Colossus classic
The Classic is the original Colossus - the ‘L’ shaped console type much like the EMS Synthi 100.
Analogue Solutions is excited to introduce Colossus, an exciting new mega-synth with a design ethos truly from the dawn of analogue synths. It is more than a powerful analogue ‘workstation’ - it is also art, architecture, exquisite studio furniture.
Design inspiration is of course from the 1970’s EMS Synthi 100, however, no circuit from the Synthi has been cloned or copied. We prefer to make our own designs. We have chosen some of our favourite circuits from our own large back catalogue synths such as Polymath, Telemark and Vostok.
Colossus is not a Synthi 100 clone - all circuits are non-EMS, Analogue Solutions’ design.
The original Synthi was so large it wouldn’t fit through a standard doorway. We didn’t make that mistake but don’t underestimate it’s size. It will be prominent in your studio, or art gallery!
It is sized at 1585mm wide, 700mm deep and 655mm high and weighing in too big to fit on the scales. It’s not entirely practical, but to be impressive physically and in sound. It will be an awesome centre piece to your studio.
*diagonal dimension is a little less for those with tight door ways - about 620mm effective width.
Also we have found putting Colossus on its end, you can pivot it through narrow doorways (more details in the manual).
All the voice and modulation circuits are of course 100% analogue. We purposely steered away from digital, it doesn’t have MIDI or USB (there are plenty of MIDI converter boxes out there should you need that facility). This wasn’t designed to be the solution to your modern digital studio but rather a serious analogue power house of sound. There are of course digital elements to the sequencer control - that is unavoidable - even classic analogue sequencers like the ARP sequencer using digital logic chips. In fact the Synthi 100 features a digital sequencer.
This synth is purely for those who want it just as it was in the 1970s - but new with parts still in production.
Colossus is large scale, featuring large knobs that control metal shaft potentiometers. VCOs have multi-turn verniers. The two enormous pin matrix panels dominate the horizontal panels - these are incredibly expensive Swiss made broadcast quality signal routers - 1 for CV and 1 for Audio.
There are two spring reverbs, touch keyboards, step sequencers, moving coil meters, joysticks and so much more. An immense expanse of jack sockets for additional patching within or without the system.
There are no gimmicks - this is pure synthesiser. A huge sound enclosed in a solid metal case wrapped in solid hardwood. No expense has been spared to bring this incredible machine to life.
Synthesisers like this only come around once in a decade, or possibly a generation.
Colossus is used by
Pete Townshend (The Who)
Hans Zimmer
Luke Slater
Joel Zimmerman (DeadMau5)
Max Richter
Magnus Fiennes
Magnus Fiennes (Voldermort’s Brother)
Jesper (Teenage Engineering)
Christian (Spitfire Audio)
as well as many other professional musicians, producers and private studios.
