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John Bowen and Solaris go Hardware! Wow!
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faxinadu
Faxi Nadu / Elmooht
Started Topics :
282
Posts :
3394
Posted : Mar 28, 2007 22:05
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http://createdigitalmusic.com/2007/03/28/messe-interview-john-bowen-discusses-the-solaris-keyboard-synthesizer/
Sequential … Korg Wavestation … the original Korg OASYS … Creamware SCOPE … if you don’t know the name John Bowen, you’ll know the instruments he produced. CDM’s James Grahame got to talk to John Bowen on the eve of unveiling the new Solaris synth. (See Matrixsynth’s scoop on the new product, then hear what the creator has to say.)
Perhaps the biggest surprise at the 2007 Frankfurt Musikmesse is the Solaris keyboard synthesizer from industry ‘old timer’ (his words, not mine) John Bowen. The Solaris is set to turn the electronic music world on its ear as the first hardware synth inspired by a softsynth.
Solaris started life as a semi-modular software synthesizer for CreamWare’s Scope DSP cards, and it quickly gained a reputation as an unusually versatile device. I caught up with John a few days before Musikmesse to chat about his new instrument.
John Bowen got his start in the music industry as a clinician for Moog in the early 1970s, before striking up a friendship and working relationship with Dave Smith of Sequential Circuits. He joined Yamaha for a short while in the late 1980s before moving to Korg as the product manager for the Wavestation. John also worked on the original Korg OASYS keyboard. Since 1998, he has designed a range of versatile softsynths for the Creamware Scope platform at Zarg Music.
To develop the new Solaris keyboard synthesizer, John teamed up with Holger Drenkelfort and Juergen Kindermann of SonicCore in Germany. The team had previously worked on the CreamWare Scope system. They leveraged their skills to develop a brand new hardware and software design that uses Analog Devices SHARC DSP chips to crunch newly developed synthesis algorithms at 96 kHz. Sound quality is paramount.
The result is a hands-on instrument with enormous programming depth and flexibility. It features high quality synthesis algorithms, a 5-octave keyboard and one of the most comprehensive front panels in modern history, offering a 240 x 64 graphic display, five 40 x 2 character displays and 40 rotary encoders. After spending more than a decade immersed in the software world, it’s remarkable to see Bowen return to his hardware roots.
pictures:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_FMBJEkaC8Lw/RglSefQMp0I/AAAAAAAACYU/TQ7SXQbBA_E/s1600-h/IMG_4004.JPG
http://bp2.blogger.com/_FMBJEkaC8Lw/RggyyPQMpnI/AAAAAAAACWs/wZNpzi-6GvQ/s1600-h/IMG_4011.JPG
http://www.johnbowen.com/images/closeups/IMG_4003.jpg
http://www.johnbowen.com/images/closeups/IMG_4004.jpg
http://www.johnbowen.com/images/closeups/IMG_4005.jpg
http://www.johnbowen.com/images/closeups/IMG_4006.jpg
http://www.johnbowen.com/images/closeups/IMG_4013.jpg
disscusion:
http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=21898
I want one NOOOOOW /droool
 
The Way Back
https://faxinadu.bandcamp.com/album/the-way-back |
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Alex - Aural Invasion
Aural Invasion
Started Topics :
37
Posts :
514
Posted : Mar 28, 2007 23:17
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it looks great! Is there any soundclips?
myspace.com/auralinvasion
reverbnation.com/auralinvasion
www.aural-invasion.com |
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psyaudionamics
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
38
Posts :
546
Posted : Mar 28, 2007 23:21
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i think i just creamed again first with the nord wave and now this man i gotta go over time with the prostituting...
thats one sexy synth... sexier than the nord to be honest |
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vipal
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
123
Posts :
1397
Posted : Mar 29, 2007 01:07
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oops around 3000 euro they say, lets try to get my scopecard working |
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JaLi
Started Topics :
6
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173
Posted : Mar 29, 2007 01:56
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i expect it to be pricey but really looking forward to giving it a try...! Sexy thang
Reasons to be cheerful are 3..! |
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Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
95
Posts :
5380
Posted : Mar 29, 2007 03:46
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faxinadu
Faxi Nadu / Elmooht
Started Topics :
282
Posts :
3394
Posted : Mar 29, 2007 10:08
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Mike A
Subra
Started Topics :
185
Posts :
3954
Posted : Mar 29, 2007 15:36
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Quote:
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On 2007-03-29 03:46, Colin OOOD wrote:
Anything with buttons labelled "Osc 4", "Filter 4" and "Env 5/6" gets my vote! I'd like to see a pic of the complete front panel...
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You know, there is a train station in my city with "Platform 2", "Platform 3" and "Platform 4".
No one knows where the first one disappeared. 
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neuromantik
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
28
Posts :
593
Posted : Aug 15, 2007 22:10
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can you tell me what SCOPE softsynth was Solaris based on? |
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Diaks
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
90
Posted : Aug 16, 2007 02:04
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faxinadu
Faxi Nadu / Elmooht
Started Topics :
282
Posts :
3394
Posted : Aug 16, 2007 14:32
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Quote:
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On 2007-08-15 22:10, neuromantik wrote:
can you tell me what SCOPE softsynth was Solaris based on?
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hehehe its based on the Solaris Scope synth, by john bown and sold on his site.
The Way Back
https://faxinadu.bandcamp.com/album/the-way-back |
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neuromantik
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
28
Posts :
593
Posted : Aug 16, 2007 16:17
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Quote:
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On 2007-08-16 14:32, faxinadu wrote:
Quote:
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On 2007-08-15 22:10, neuromantik wrote:
can you tell me what SCOPE softsynth was Solaris based on?
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hehehe its based on the Solaris Scope synth, by john bown and sold on his site.
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Wait so the 3000$ pricetag is for the hardware version or the SCOPE software version? I'm confused... If it is for the hw version, can you point me to a link where I can purchase the sw version?
If not, well then I'll pass, no softsynth is worth 3000$, guess I just stick to my flexor  |
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faxinadu
Faxi Nadu / Elmooht
Started Topics :
282
Posts :
3394
Posted : Aug 16, 2007 16:24
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the software version is available here - www.zargmusic.com
from looking at it the price is 199euro
but if you want something that imo is even cooler from john, then get the ProWave system, that is next on my scope wishlist.
the hw version of solaris from what i understand is not exactly the same as software, just the basis for the idea.
The Way Back
https://faxinadu.bandcamp.com/album/the-way-back |
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Kryptum
Kryptum
Started Topics :
13
Posts :
229
Posted : Aug 17, 2007 06:50
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this is one innovative beast!