new Solaris v2.0 announced

johnbowen · Post by **johnbowen** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 6:20 pm

Hi Ben,

Yes, some of the RD Modules do have some specific uses which I may need to explain more thoroughly, although I tried to cover these things in the README file. Still....I know what you mean.
Most of the oscillator types are already inside the Solaris now, so it's only if you want to "double up" on them (where you'd use the Y Cord module) do the oscs come in handy. It's much more likely that the filters and envelopes (especially the multisegment env, for looping, etc.) would be used in the appropriate RD Slots.

Using the 2 ModularWindow modules requires the most preparation and explanation, I think.

cheers,
john

spacef · Post by **spacef** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:14 am

pretty good mp3 demo-song. when is the 2nd track coming ?

decimator · Post by **decimator** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 5:54 pm

Well ... then ... an another one, sorry !

Some of you may have downloaded it at kvr, 9 MB BTW.
Rude, rough, unperfect : realtime play and tweaks, just kept the better parts ... that's all ... but I still like it for what's it's like!

Concerning Solaris 2 and displaying some raw numbers : 2 X 8 possible " sound sources " towards 4 X 4 possible outputs ( filters mixers ) 5 LFOs ( 1 + 1 + 3; by kinds ) 5 EGs ... etc

The possibilities to reinject the mixers into each others, for most OSC, 2 extensive modulations menus for pitch and " shape " ... etc

Oh, large mod menus for short ...

The possibilities to use the filters mixers as mod sources

And the Red Dwarf II modules to spice the sauce : replace the ADSRs by Multipoints, the classic LFOs by the delay, fade in and out ones ; replace the Lowpass, highpass, bandpass, combfilter by any combination of filters ! and I could carry on ...

We are hitting very big numbers of configurations here !!!!

My winners of the bang for the buck 2003 / early 2004 synths awards are Rhino / MelOhman and Solaris 2 / Flexor ( native / CW ,respectively )

And it's snowing hard outside ... also ...

johnbowen · Post by **johnbowen** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 6:14 pm

Something more...

I've just posted this on my site, and wanted to post it here as well. I've been working on adding Vector Synthesis to the next version of Solaris, and it's basically done now. I had a lot of fun with what you see in this picture; 8 drumloops at once, being able to dynamically mix them quickly using the 2 vector mix sections. Here's the screen shot:

<IMG SRC="http://johnbowen.com/nss-folder/picture ... ot_75J.JPG">

cheers,
john b.

Joxer the Mighty · Post by **Joxer the Mighty** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 7:42 pm

Awesome!

And now the question that begs asking, will the update be free of charge to current Solaris 2 owners?

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:01 pm

Hey, cool! But all our presets will be nixed again!!

I haven't checked up on this thread in ages...thanks to everyone for their comments on my Solaris demo!

Shayne

johnbowen · Post by **johnbowen** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 2:07 pm

Shayne,

Your presets won't be 'nixed'...the only thing is the Vector section added...but I know what you mean; once you create new presets using the vector mixers, then the older presets won't 'know' about the vector parameters, and will just leave them as they were prior to the selecting of the (older) preset.

It does take a little work - I've always re-saved the factory presets to include the new parameters (which reminds me, I'd better get to doing that for v2.1).

RE: update fee - normally I'd want to charge for the extra time put in, but since I just released the v2.0 and charged for that, I'll make the v2.1 a free update for all who purchased v2.0.

virtualstudio · Post by **virtualstudio** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 3:08 pm

On 2004-03-12 14:07, johnbowen wrote:

RE: update fee - normally I'd want to charge for the extra time put in, but since I just released the v2.0 and charged for that, I'll make the v2.1 a free update for all who purchased v2.0.

very very happy
I'm just busy with my new system and everytime i load up the SFP with my new toys the SOLARIS put's a smile on my face
I haven't had time to do something constructive with it jet, but I'm sure I will soon.
WHAT A GREAT DEVICE JOHN!!!!

stefanh · Post by **stefanh** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 7:25 am

Wow, John, you are crazy!
Vectorsynthesis inside Solaris, you realy make my day. Do i need any other synth for my pulsar?

My wish from you next, is an analog style drumsynth. Still i am a happy creamwareuser, but it lacks about drums, and i am not a samplefreak.

Thanks John,
Stefan

decimator · Post by **decimator** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 6:20 pm

he, he ...

It seems the value for money has risen an another notch !!
If Solaris 2 was exposed as a modular patch with all its wirings you would need a far bigger screen and you'd have headaches too !!

It can perform *lots* of various simple tasks up to complex ones.
It's a heavy weight, it's a work horse, it's really a " lifetime " synth ...

When you'll buy ( because there's no if ) Red Dwarf II and Flexor modules to add more spice , then your social life will be really ruined !!

I'am not sure about the advertisement impact, but I can prove it !

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 7:34 pm

yeah, John did a marvellous job of tuning on the version 2 Solaris

It loads much faster, looks more compact and is more versatile.
I can suggest it from my heart even for those with few DSPs, as one can deactivate some parts, but still benefit from the Zarg 'specialities' not available elsewhere

Soundwise it's an absolute top scorer, but that's clear anyway, isn't it

cheers, Tom

spacef · Post by **spacef** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 6:20 am

then your social life will be really ruined !!

LOL

johnbowen · Post by **johnbowen** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 5:30 am

OK, the Solaris v2.1 has been released.

The 2 new things - Vector mixers and the current preset name shown in the lower left bottom (across the black strip).

Plus I added 50 new presets from Stephen Hummel, who was kind enough to include some of his wonderful FM stuff for Solaris! (Thanks, Sephen.)

If you are an owner (purchased the upgrade, or purchased new) of Solaris v2.0, you get a free upgrade, and should receive a link from me to download the v2.1 (if you haven't in the next day or so, please email me). If you are a Solaris owner with a version prior to 2.0, you can still purchase the upgrade. Just drop me an email requesting the link.

cheers,
john b.

[ This Message was edited by: johnbowen on 2004-03-17 05:31 ]

wavelength · Post by **wavelength** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 6:57 am

On 2004-03-17 05:30, johnbowen wrote:
OK, the Solaris v2.1 has been released.

The 2 new things - Vector mixers and the current preset name shown in the lower left bottom (across the black strip).

Plus I added 50 new presets from Stephen Hummel, who was kind enough to include some of his wonderful FM stuff for Solaris! (Thanks, Sephen.)

If you are an owner (purchased the upgrade, or purchased new) of Solaris v2.0, you get a free upgrade, and should receive a link from me to download the v2.1 (if you haven't in the next day or so, please email me). If you are a Solaris owner with a version prior to 2.0, you can still purchase the upgrade. Just drop me an email requesting the link.

cheers,
john b.

[ This Message was edited by: johnbowen on 2004-03-17 05:31 ]

hey... I'm addicted to this thing just like everyone else!

t_tangent · Post by **t_tangent** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:12 am

Yes, thanks very much to John for the fantastic 2.1 update. The vector mixer extension is superb. I can see lots of new opportunities using that

This 2.1 update seems to load a bit quicker than 2.0 too, especially between preset patches. Did you do any optimizing for this update too, or is it just my imagination?

Also thanks very much to Stephen for his hard work programming all those wonderful new presets, especially some really cool pad sounds.

Thank you both. Brilliant stuff

wavelength · Post by **wavelength** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 7:00 pm

On 2004-03-17 09:12, t_tangent wrote:

Also thanks very much to Stephen for his hard work programming all those wonderful new presets, especially some really cool pad sounds.

Thank you both. Brilliant stuff

For my part, you are most welcome! This reminds me that users will need to put the "Poly Level" trim-knob (over at the extreme right) to "64" (center) for my patches to sound right... otherwise you will get unwanted distortion. Hope that helps!

Ben Walker · Post by **Ben Walker** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 10:24 am

The best just got better!
Solaris is the most amazing synth already, and here we have a free, unexpected upgrade which gives a huge increase in functionality. The vector synthesis implementation is simple to use, but really powerful. I was up and running with it in no time and the possibilities are fantastic. Can't wait for the weekend.
Stephen's new presets are also wicked (those that I played with anyway) and the preset name on the front panel is a welcome addition that all Pulsar synths should feature.
Many thanks to John & Stephen,
Ben