ARP String Ensemble
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| ARP String Ensemble | |
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ARP String Ensemble
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| Manufacturer | Eminent BV, ARP Instruments, Inc. |
| Dates | 1974–1981 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | Full |
| Timbrality | Six tones: violin, viola, trumpet, horn, cello, contrabass |
| Oscillator | Sub-octave divider network |
| LFO | Two |
| Synthesis type | Analog Subtractive |
| Filter | None |
| Attenuator | AR |
| Memory | None |
| Effects | Chorus on/off |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 49 keys |
| Left-hand control | None |
| External control | Gate out |
The ARP String Ensemble, also known as the Solina String Ensemble, is a fully polyphonic multi-orchestral synthesizer with a 49-key keyboard, produced by Eminent BV (known with Solina brand), distributed by ARP Instruments, Inc. 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 famous sound.
Technology
The core technology is based on the string ensemble section of the Eminent 310 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; and the built-in chorus effect utilizes bucket-brigade devices (BBDs) controlled by two LFOs to create the characteristic vibrato.
Famous users
The ARP String Ensemble was extensively used by pop, rock, jazz and disco artists of the 1970s, including Herbie Hancock, George Clinton and Eumir Deodato. Elton John used an ARP String Ensemble on his hit song "Someone Saved My Life Tonight", The Rolling Stones in their hit "Fool To Cry", The Buggles in "Video Killed the Radio Star", 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, Pink Floyd, Brian Eno, The Cure, Gorillaz, The Chameleons, The Carpenters, Joy Division, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and Air.
Gallery
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Eminent 310 Theatre String ensemble.jpg
"String Ensemble" section of Eminent 310 Theatre organ
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SolinaStringEnsemble 03.JPG
Solina String Ensemble, the original version of ARP String Ensemble, derived from Eminent organ
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ARP Omni Mk1.jpg
ARP Omni, an ensemble-keyboard consists of string/poly synth and bass synth
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ARP Quadra.jpg
ARP Quadra, a multi-keyboard consists of string/poly synth, solo synth, and bass synth.
See also
References
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External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to ARP String Ensemble. |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to sound files from the important registers and pictures. |
