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Average Price: $1,300
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Description
Discover the Eminent Solina String Ensemble, a legendary synthesizer renowned for its lush, orchestral string sounds. Originating from the 1970s, this vintage classic combines the warmth of analog synthesis with the rich textures of ensemble strings, making it a cherished piece for musicians and collectors alike. With its distinctive sound, the Solina String Ensemble has been immortalized in countless recordings, offering a timeless quality that continues to inspire artists today.
Designed with ease of use in mind, the Solina features a straightforward interface that allows musicians to focus on creativity rather than complexity. The chorus ensemble effect, a hallmark of the Solina, adds depth and movement to your sound, creating a sweeping, immersive experience that is both dynamic and expressive. Whether you're looking to recreate the iconic sounds of the past or craft something entirely new, the Eminent Solina String Ensemble is a versatile tool that bridges the gap between vintage and modern music production.
Key Features:
- Classic analog synthesizer known for its lush string sounds
- Iconic chorus ensemble effect for added depth
- Simple, intuitive interface for easy sound manipulation
- Immortalized in numerous recordings from the 1970s onward
- Perfect for vintage enthusiasts and modern producers alike
Product specs
| Brand | ARP |
| Model | Solina String Ensemble Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1974 - 1979 |
| Made In | Denmark |
| Categories | Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| Number of Keys | 49 Keys |
| Polyphony | 49 Voices |
FAQs
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What is the polyphony of the Eminent Solina String Ensemble?
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The Eminent Solina String Ensemble offers full polyphony with 49 voices, allowing you to play complex chords and layered sounds without voice stealing.
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Is the Eminent Solina String Ensemble an analog synthesizer?
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Yes, the Eminent Solina String Ensemble is an analog synthesizer, known for its warm, lush string sounds that are characteristic of analog circuitry.
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How many keys does the Eminent Solina String Ensemble have?
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The Eminent Solina String Ensemble features a 49-key full-size keyboard with synth action, providing a familiar and comfortable playing experience.
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What type of sound is the Eminent Solina String Ensemble known for?
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The Eminent Solina String Ensemble is renowned for its rich, orchestral string sounds, often used for creating lush, atmospheric textures in music production.
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When was the Eminent Solina String Ensemble produced?
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The Eminent Solina String Ensemble was produced between 1974 and 1979, making it a classic piece of vintage synthesizer history.
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Where was the Eminent Solina String Ensemble manufactured?
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The Eminent Solina String Ensemble was manufactured in Denmark, contributing to its distinct European design and sound quality.
Videos
AnalogAudio1
SOLINA / ARP STRING-ENSEMBLE 1973 | HD DEMO
Reviews
PROS
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Produces iconic 70s jazz funk/disco string sounds.
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Distinctive, raw sound with imperfect, unique charm.
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Pure analog lushness, especially in the sought-after MK2 model.
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Original Eminent Solina, not a rebranded ARP.
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Legendary sound, inspiring many to follow its MK2's tone.
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Versatile with modulation options on MKII and stereo output on MK3.
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Capable of producing Vox Humana type sounds with filterbank pairing.
CONS
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Heavy, especially compared to modern synths, making it less portable.
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Requires restoration and maintenance due to age.
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Lacks modern features like MIDI support.
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MK3's modulation is less lush compared to earlier versions.
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Eminent Solina String Ensemble.
Build quality
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The MK4 version has stereo outs and a slightly thinner sound, yet retains a great chorus effect, appealing to users who enjoy nuanced stereo imaging.
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Comparisons
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The Behringer Solina is noted for its closer emulation of the original Solina sound compared to the Waldorf Streichfett, despite the latter's ability to produce some pleasing tones.
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Users find the Arturia Solina V and XILS emulations effective for capturing the essence of the original, with other free options like Cheese Machine also recommended for vintage-style sounds.
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Behringer's Solina clone is praised for its authentic sound at an accessible $300 price point, making it a viable alternative for budget-conscious enthusiasts.
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Use cases and applications
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Original Solinas, including the MK4, are considered more visually appealing for live performances, offering a vintage charm that modern replicas lack.
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The Cure's "Faith" and "Pornography" albums heavily feature the Solina String Ensemble, with tracks like "All Cats Are Grey" highlighting its signature sound.
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On "Disintegration," the Solina sound was often mixed with EII's Marcato Strings, enhanced with chorus and reverb, showcasing its versatility in blending tones.
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The Solina sound is prominent in 70s disco and prog rock, with Hot Chocolate's "Every One's A Winner" and Parliament's tracks featuring similar string machine parts.
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Setup and maintenance
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It is essential to replace capacitors in units unused for years, as old capacitors may fail due to lack of power flow, impacting performance.
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Fader potentiometers might need replacement after long-term storage; using Deoxit F5 may help but may not be sufficient for severely degraded parts.
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Power supply and op amps should be rebuilt or recapped for optimal performance; Synthchaser.com offers kits for this task.
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Features and functionality
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Gate and trigger outputs allow for control voltage use, enabling the vintage Solina to interact with modern CV-compatible gear.
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Software and compatibility
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The AKAI MPC Family now includes a virtual Solina, allowing integration with vintage units for unique hybrid setups.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings
127
A classic that can't be ignored
If you ever heard a string synth from the 70's there are three options:
1-Eminent 310 organ 2- Solina String Ensemble (which is basically the synth part from an Eminent 310) 3- Another synth that used the same method.
Although not the first TOS IC based string synth, the Solina is probably the most famous.
MkI is when Eminent replicated what JMJ had on the Eminent 310 organ. That has no modulation button ( which engages 6 BBD IC modulated by 6 LFOs)
MKII has the modulation button, you can have the modulation button. You can choose to have it on or off.
MK3 has stereo output but unfortunately the modulation is quite different, you can say, less lush, it’s lighter and the inners are quite different.
The SE-IV: added LEDS on the front panel.
The MK2 is by far the most sought after, pure analog lushness, 20kg of history. Every single string synthesizer follows the MK2 sound, period.
Another important thing about this unit, is that is the original Eminent Solina, not the rebranded ARP, that although might have been more famous it was just ARP putting a sticker on top, like they did with the Siel ORCHESTRA.
Fun Fact: If you pair this beast with a filterbank, such as the Behringer 914, you can get a Vox Humana type sound, a classic from the (incredibly unreliable) Moog PolyMoog.
https://youtu.be/JsMfjtsRSaE?si=vDa8huia4wMnkPXG
Preferred Settings + Usage:
All buttons down can be a bit overbearing, and tough to make fit in a mix. I personally prefer to use either just Violin for dreamy light sounds, Violin and Viola for a classic sound, and the other two as an alternative darker patch. The classic sound of the Solina was paired withe the Small Stone Phaser pedal, but adding tape echo, and spring reverb make it a spaceship of a sound!
Artist usage
Add artist
At 2:33 in the official videoclip of Air 'La Femme d'Argent', J-B Dunckel play an Eminent Solina String Ensemble
Wendy Carlos uses the Eminent Solina String Ensemble, as depicted in the electronic music recording studio image.
Ron used a Solina for a short time around 1975. It does not show up on any of Sparks' studio albums, but it can be heard in live performances of some songs from the Indiscreet album, such as "Hospitality On Parade" and "Looks, Looks, Looks". It would be set up at a 90-degree angle from his RMI Electra-piano, with what appears to be an HH effects unit (possibly an amplifier or tape echo of some kind) on top of it, and sometimes, his Maestro Echoplex on top of the HH.
Album Usage
The Eminent Solina String Ensemble has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Eminent Solina String Ensemble, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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