The Soloist 505 is a very simple monophonic synth. Its look reminds one of a Roland SH-1000, but with its controls on the front. To make the organ-look complete it has a really ugly sheet-music stand. The sound is very clear and clean like many Italian cousins (Siel). There is a preset section but the waveforms can also be modified in 'free' mode. Don't expect any huge sound experiences out of this heavy thing. But the keyboard is good and there are some presets such as the sax and trombone which have some power worth exploring. It's cute and slightly rare - but don't pay any big money for it. No MIDI or CV here.

Dean aspinol

May 4, 2013 @ 8:50 pm

Beautiful sounding synth - Every bit as exciting as the ARP soloist but with a different, interesting sound. Put this through some reverb and or delay and you are away in gorgeous lead heaven.
I own an arp soloist and I also own this 505 and to me it is a really interesting sounding bit of kit.

jesper

April 9, 2013 @ 8:08 am

Well, I wrote the original description and amazingly enough I stand by it still after all these years. I have owned around 100 synths since and circa 50 has stayed. The Elka wasn't among them and if you want a Moogfilter - get a real one, I did. If you want a decent solo synth this is still OK for the job.

turquoisecapricorn

October 8, 2012 @ 2:33 pm

I do not agree with the journalist who wrote this article. Does he know that this Elka has a ( copied ) moog-filter inside?! And that on the label on the back of the synth stands "patters pending".So you can get beautiful fat sounds out of this Elka.I could buy one only for 150 Euros.Mine has chromatic touches as on a chromatic accordion.

turquoisecapricorn

October 8, 2012 @ 2:33 pm

I do not agree with the journalist who wrote this article. Does he know that this Elka has a ( copied ) moog-filter inside?! And that on the label on the back of the synth stands "patters pending".So you can get beautiful fat sounds out of this Elka.I could buy one only for 150 Euros.Mine has chromatic touches as on a chromatic accordion.

Philipp

September 6, 2012 @ 9:52 am

very nice italian sound and design. not a must have but a 'good to have' :)

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