Switched On Synthesizer: ARP - Solina String Ensemble

ARP / SOLINA STRING-ENSEMBLE - HQ DEMO - with Korg Minipops 7

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The Solina String-Ensemble came out 1973 and was the first "stand alone" electronic string ensemble - the original "string machine". It was a portable, cutdown version of the string ensemble, which was a part of the Eminent 310U organ. It sounds different to the Eminent 310U, although quite similar. It uses "divide-down" organ technology, is full polyphonic and has a very characterful sound.

The Solina was a great success in the seventies and was used by many artists on many recordings. The String-Ensemble was developed and produced by Eminent in Holland. ARP bought the rights to sell it under their name. Outside the USA the "ARP STRING-ENSEMBLE" is known as "SOLINA STRING-ENSEMBLE". For the US market, ARP just put ARP-stickers on it...

Many manufacturers tried to copy it (Logan String Melody, Elka Rhapsody, Crumar Multiman, Farfisa String Orchestra, Jen String Machine, Siel Orchestra, just to name a few). Indeed, every organ manufacturer had one to offer...
but the Solina remains the best (or at least one of the best) with its fat, unique and charming sound.

USERS:

Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream) used it on many records (Green Desert, Aqua, Le Park, Underwater Sunlight, etc.), Herbie Hancock (Secrets), AIR (Moon Safari), Mike Oldfield, Richard Wright / Pink Floyd (Shine On You Crazy Diamond), Kraftwerk (Autobahn album), Elton John (Song for Guy), Nick Straker (A walk in the park), Geoff Downes / Buggles (Video killed the radio star), the Bee Gees and the Carpenters (on live performances) ...

By the way: Jean-Michel Jarre never used this one on his recordings. He used the Eminent 310U, which sounds different.

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