Filters
1) all pole possibilities for the Ladder (mini style) filter, including 24 dB Lowpass, Highpass, and Bandpass, 12 dB Lowpass, Highpass, and Bandpass, and 6 dB Lowpass, Highpass, and Bandpass.
2) State Variable Filter - 12 dB Lowpass, Highpass, and Bandpass, and Notch.
3) 24 dB Lowpass modeled on the Prophet 5 Rev1 filter (SSM2040)
4) 24 dB Lowpass modeled on the Rev 3 Prophet 5 (CEM3320)
5) Comb/Tube filter
6) FX such as sweeping EQ, phasers, etc..
There are 3 filter frequency (cutoff) mod paths. Mod 1 can be switched to modulate the resonance; Mod 2 can also be switched to control Mod 1 amount, and Mod 3 can similarly be switched to control Mod 2 amount.
ADSRs - there are 6 standard DADSRs. Each overall amount can be modulated, and each segment can be individually modulated from, Velocity, Keytrack, Mod Wheel, and 4 freely assignable Midi Controllers (CC1-CC4). Also, each segment can have a variable slope, from linear to exponential. Separate ADSRs for each mixer/filter section.
Looping Envelopes - there are also 2 looping envelopes, each with 8 Time&Level segments. There is overall modulation possible of Time and Level. All of the envelopes are freely assignable as modulation sources. This also includes two 8-point looping envelopes, for a total of 8 envelopes in the system. THe envelops update in real time !
LFOs - there are 5 identical LFOs, with the fifth being permanently connected to the frequency of all oscs (therefore, it is called the Vibrato LFO). The LFOs have the standard waveshape types, and range from 0-524 Hz at the moment (we could set them higher if needed). There are parameters for Delay Start, Fade In, Fade Out, Rate, Waveshape, Retrigger, Phase, Level Mod and Rate Mod, Midi Clocking, and Offset (offset provides a positive unipolar signal for the lfo outputs).
VCAs - There are several models implemented for the final output stage circuit. Types will include: Linear, Non-Linear "Analog", SSM2020, CA3280 (Prophet 5 Rev3)
Vector Synthesis - There are 2 Vector Mixer sections. The prototype does not show it, but there will be an X/Y Joystick (non-spring loaded) in the leftmost section to provide control for the Vector Mixers.
AM Sections - 2 Amplitude Modulation sections, each of which have Carrier, Modulator, Algorithm and Shaper parameters. Ring Mod is one of the algorithms provided.
Effects - A wide variety of effects will be initially available, such as delay, flanger/chorus, reverb, EQ, etc. As with the other sections, additional FX types such as a vocoder or resonant filter bank will be added as they are developed via an upgrade to the OS.
Multitimbral 4 parts.
Between 15 and 18 voices, depending on patch.
Keyboard: Fatar TP/8 (the best one)
The hardware Solaris has the equivalent of approximately 6 Scope boards (the 14 DSP cards), so 6 x 14 = 84 Scope generation DSPs running at 96 kHz.
32 MB RAM per DSP running at 333 mHz.
One of the first algorithm expansions I hope to have would incorporate a number of the Flexor modules.
There will be a Vocoder.
2 independent audio inputs.
RAM for user sample/waveform import.
PC/Mac editor.
Dimensions: 38.5" x 16" x 6" (same as Prophet 5 and not on purpose !)
4 OSC, each with the following sound source :
1) Rotors - Each Rotor have 4 inputs and 1 output. The inputs are cycled through, one after the other, and sent to the output. Listening to the output, you will hear each input in successive order: 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, etc. There is also a crossfade value. If crossfade is at 0, then you hear the transition as an abrupt switching. As you increase the crossfade amount, it smooths the transitions. This is just like what you can do with a wave sequence in the Korg Wavestation, for example, except that a Rotor only has 4 steps. The speed of the transition is controlled by an oscillator, and can be clocked by MIDI (BPM). a difference is that the Rotor can also run at audio rates, and track the keyboard, and so can be used like an regular oscillator source whose harmonic content is decided by whatever is happening at the 4 inputs. Without any crossfade, the resultant sound is usually bright and a bit harsh. As you increase crossfade at audio rates, the output gets smoother - less edgy and bright. (You can also modulate the Crossfade Amount.)
2) Vector Mixers - these are simple quad mixers that also have 4 inputs. Again, the inputs can be any of the sources in the Solaris. The built-in joystick (not shown in the prototype photos) is assigned to either or both Vector Mixers, and there are modulation paths for both the X- and Y-axis.
3) AM sections - AM stands for Amplitude Modulation. The AM sections each have 2 inputs, and provide 4 algorithms to multiply the 2 input signals (Ring Mod is one of the algorithms.) The final output can be full level or shaped by a modulator (usually an envelope generator).
Other features - each input for the Rotors and Vector Mixers have level controls, to balance out uneven oscillator output (say, if some of the oscillators are set to WAV/sample playback). Also, the processors aren't limited to audio input signals - you can select other things such as LFOs or other control signals for your inputs. You can also select the output from any filter as an input, creating audio feedback paths (for example, you could have the Vector Mixers controlling the 4 filter outputs, with at least one of the filters containing the output of the Vector Mixer.)
4) Oscillators - there are several types of oscillators: MultiMode (MM), CEM, Wavetable (WT), VS, and WAV (sample playback), 'supersaw' type, 'Morphing' sine-to-saw or sine-to-square, emulation of a Mini's oscillator, with the 6 discreet waveshapes. Other types may be added in the future, such as PM (phase mod) or WS (wavesequencing).
MulitMode (MM) oscs generate the typical series of Sine, Triangle, Saw, Pulse, plus some others, such as a morphing sine-to-saw or -square, and SuperSaw. CEM provides simultaneous waveforms as found on the original Prophet synths. VS are single cycle waves, and WT contain up to 64 elements in a list (wavetable). WAV offers sample playback, and can use a variety of formats (.wav, aiff, akai, etc.).
5) Noise - several variations are provided - white, pink, red, bandpass with variable frequency.
6) External Inputs - currently there are 2 inputs; there's been some discussion to have 4, as this would work well with processing external signals through the Rotors or VS mixers, but we will have to see. An Envelope Follower can be fed by any of these inputs. The inputs can be processed in all the same ways as the oscillators. There is also an Amp Bypass (drone) switch, in case you want to process these inputs without having to hold down a key to hear the processed signal.
Microtuning.
Supporting connector for the Kurzweil Super Ribbon Controller (PC2SRIB).
Compact Flash connector.
USB B connector.
![](http://www.chezrossi.net/tempo/solaris.jpg)
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