Vintage Synth Explorer

ARP • Solina String Ensemble

(click to enlarge)

The Solina String Ensemble is often thought of as THE String Machine of the late 1970's disco era. It's a multi-orchestral machine with violin, viola, trumpet, horn, cello and contrabass. Instead of attack and decay there are crescendo and sustain controls (which sound more orchestral but are the same thing). Apparently this synth really makes a great string sound, but that's all really... It has gate and trigger outs from the polyphonic keyboard. Completely cased in wood (or wood-like) panels with a clean and discrete layout. It's old, it's vintage, and it's been used by Air, The Eagles, Elton John, Pink Floyd, The Cure, Joy Division, OMD, Josh Wink, STYX, Tangerine Dream, Keane, Japan, and New Order.

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Stoney3K

Posted 5 days ago

Probably worth mentioning, the Solina String Ensemble is the string circuit which was built by Eminent into the 310 series of organs. The 310 is famous for Jarre's Equinoxe and Oxygene sounds, and the organ itself proved to be such a success that ARP licensed the technology and released the Solina. The characteristic "Oxygene" sound was produced by running the Solina through a Small Stone phaser.

The same string section is also present in the Eminent 2000 Grand Theatre organ, however, I would not recommend that one for on the road use!

So, bottom line: ARP Solina, same string section as the 310U, different box.

Johnno

Posted 29 days ago

Henke, Yes Flash did use it I own one and it is it.

Henke

Posted 130 days ago

I've always wondered if it was this one that is used on - basically - all Flash and the Pan albums. They used a string synthesiser up front as their main backing on all songs. I've always wondered which. Their string sound sounds a lot like the one found on KORG Polysix but their albums were made earlier. As much as you can probe deep and scrutinize the net on all info on Flash and the Pan, there's nothing about instrumentation and production, since they were basically a studio spin off project, that went well for the beginning of the 80s. Harry Vanda and George Young were the men behind Flash and The Pan.

l8rdood

Posted 152 days ago

Didn't STYX use this for Mr. Roboto?

Charles Van de Kree

Posted 159 days ago

For nostalgists, the Solina is an interesting find. There's no doubting its sleek and gorgeous string sound. And with a Small Stone phaser, it can really dominate a mix with its icy sheen and flashing neon. On the other hand, they seem to be pretty pricey, going for right around a grand on ebay. Still, for those who want a dedicated string machine, it's probably the best buy--unless that is you can find and afford an Eminent. Good luck with that, though. If you can't afford it, the Ensoniq Mirage is quite capable of doing a spot-on impersonation of the Solina.

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