ARP String Ensemble
Polyphonic multi-orchestral synthesizer
title: "ARP String Ensemble" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["arp-synthesizers", "string-synthesizers", "polyphonic-synthesizers", "analog-synthesizers"] description: "Polyphonic multi-orchestral synthesizer" topic_path: "general/arp-synthesizers" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARP_String_Ensemble" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Polyphonic multi-orchestral synthesizer ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox synthesizer"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| image | ARP Solina String Ensemble.jpg |
| image_caption | ARP badged Solina String Ensemble |
| synth_name | Solina String Ensemble |
| synth_manufacturer | Eminent BV |
| synthesis_type | Analog Subtractive |
| polyphony | Full |
| timbrality | Six tones: violin, viola, trumpet, horn, cello, contrabass |
| oscillator | Sub-octave divider network |
| filter | None |
| attenuator | AR |
| left_control | None |
| lfo | Two |
| keyboard | 49 keys |
| memory | None |
| ext_control | Gate out |
| fx | Chorus |
| dates | 1974–1981 |
| :: |
| image = ARP Solina String Ensemble.jpg | image_caption = ARP badged Solina String Ensemble | synth_name = Solina String Ensemble | synth_manufacturer = Eminent BV | synthesis_type = Analog Subtractive | polyphony = Full | timbrality = Six tones: violin, viola, trumpet, horn, cello, contrabass | oscillator = Sub-octave divider network | filter = None | attenuator = AR | left_control = None | lfo = Two | keyboard = 49 keys | memory = None | ext_control = Gate out | fx = Chorus | dates = 1974–1981 | price = ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/ARPSolina.ogg" caption="Sound sample"] ::
The Solina String Ensemble, also marketed as the ARP String Ensemble, is a fully polyphonic multi-orchestral combined digital/analog string 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.
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. | last = Reid | title = Eminent 310 String Synthesizer | url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may07/articles/eminent310.htm | journal = Sound on Sound | date = May 2007 The main oscillator consists of twelve discrete tone generators with octave divide-down to provide full polyphony; 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: | title = ARP Solina String Ensemble | url = http://www.vintagesynth.com/arp/string.php | date = August 2012
- 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,{{cite book | last = Wild | first = Andrew | year = 2017 | title = Pink Floyd: Song by Song | url = https://archive.org/details/pinkfloydsongbys0000wild/mode/2up | publisher = Fonthill Media | pages = 79,85,89 | isbn = 978-1-78155-599-6
In 1975, George Harrison used the ARP String Ensemble 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, 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 of the Beach Boys used it on 15 Big Ones and The Beach Boys Love You, Charly Garcia on Pequeñas anécdotas sobre las instituciones, Porsuigieco, La Máquina de Hacer Pájaros, and with Serú Girán. Regional Mexican band Grupo Yndio had used a Solina in their Spanish-language cover of Leo Sayer's hit "When I Need You" ("Me Haces Falta").David Stone 1977 Rainbow live in Munich. German Band 1976 - Birth Control -Backdoor Possibilities
Recreations
Various virtual plugins and VSTs of the Solina String Ensemble exists, such the Solina V by Arturia. Behringer has released an analog hardware clone.
Gallery
File:Eminent 310 Theatre String ensemble.jpg|"String Ensemble" section of Eminent 310 Theatre organ File:SolinaStringEnsemble 03.JPG|Solina String Ensemble, the original version of String Ensemble, derived from Eminent organ File:MC-303 - MicroKorg - Solina String Ensemble mk1 - Telecaster.webm|Improvisation with a MC-303, a MicroKorg, a Solina String Ensemble mk1 and a Telecaster electric guitar
References
References
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::