The ARP String Ensemble, produced by Solina (a.k.a. Eminent NV) from 1974 to 1981, is a fully polyphonic multi-orchestral synthesizer with a 49-key keyboard.
The sounds it offers are violin, viola, trumpet, horn, cello and contrabass. The keyboard uses ‘organ style’ divide-down technology to make it polyphonic.
A built-in chorus effect gives the instrument its famous sound.
Famous players include Deodato, The Buggles, Elton John, Air and Pink Floyd.
If you’ve used the ARP Solina String Ensemble, leave a comment with your thoughts/ratings!
Resources:
- Wikipedia entry for ARP String Ensemble
- Retrosound’s Solina String Synth page
- Eminent Solina String Ensemble page at dse.nl
- Video via epservice
Is this what Jean Michel Jarre used on his classics, like Oxygene?
Also sounds like DreamWeaver to me.
That’s the sort of spacy sound that totally tripped us out in the 70’s.
I’m pretty sure JMJ did, Manuelle: I remember reading the lists of his equipment…
“EMINENT” is the synth JMJ uses on “Oxygene”