ARP Solina String Synthesizer

ARP Solina String Synthesizer Image

The Solina String Synthesizer is the rare brother of the String Ensemble. Only about 100 were made, so they are very hard to find. The String Synthesizer pictured above is painted white, but they originally have a standard wood case like the Ensemble models. The String Synthesizer is basically a combination of the String Ensemble and the Arp Explorer 1. You can select between Preset sounds (trumpets, flutes, and clarinets) or make your own using the added VCO, courtesy of the Explorer. It offered way more sound editing than the String Ensemble, and was capable of more diverse sounds.



8 VISITOR COMMENTS

anna-anna
January 6, 2012 @ 10:49 pm
Hi there just wanted to mention Puremagnetik sells the ARP Solina in the "Retho Synths" bundle under "String Machines" (it also comes with Crumar, Roland-09 and Roland VP-330). I love it so much. I'm constantly doing string arrangements so the combination is awesome. Just wanted to let people know, it's helped me a lot. I use it with Ableton. I couldn't possibly afford it or find it for sale (I'm in Brazil).
Bart
October 12, 2011 @ 4:27 pm
I owned one & looking for some way to control it (MIDI,CVgate). It has really great filters, it would be great to use the synthesizer part with a sequencer. If you know how please send message here: poxe@tlen.pl
Kazz
November 23, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
I still have mine. Bought it second hand in 1982 for 1250 Dutch guilders. Needs some restoration now. Just put a clip of my first recording with it (1983) on YouTube, where you can hear how it sounded like then. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2xghvLO668
The K
May 23, 2010 @ 4:20 am
Used by Joy Division (from interview with Bernard Sumner for Synth Britainnia)
RawBT
February 26, 2010 @ 1:00 pm
I have a 1974 Eminence keyboard from Holland.
It contains a Solina String Synthesizer and an explorer one.
These are wired together and have an onboard echo and 'Leslie' simulation. I'm amazed it works and Eminence is amazed I have one, ultra rare according to their former technician. It sounds almost exactly like something you'd expect Dr Who theme song to be performed on.
Accounts show it was sold to a church in Toronto, perhaps only one or two inexistance. I have pics if anyone interested.
 
Post Comment!
VSE Rates It

It’s Good

You Rate It

Rated 3.76 (180 Votes)

  • Specifications
  • Polyphony - 16 Voices
  • Oscillators - One VCO plus viola / violin / cello / contrabass / horn / trumpet
  • LFO - Yes, One
  • Filter - Yes, 24dB/oct self-resonant
  • VCA - Yes, One with Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release controls
  • Keyboard - 49 keys
  • Arpeg/Seq - None
  • Control - CV/GATE
  • Date Produced - 1975

Errors or Corrections? Send them here.