This fully wood-cased beast is a classic String-Synth of the seventies from Yamaha. It is "multi-phonic" as it uses a divide-down, electric organ type of architechture for its tone generation. There are two tones for each note so it's probably fair to say it's dual-oscillator, and it can create some really lush timbres. It's richer sounding than the ARP Solina String Synth. It has an individual VCA envelope for each key. The four-octave keyboard is not velocity sensitive, and the synth offers just a few controls above the keyboard for choosing preset sounds, and modest tweaking (no filters, LFOs, etc). It has been used by Utravox & Midge Ure.

Odyssist

March 27, 2012 @ 9:13 am

I have an SS-30 + Crumar Performer, Roland RS-202 & RS-09, Elka Rhapsody 610, Yamaha SK-30, & have played the Solina. All I can say is this is by far and away the best.

It's also far more versatile than you might think, having de-tunable oscillators. Sounds you might think are "synths" off the mid-period Ultravox albums (Vienna, RiE), Foxx Metamatic, Visage, etc are actually SS-30. Check out the last low sustained note of "Western Promise" as it fades into "Vienna": SS-30 oscillator beating; no FX! It's an amazing machine, and I'd never part with it. If you ever see one: buy it!

Gerard O'Donnell

July 5, 2011 @ 2:19 am

Yes it's textures are richer, thicker and creamier due to detune facility over chorus. I note you have an estimated value of $400. I can't even get a bite at $100. I wonder as to the validity of your estimation.

Random dude

March 9, 2011 @ 7:29 am

Only two stars....why? MickroKorg five stars? C'mon! Gimme a break. This is the real thing. Buy it if you can.

okavipra

June 3, 2010 @ 6:32 am

i have logan string and arp solina,would give them bouth for this . . . `nougt said . . .

Paul Brown

September 24, 2009 @ 7:31 am

Beautifuly odd looking and rich, lush sounding.
A 'no gimmicks' classic! Promises strings and hell does it deliver!!

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