Solar 42N Ambient Machine Drone Synthesizer

Imagine dialing in vast, swirling drones that feel like they're pulled straight from a 1950s sci-fi soundtrack, thanks to its roots in Leo Theremin's Harmonium design. This latest MK3 iteration brings back the original cartridge loading for effortless effect swaps while adding an LFO speed switch for even more fluid modulation.

At its core, eight analog voices blend six drone oscillators—four with light-sensitive photoresistors for pitch morphing via hand shadows or lamps—and two melodic VCOs with 1V/oct tracking, waveform morphing, and touch-sensitive keypads. Five LFOs, a joystick with LED feedback, 12 touch plates, AR envelopes per voice, a 5-step sequencer, and dual 12dB Polivoks-inspired low/bandpass filters feed into a stereo mixer and unique dual-cartridge effector section, where CV tweaks three parameters per channel and you can load distinct effects independently. Handsome color-coded knobs make patching intuitive on its sturdy 49.5 x 32 x 5.6cm black panel, weighing 5.4kg, with stereo dry/wet outs, headphone jack, external audio and contact mic ins, plus an envelope follower.

Players love how it sparks spontaneous live jams and cinematic textures, though some note the semi-modular patching demands a bit of experimentation to unlock its microtonal depths.