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"Up for auction is " Solartron ", a custom built, one of a kind, Experimental Synth Theremin Midi Controller. I recently sold Solartron's big brother, " Zontar ", here on Ebay for $ 1,500, so for those of you who missed Zontar, here is your chance. The band Mute Math uses a much simpler version of this device, and this unique proto-type is being offered to the most discriminating electronics collector. Solartron is actually two separate electronic devices which can be controlled independently, or simultaneously for additional sonic madness, all housed in a space-aged frame.
The first function of Solartron is as an experimental Midi Ribbon Controller. These controls are located in the middle section of the device. The black knob on the left hand side of the front panel is the Midi Rate, or Speed knob, which also provides Arpeggiator-Type patterns. The black knob in the middle is the Master Volume control. The green push-button to the right of the Master Volume is the " Rate Burst " control. This control instantaneously increases the Rate or Speed. The green button on the lower portion of the middle front panel is the Power On/Off Switch for the Midi Controller, and the black knob on the right hand side of the front panel is the Midi Patch Selector, which allows you to switch the Midi Patch Program on the fly. The Midi Controller section is powered by a 9-volt battery, located on the left side panel, an LED light indicates that it is powered up, and the Midi Output Jack is located on the right hand side panel.
The second function of Solartron is a Light Sensitive Photocell Theremin. The Photocell Theremin is housed in a small Red Dome, located in the top portion of the device, directly above the Midi Controller section. The green button to the left of the Red Photocell Dome is the Photocell Theremin On/Off Switch. The Photocell Theremin operates off of the same 9-volt battery as the Midi Controller section.
A third feature of " Solartron " is quite unique, and was not offered on " Zontar ". The lower section of Solartron features a Red Radioactive Symbol on clear plexiglass, and behind the plexiglass are Red Flashing LED lights. The upper portion of Solartron also features a row of Red Flashing LED lights behind a clear plexiglass panel. A green button on the left side panel near the Theremin Controller activates the Red Flashing LED lights, and are independently powered by a 9-volt battery located on the left side panel. A large Black Knob is located on the right side panel, and with this knob you may control the rate, or speed at which the Red LED Radioactive Symbol and row of LED's flash. This is a very cool feature, which allows you to sync up the rate of the flashing Radioactive Panel and LED lights with the rate or speed of notes generated by the Midi Controller Ribbon or Photocell Theremin. This would be quite effective visually in live performances, yet can always be shut off with the power button if not required.
Solartron features guitar strap lugs, which enables the user to strap Solartron on like a guitar. Solartron is approximately the length of a guitar, yet weighs less due to it's lightweight, aluminum housing. Solartron features a silver/gray post on the left-side of the neck which is decorative in nature, but also serves to stabilize and balance the neck portion of the device. Please note that Solartron sounds and reacts differently with each Midi device, which can be considered part of it's charm. If you wish to hear sound samples of Solartron, please send an e-mail, where I can direct you to the appropriate site."
If anyone has the link, feel free to comment.
Click here for a collection of synth adverts on polynominal. There is also a poll at the bottom of the page for the ugliest advert. Check out this French ad for the Oberheim SEM line.
"super-rare ARP 2500 from the personal collection of Phil Cirocco of CMS / Discrete Synthesizers. It features a rare, vintage ARP 2002 cabinet, a 3000 series four voice keyboard and a full compliment of 1000 series modules. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a fully functional, killer sounding synthesizer, as well as a rare piece of electronic music history. The 2002 cabinet is in good condition. It is all original and has not been restored. It was made in 1970. It is a very early and rare version featuring 10 patching tracks on the top section instead of the 20 that later versions use. The top section of a 2500 is only used for CV, gate and trigger etc. so 10 tracks is usually adequate for most situations. It has 20 tracks on the bottom as all 2500s do. Also, this early unit is more compact and uses its space more efficiently than later versions. (Many people complain about the large amount of real estate that later version 2500 cabinets use up.) The power supply was upgraded here at CMS about 2 years ago to a 1.5 Amp, low noise high performance unit. The separate 12v lamp power supply was also recently rebuilt. The Keyboard is a standard ARP 2500 4 voice split keyboard. The rubber mounts of the key contact PCB have been replaced. The key contacts have been cleaned. The rubber pads of the keyboard are intact. The keyboard is fully functional. The keys are in very good condition. The hardwood keyboard cabinet is in very good condition. There is a very small ding on the left keyboard control panel. It includes the keyboard connection cables as well as the AC cable. The 1000 series modules are fully functional and have been meticulously maintained here at CMS for the past decade. The module compliment includes the legendary ARP 1047 Multimode Filter and the ARP 1027 sequencer. The 1004T VCO and the 1036 Dual Sample Hold were originally owned by the ARP factory as production samples. The dual VCO is a super-rare prototype developed at ARP by Roger Powell and Clark Ferguson.
1004T VCO
via this auction.
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The second function of Solartron is a Light Sensitive Photocell Theremin. The Photocell Theremin is housed in a small Red Dome, located in the top portion of the device, directly above the Midi Controller section. The green button to the left of the Red Photocell Dome is the Photocell Theremin On/Off Switch. The Photocell Theremin operates off of the same 9-volt battery as the Midi Controller section.
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drawbars so you can dial in many organ sounds. The Polyphonic synth section, while very basic, sounds great and unmistakably vintage. The best feature of this synth is that all these sounds are stackable, creating nice unique texture. This is also helped by the fact that the effects section sounds amazing : it has vibrato, tremolo and an "ensemble" type chorus similar to the Solina. The vibrato actually slows down and speeds up to create a leslie-type effect. This synth is a good way to get the 'typical string sound of the 70s and beyond (from Pink Floyd to the Cure to Sigor Ros), it's built really well, better than most other string synths, making a good long-term investment."
