ARP String Ensemble

The Solina String Ensemble, also marketed as the ARP String Ensemble, is a fully polyphonic multi-orchestral synthesizer with a 49-key keyboard, produced by Eminent BV (known for their Solina brand). It was distributed in the United States by ARP Instruments from 1974 to 1981. The sounds it incorporates are violin, viola, trumpet, horn, cello, and contrabass. The keyboard uses 'organ style' divide-down technology to make it polyphonic. The built-in chorus effect gives the instrument its distinctive sound.

Solina String Ensemble
ARP badged Solina String Ensemble
ManufacturerEminent BV
Dates1974–1981
Technical specifications
PolyphonyFull
TimbralitySix tones: violin, viola, trumpet, horn, cello, contrabass
OscillatorSub-octave divider network
LFOTwo
Synthesis typeAnalog Subtractive
FilterNone
AttenuatorAR
Storage memoryNone
EffectsChorus
Input/output
Keyboard49 keys
Left-hand controlNone
External controlGate out

Technology

The core technology is based on the string ensemble section of the Eminent 310 Unique electronic organ in 1972, manufactured by the Dutch company Eminent BV.[1] The main oscillator consists of twelve discrete tone generators with octave divide-down to provide full polyphony (however all notes come from the same envelope and filter, so it is actually a paraphonic string machine); and the built-in triple chorus effect utilizes bucket-brigade devices (BBDs) controlled by two LFOs to create the characteristic vibrato.

Four versions have been released:[2]

  • SE-I: Mono Output with a permanent chorus effect
  • SE-II: Mono Output with an ON/OFF switch for the chorus effect
  • SE-III: Stereo Outputs with a redesigned chorus effect
  • SE-IV: Stereo Outputs with LEDs added on the front panel

Notable users

The Solina String Ensemble was extensively used by pop, rock, jazz and disco artists of the 1970s, including Richard Wright of Pink Floyd, on albums such as Wish You Were Here (most notably on "Shine On You Crazy Diamond") and Animals, Herbie Hancock, Bernie Worrell, Billy Beck (of Ohio Players), Kerry Livgren (of Kansas), Dennis DeYoung and Eumir Deodato. Parliament (band) used the Solina on several tracks, particularly as a solo instrument on songs such as “Give Up The Funk”. Elton John used a String Ensemble on his hit song "Someone Saved My Life Tonight", the Rolling Stones in their hit "Fool to Cry", KC & the Sunshine Band in their hit, "Please Don't Go", the Buggles in "Video Killed the Radio Star", Hall & Oates in their cover version of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling", and Rick James in "Mary Jane".

In 1975, George Harrison used the ARP on his song "You", and the same year the Bee Gees played it on their hit "Nights on Broadway". Stevie Wonder played the famous string line on Peter Frampton's 1977 ballad "I'm in You". The Solina string sound has also been used by Kim and Ricky Wilde, Brian Eno, Fun Lovin' Criminals, the Cure, Gorillaz, the Chameleons, the Carpenters, Joy Division, Neil Young, Air, Anthony Cedric Vuagniaux and Rikk Agnew. Fleetwood Mac keyboardist Christine McVie used it on the band's Heroes Are Hard to Find album, most notably on her song "Come a Little Bit Closer." Brian Wilson "Beach Boys Love You", Charly Garcia on Pequeñas anécdotas sobre las instituciones and with Serú Girán.

Tony Visconti who produced David Bowie’s "Heroes", solos the Solina string part in this fascinating song breakdown.[3]

  • "String Ensemble" section of Eminent 310 Theatre organ
  • Solina String Ensemble, the original version of String Ensemble, derived from Eminent organ
gollark: In the style of the Windows Registry.
gollark: No, the PotatOS Registry.
gollark: But why?
gollark: <@229624651314233346> What's this for, anyway?
gollark: What?

See also

References
  1. Reid, Gordon (May 2007). "Eminent 310 String Synthesizer". Sound on Sound.
  2. "ARP Solina String Ensemble". August 2012. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. "BBC Arts - BBC Arts - David Bowie's "Heroes": Producer Tony Visconti gets to the heart of the song". BBC. Retrieved 2020-07-15.

Further reading
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