should note my Solaris has a unique serial number out of the standard sequence. It's 10041. I'm curious if anyone will recognize the reference. :) So, although this might not be the last Solaris keyboard, it will have an interestingly unique SN. :) I also updated the above with the following: "Note it also has the Prophet VS waveforms. I have a Prophet VS rack and the Solaris sonically matches it - it has that transparent, bold, presence missing in many digital synths."

As for a new Solaris, there is work on a Solaris expander and possibly a desktop version. See this post for some desktop pics including an OS update (also in my studio), and see here for the expander sitting on top of two 1U mixers in the top right. You can find a demo from Sonicstate at NAMM 2020 posted here.

Solaris Synthesizer Sound Demo

Published on May 8, 2020 Pure Ambient Drone

"Part three of my Solaris Synthesizer sound demos. This is a long demo of the John Bowen Solaris synthesizer. I am going through the presets of the synthesizer with no external effects. All you hear is the John Bowen Solaris."

Pure Ambient Drone Solaris posts

John Bowen - Solaris Digital Modular Synthesizer

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"As-new condition, no smoke, no gigging, private home studio. Latest OS and patches installed.

I am the original owner, purchased directly from John Bowen in 2013.

I am a noodler, so I have used this synth very lightly.

Keybed and knobs are as-new.

Sounds as good as they say i.e. 96Mhz sampling rate.

Both Black Octupus patch sets are on the SSD card (free + paid-for second set)

No problems electrically, mechanically, or cosmetically.

Accessories included:

- T-shirt
- Original manual
- A SSD card adaptor for working with the Solaris SSd card
- The original Sound on Sound article that reviews this synth"

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John Bowen Solaris Demo No talking

Published on May 1, 2020 Pure Ambient Drone

https://johnbowen.com

Lot's of bass in this one. Follow-up to this demo.

"John Bowen Solaris Synthesizer Demo. Hear the sounds of the Solaris Synth. No talking sound demo of the John Bowen Solaris."

Update:

John Bowen Solaris Demo 2

Published on May 2, 2020 Pure Ambient Drone

"Solaris Synthesizer Demo. Part two John Bowen Solaris Sound Demo. Here I am going through the presets of the synthesizer with no external effects. All you hear is the Solaris."

New John Bowen "Quadralaris" In the Works

via John Bowen (click through for additional details and a pic)

"I've been working in secret on a new UI design to satisfy the many requests to have a version of the Solaris with lots of sliders instead of displays for the parameters. This new model comes as a 4-part multitimbral device, hence the name.

All sliders are magnetically motorized, using the lastest developments in solenoid design. Sliders are color-coded for quick understanding of audio or controller signals. As with the current Solaris, any signal can be patched to any module, allowing for greater flexibility in sound modulation. Along with a joystick for vector synthesis control, the entire blank panel above the keyboard acts as a 3-dimensional ribbon controller, for MPE applications.

John Bowen Solaris Sound Demo

Published on Mar 31, 2020 Pure Ambient Drone
Update: Re-Published on Apr 28, 2020

https://johnbowen.com

"John Bowen Solaris Demo. No talking of some Solaris preset patches.

The general concept behind the John Bowen Solaris synthesizer is to implement something like a giant wall-sized modular system entirely in software where you can select among several completely different types of oscillators and filters, exquisitely modelled after the components culled from a variety of legendary vintage synthesizers of yesteryear and even some current virtual analog innovations of today. With up to four oscillators, four filters, four amplifiers, four four-input mixers, six envelope generators, one looping envelope generator, five LFOs, two vector mixers and still more of these software modules available in each program, the Solaris synthesizer becomes absolutely unrivalled in terms of versatility and programmability."

Black Octopus Sound - Event Horizon 3 (128 Presets for the John Bowen Solaris) by Toby Emerson

Published on Feb 16, 2020 Black Octopus Sound

http://johnbowen.com

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

See my post on the upcoming V2.0 OS update.

"Get it here: https://blackoctopus-sound.com/produc...

Event Horizon 3 for the John Bowen Solaris has arrived. Created by Toby Emerson, this bank of 128 presets will take you on a journey of endless evolving pads, deep subsonic basses, cutting edge leads, nostalgic keys, and inspiring synth plucks. The sound capabilities of the Solaris are extremely deep, and Event Horizon 3 explores new sonic territories with the Solaris, utilizing some of its unique features such as rotors, amplitude modulation, feedback routing, wavetable modulation, Linear FM, and more. If you are looking for a huge bank of timeless and inspiring sounds for any genre of electronic music then look no further than Event Horizon 3 for the John Bowen Solaris – one of the greatest synthesizers ever made.

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Upcoming John Bowen Solaris v2.0 Update Adds Yamaha FM & Casio CZ Phase Distortion Synthesis

http://johnbowen.com

John Bowen dropped by the other day with the Solaris Desktop prototype. Not only did I get a peek at the new design, but I was able to take a look at the upcoming v2.0 OS, which adds both Yamaha style "FM synthesis" and Casio's CZ Phase Distortion synthesis. It also adds multi-part support. You'll find a few pics in this post. Apologies for the lighting but it is dark in the studio. :) Below you'll find a few angled shots of the desktop. In person it's not as large as I had expected. It's similar to an Oberheim Xpander which seems appropriate considering their similarities. Both have multiple displays and have been described as essentially modulars in a box. From what I understand, the Solaris is a bit more flexible as you can essentially re-order the signal path. It's a pretty amazing synth. John Bowen opted for a high resolution 96kHz signal path and you can hear it. The Solaris sounds absolutely astonishing. It has four oscillators with a vector joystick to morph between them. You can also cycle through oscillator waveforms up into the audio range with the unique "Rotors" feature on the Solaris. Click here for a full list of current features. Note the v2.0 features aren't yet listed.

The Solaris has four oscillators allowing for a 4-OP FM synth. If you are familiar with Yamaha FM synthesis you know you select how each operator modulates the other from various algorithms. On the Solaris, however, you can freely map oscillators any way you like, including back into each other. The Solaris is essentially modular, allowing you to freely route components of the synth engine. Aside from FM and Phase Distortion, the new OS also adds an assignable 4-part multi mode. Assignable not only by patch, but by number of voices allocated to each part. The following is what John had to say about the upcoming OS:

"v2.0 OS will add a new Oscillator Type called Phase Mod. This allows for true 'DX style FM,' which is actually phase modulation. With four oscillators, you can create 4 Operator algorithms. It also includes waveshapes emulating the CZ Phase Distortion series. The modulation destination which normally shows as LinFM changes to PhasMod when this oscillator type is selected. For the CZ series, the Shape parameter controls the amount of phase distortion.

The new Multimode code allows for 4-part arrangement. Each part shares a common 'voice pool' of 5 pairs of voices (total of 10), and you decide how many voices can be assigned to each part, with 2 voices in a part as the minimum assignment. (Using identical presets with the new Solaris Voice Expander module adds another 10 voices.)

The Multimode structure converts old presets into a larger preset structure that holds the parameters for all 4 parts. All edits to any parameter are stored separately, so any preset used to populate a part from any other preset is not affected, and remains a separate object. Each of the 4 parts provides control over velocity and key zoning, volume level, pan position, transpose, fine tuning, arpeggiator function, and a number of other MIDI controller settings."

You can find additional posts including demos of the Solaris here.

http://johnbowen.com

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NAMM 2020 John Bowen Solaris Desktop Synthesizer & Voice Expander

Published on Jan 20, 2020 sonicstate

"John Bowen's Solaris is now available in desktop form. One of the first all digital synthesizers with many models of classic analog elements. The Desktop version features AMOLED displays and is much smaller than people expect."

http://www.johnbowen.com

John Bowen Solaris Desktop posts

John Bowen 1U Solaris Expander Rack

I totally missed it. See the update in this post. Thanks to Z for catching it!

John Bowen Desktop Solaris Spotted at NAMM

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child, via sonicstate's Instagram

You can find one more pic (non-NAMM shot) here.

Update: note the 1U Solaris voice expander above the racks.  I totally missed it in the rush of posting.  Thanks goes to Z for catching it!

Cropped pic below.

http://www.johnbowen.com