new Solaris v2.0 announced

johnbowen · Post by **johnbowen** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 6:22 pm

Right on the heels of finishing the new RD Module series II comes a major upgrade in functional capability to the Solaris. Already acclaimed for its extensive signal routing and processing power, the next version of Solaris incorporates even further implementation of the RD Module slots, as well as a complete redesign/relocation of the second page functions (with the second page now eliminated), making it even easier to program.

Now with the Filter outputs as possible signal inputs, you can create feedback loops within each filter section, or have the function of series filters connections (the filter output is taken before the pan module, so the series filter signal's panning is determined by the last filter in line). You also can get some useful and strange distortion of the filters if desired, among many, many other things! Please see the Zarg Music Web site for details on all the forthcoming changes.
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Current Solaris owners will be able to purchase the upgrade to v2.0 for 40 Euros; if you purchased Solaris within the last month, your upgrade will be free.

Coming soon!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: johnbowen on 2003-12-05 18:23 ]</font>

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Sat Dec 06, 2003 8:14 pm

Cool! When's it supposed to be out?

Shayne

johnbowen · Post by **johnbowen** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 1:03 pm

As Shayne has posted already (thanks, Shayne), the Solaris v2.0 has been released. Please visit the Zarg Music web site for more info.

Basically, I thought I was done with designing my most flexible synth ever back when the Solaris was first introduced...but it's hard not to want to continually tweak things (as probably most of you know), and somehow another 20 or so changes found their way into this version!

I'm really excited about the changes, and I hope others will be as well.

All the best for 2004,
regards,
John b.

interloper · Post by **interloper** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 2:56 pm

On 2004-01-11 13:03, johnbowen wrote:

Basically, I thought I was done with designing my most flexible synth ever back when the Solaris was first introduced...but it's hard not to want to continually tweak things (as probably most of you know), and somehow another 20 or so changes found their way into this version!

And we thank you for that!

Sven

mano · Post by **mano** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 9:40 pm

Hey John

Do you have a press release for the actual release of Solaris 2?

I'd publish it on the FP industry news (Future Producers)

-mano

johnbowen · Post by **johnbowen** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 11:18 am

Ummm, no press release put together yet - I'll have to do that before I leave for NAMM.<p>

I just got this first response from a Solaris v2.0 user, and I was so happy to see it...and wanted to post it here:<p>
Hi John!

I just had to give you some compliments on your Solaris v2.0. Now
that I've spent some hours tweaking and listening to this synth (though I have
only touched on a fraction of what this synth can do), I have completely
fallen in love with it. The design of the synth is pretty much perfect. The MM
and WT oscillators sound better than ever, in fact they can easily compare
soundwise with just about any virtual analog synth emulation out
there(hardware and software). It's also great being able to mix both the MM
and WT oscs with FM-synthesis and the Rotor-oscs, which can easily give you
very weird and aggressive sounds, and the inclusion of the CEM oscs and filter
is greatly appreciated. This has to be the crowning achievement as far as
pulsar synthesis goes. If I only were allowed to use one pulsar synth, this
would be THE ONE!

I only hope Creamware continues to exist for several
decades, because this synth is a timeless classic, which I want to use for
many years to come!

Regards,
Steinar Mikkelsen

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 6:02 pm

I completely second that!! Solaris is one of the most amazing synthesizers ever created. It can produce almost any kind of sound you could dream up!

Shayne

decimator · Post by **decimator** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 4:42 pm

It's not a normal synth, it's nearly a modular !

Massive possibilities and massive sounds lying in a fat rectangle GUI and countless bottomless modsources menus.
The kind of synth to keep you busy and happy for a very loooong time.
Those 70 + Red Dwarf II modules also adds an another truckload dumping of fun !!

You just have 2 options : buy now or save now in order to buy later.

6 DSPs or more definitely recommended though to use at full fire power, however, total bliss here on a Pulsar II

mano · Post by **mano** » Fri Jan 16, 2004 6:54 pm

press-release published!

t_tangent · Post by **t_tangent** » Fri Jan 16, 2004 9:43 pm

I just wrote a really long message to this, and just as I was about to send it, we had a powercut. Damned weather

Very annoying, and I have had to rewrite this all again. So here's a short version of the same comment.

I have noticed the number of people writing in about the Access Virus being ported to TC Powercore. While that is a fine synth & platform, I was amused, and amazed, that few people had mentioned a synth that has been available for the SFP platform for several months now, and is possibly one of the most flexible and comprehensive devices going.

I am of course talking about the Solaris synth, available from http://www.zargmusic.com

If you dont have this synth, then you just MUST get it. Put it this way, if there was just one synth I had for SFP, this would be it. Created by one of the Electronic Music Industry's foremost synth designers, John Bowen, quality of sound and flexibility are its main features. Yes, it is a complex device, and is quite hungry on dsp. But the main function of this device is to deliver the most amazing sounds available. You can also invest in the RD II modules addon pack, which fully integrates into the Solaris and adds even more sonic capabilities.

In a short time it is not difficult for even a thickie like myself to be able to create the most amazing sound patches and effects.
In short, it is a truly awesome device, and a must have for any serious Creamware user.

Well, thats about it, so thanks for listening...and John, thanks for listening, haha

johnbowen · Post by **johnbowen** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 3:42 am

Wow, thanks for this message! (Now I have to figure out who it is

).

I appreciate all the great comments I've gotten privately regarding the updated Solaris, but it's even nicer to see the public postings!

Regards,
John B.

bassdude · Post by **bassdude** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 5:56 am

There must be a reason while you are still hanging around rather than going all VSTi John!?

Anyway, the Solaris is the next on my buy list (after monitoring amps/speakers) so I'll talk to you soon.

Cheers.

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 11:15 am

definitely on my list too, but I won't have the money for some time yet

Are there any sound examples for the Solaris 2 available? I would love to hear what it can do.

johnbowen · Post by **johnbowen** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 3:34 pm

Well....I still hange around because Scope DP allows me to create the synths on my own. I don't know how to code for VST, and so would have to hire that out (which I did start doing with the Ambient synth last year). However, after I got some marketing numbers on sales and piracy for VST products, I decided to stop the project.

Secondly, the audio quality in VST synths, although getting better, still hasn't been completely up to what I have wanted for a synth. Programs like SynthEdit or Reaktor look to be quite capable, but when I heard the actual output of these (for analog simulations), I became dissatisfied quickly, compared to results from my Creamware stuff.

For the future, I still have to consider how to grow my user base, and some other ways to go, but for now, it's only Creamware!

john b.

P.S. by the way, since I know the Solaris price is a deterrent for some, I'd like to know if there would be interest for a "Solaris Junior", and at what price....please email me directly if you would like to respond to this.

petal · Post by **petal** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 3:53 pm

A "solaris junior" - what exactly do you mean - A not so advanced version with fewer options?

Well being a student myself, I was thinking more in terms of student discount the other day, not that I think the current price is unfair for what you get though....

Cheers!
Thomas

johnbowen · Post by **johnbowen** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 4:30 am

Hi,

Yes, a Solaris Jr. would have less functions, and use less DSP, be smaller in file size, etc. Probably as follows:

1) 4 oscs (2 multimode, 2 wavetable)
2) one filter (which can select from all 4 types and variations)
3) less envelopes and LFOs
4) no sequencer
5) no modular windows

It could still have the RD Slots, so it could be expandable.

This represents a configuration that covers a fair amount of the factory presets.

As I said earlier, feedback would be appreciated....

-john b

petal · Post by **petal** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 6:10 am

Well, if you plan to make it an upgradeable solution, then I think it might be a good idea - People who don't have a lot of money buy the junior-version first, and then when they get the rest of the money they upgrade to the big version for a small extra fee.

The Junior version should be available for owners of the original for a small fee. Because of the DSP-economics in the solution it might be an attractive offer.

The junior version should be able to load patches from the original version, in order for owners of both versions to save DSP, if they don't need the extra options on the original version in a particular project, or decide that the sound produced on the junior with the original patches will do.

So a two step buy and flexible DSP-saving solution, and patch-interchangeability between the two versions might be a good idea.

Cheers!
Thomas

ps: oh, and so would student discounts

marcuspocus · Post by **marcuspocus** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 7:12 am

Hi John, I think this would be a good option for people with less dsp, would be a good option for me at least

I don't have that much dsp (7), a jr. version with lower dsp usage would work for me.

The Solaris jr. would be my next synth

Post by **hubird** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 9:12 am

the same here!

wayne · Post by **wayne** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 9:25 am

me want one