Dante:  With performance controllers such as dual ribbons as well as twin controller wheels the Solaris is a natural choice for live performance.  But one feature that really sets it apart is it's usability in the dark.  Not such an unexpected scenario for a keyboard player, but surprisingly enough a consideration more often overlooked than not by the big name keyboard manufacturers.  Not only are there six dedicated LCD displays, but they are backlit for easy readability in all lighting conditions.  The controller wheels are also lit to glow in the dark.  The Solaris also features an impressive array of performance buttons like Unison/Transpose.  How well do these go down live?

Jimmy: These are so well designed for live work. I just love doing string parts and raising the pitch up an octave or adding thicker unison voicing's, and having them active on the next played notes.  Nice to have a synth built by someone who has been around the stage instead of downloading source code from the internet.

Dante: The profile of the beast reminded me of the Yamaha DX1, due to its depth.  I wondered how this would effect studio or live performance space.

  
 
 

Jimmy: You should look at the Standtastic stands. The angles are all adjustable, the handles extend as far as you want, a totally customizable three tier stand that's always been way ahead of the others.  I bought mine back in the early ninties and had the Oberheim MC3000, Oberheim Matrix 12/XPander all on a single stand. 

Dante: Now with Solaris and XITE-1 do you still use any other synths?

Jimmy: Solaris basically replaced the M12/X and I use those cheap pieces of rubbish from MAudio. They really are excellent controllers though. But guys like me who play everyday and every night need replacements after two years as the keys start sending velocities of 127 only after they're beaten for so many weeks, months or years.

Dante:  Ok, so I see you've become hooked on that ribbon controller, so what's the story there?

Jimmy: I wasn't aware that the Ribbon could be used on individual parts while other parts remain unaffected.  This is really a nice feature.  I am even getting really nice sounds by holding notes, using my left finger to raise 2 x Linear FM'd parts up a 5th or an octave and then wiggling my finger for a serious pitch controlled vibrato. This is the type of stuff that makes Solaris a breed apart of other hardware/software synths.  The sound of synths these days are mostly pretty good but it's their modulations and routings that are limited.  No problem with that here.
 

Dante:  What features please you the most about using Solaris live?

Jimmy:  Live and realtime control of all parameters and 96K processing. Audio rate modulations are the most precise I ever heard.

Dante:  Are other live synths up to the challenge?

Jimmy:  Challenge?  Other synths are no challenge, but I'll be happy to beat up on them in public wherever they appear.

Dante:  Do you get many notable reactions from other musicians?

Jimmy:  They love it.

Dante:  What would you say to the top keyboard players / producers who already have several top-of-the-line keyboards about why they should add a Solaris to their arsenal?

Jimmy:  Don't buy it.  I don't want anyone else sounding this good!
 

Dante and Jimmy October 2011