SYNTHESISERS SINCE THE LAST MILLENNIA

Analogue Solutions is a UK based company specialising in true analogue synthesisers, sequencers and modules with over 25 years experience in the industry.

Analogue Solution instruments are hand built in England, and designed by Tom Carpenter, who has hands on involvement in all aspects of the company.

Analogue Solutions award winning products have been applauded for having a truly vintage sound that is full of character. The synthesisers have a full analogue audio path, and analogue LFOs and EGs. Also no memories means nothing in the synth is being made sterile by CPU control. When you turn a knob you are directly changing the voltage or current in an actual synth circuit.

Analogue Solutions were there right at the start of Eurorack, the third company to start producing modules.

Analogue Solutions founder, Tom Carpenter, has a genuine passion for analogue synths, drawing on his years of using and owning vintage analogue synths and drum machines, which he uses, along side AS products, in his own music productions.

ANALOGUE SOLUTIONS: MUSIC ELECTRONICS FOR ELECTRONIC MUSICIANS

As this is a complex Beast of a synth that naturally invites many question, please see below information: Please email craig@sweetdiscrete.co.uk if you are interested in finding out more and how the Colossus could integrate into your studio.

PLEASE NOTE: SOLD OUT/ OUT OF STOCK IS DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE PRODUCT AS IT’S BUILT TO ORDER AND THEREFORE STILL AVAILABLE

Summary of variants:

AS100 Colossus ‘classic’

This is the original and best system - the full console version.

It comes with a CRT scope as standard.

AS200 Colossus ‘slim’

A small foot print version of the classic - taking over 50% less desk space. Features all the same audio and modulation circuits of the classic.

AS200 comes with a LCD two channel scope as standard. CRT is available as an optional upgrade.

The matrices are smaller and are totally independent. They are not internally wired. This can be seen as an advantage (it’s a matter of your personal needs), since you can patch external gear into the matrices. The matrices are half height compared to the classic’s.

AS200’s mixer has more inputs.

As the slim loses the touch keyboards, play using external MIDI to CV keyboards (such as Arturia KeyStep), or using a MIDI to CV converter. Slim retains the 64 step analogue sequencer. So sequencer with this and/or external CV sequencers.

Double System

The AS200 can be elegantly stacked on top of the classic to proved a grand double height system. The AS200 can be added at a later date, or, both can be ordered together (shipped in separate crates).

The double system is awe-inspiring - you will gasp when you stand before it in person.

Upgrades :

LCD SCOPE

IN THE VERTICAL PANEL. FOR CLASSIC & SLIM COLOSSUS -

This can be selected in place of the CRT scope, fitted in the upper vertical panel. This must be requested at the time of ordering. There is no extra charge to have the LCD scope in place of the CRT scope.

IN THE HORIZONTAL CONSOLE PANEL. FOR CLASSIC COLOSSUS -

As an optional upgrade, you can fit the LCD scope into the blank panel. User can do this. It’s just some screws and plugging the power cable into the internal PSU (similar to how you would add modules into Eurorack).

The cost for the LCD scope is £500 excluding delivery and tax (where applicable).

The LCD scope is 2 channel - so it can display 2 waveforms at once. It has the usual oscilloscope controls such as volts per division and timebase.

It has a 2 channel tuner.

Lissajous Figures are also possible.

These scopes are not precision laboratory standard scope. Yes, they are accurate, but have not been lab standard calibrated. This is the same with most test equipment you can buy online. Typically for lab precision calibration, you must pay extra at the time of ordering, typically many hundreds of pounds. But for a synth, this isn’t necessary. There is no need to measure voltages for example. It’s just a visual aid, or let’s face it, it’s eye candy,

TOUCH KEYS / SEQUENCER

IN THE VERTICAL PANEL FOR AS200 -

As an optional upgrade, you can fit a touch keyboard / sequencer into the ‘logo’ panel in Colossus AS200

The cost for the keys is £500 excluding delivery and tax (where applicable).

It has the same features and spec as the touch keyboards in the AS100 Classic Colossus.

Ltd Edition:

LIMITED EDITION BLACK COLOSSUS

Colossus-B is available to order now. Wait time is around the same as the classic white Colossus, currently around 1-3 weeks.

Price is £27,500 excluding tax (where applicable) and delivery.

Order this rare limited edition now before stock runs out!

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATION - CLASSIC

VCO Panel

12 x Analogue VCOs. The pitch range is very high and these can be used as LFOs also.

Four waveforms, Pulse Width, Osc Sync, Sub Osc. 

Precision control using high quality multi-turn vernier dials.

Sample and Hold Generator.

Random Voltage Generator.

2x White/Pink Noise Generators.

Multiple.

Scope Panel

Oscilloscope. Type may vary from pictures.

2x LFO (in addition to the VCOs).

4x VCA (in addition to the VCF VCAs).

4x A(D)SR Envelopes.

Multiple.

Note!

VCOs can be used as LFOs. So Colossus has in fact a potential total of 14 LFOs!

Each of the eight VCFs have VCAs hard wired inline, so these plus the individual VCAs means there are in fact a total of 12 VCAs!

Filter Panel

4x Multimode filters - Low, Band and High pass 12dB filters.

Each with serial VCAs.

The circuit was originally based on the Oberheim SEM - though we have done some heavy modifications. But ‘Oberheim SEM’ gives you an idea of the type of sound.

4x Low Pass filter - 24dB transistor ladder filters.

These filters have a ‘Moog’ style sound.

Each VCF has a serial VCA.

(8 VCF/VCA combinations in total.)

2x Analogue mechanical Spring Reverbs. Each one features a triple spring tank.

2x Ring Modulators.

2 Voltage Slew Generators.

4x ADSRs with repeat and hold-repeat feature.

Sequencer Panel

4x large 10V signal level meters that are backlit.

64 step / 2x 32 step Analogue CV/Gate sequencer.

With clock generator, glide, jump, reset, CV, gate and other control features.

10 input stereo Mixer

2 fixed level sub mixers

2x Joystick Controllers.

Matrices
2x Broadcast quality CV and Audio Pin Matrix panels.

Jack Socket Patch Panels

4x minijack patch panels - providing I/O from all circuits.

Rear Panel

Mixer output jacks; Left and Right.

IEC power socket.

Neon lit power switch.

Fuse holder.

SPECIFICATION - SLIM

VCO Panel

12 x Analogue VCOs. The pitch range is very high and these can be used as LFOs also.

Four waveforms, Pulse Width, Osc Sync, Sub Osc. 

Precision control using high quality multi-turn vernier dials.

Sample and Hold Generator.

Random Voltage Generator.

2x White/Pink Noise Generators.

Multiple.

Scope Panel

Oscilloscope. Type may vary from pictures.

2x LFO (in addition to the VCOs).

4x VCA (in addition to the VCF VCAs).

4x A(D)SR Envelopes.

Multiple.

Note!

VCOs can be used as LFOs. So Colossus has in fact a potential total of 14 LFOs!

Each of the eight VCFs have VCAs hard wired inline, so these plus the individual VCAs means there are in fact a total of 12 VCAs!

Filter Panel

4x Multimode filters - Low, Band and High pass 12dB filters.

Each with serial VCAs.

The circuit was originally based on the Oberheim SEM - though we have done some heavy modifications. But ‘Oberheim SEM’ gives you an idea of the type of sound.

4x Low Pass filter - 24dB transistor ladder filters.

These filters have a ‘Moog’ style sound.

Each VCF has a serial VCA.

(8 VCF/VCA combinations in total.)

2x Analogue mechanical Spring Reverbs. Each one features a triple spring tank.

2x Ring Modulators.

2 Voltage Slew Generators.

4x ADSRs with repeat and hold-repeat feature.

Sequencer Panel

4x large 10V signal level meters that are backlit.

64 step / 2x 32 step Analogue CV/Gate sequencer.

With clock generator, glide, jump, reset, CV, gate and other control features.

Touch Panel

6 channel stereo audio mixer with level, pan and mute.

2x Joystick Controllers.

2x Touch Keyboards with digital note sequencers.

Matrices

2x Broadcast quality CV and Audio Pin Matrix panels.

Jack Socket Patch Panels

4x minijack patch panels - providing I/O from all circuits.

Rear Panel

Mixer output jacks; Left and Right.

IEC power socket.

Neon lit power switch.

Fuse holder.

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATION

Size:

Classic : 1585mm width, 700mm depth, 655mm high.

Slim : 1585mm width, 330cm depth, 750mm high.

Note, if Classic is tilted 45 degrees the synth’s effective width reduces to 620mm which may help with unusually narrow doors. There are other tips for narrow doors in the text earlier in this manual.

Weight:

Classic : 55Kg.  Slim : 40Kg.

Packing Crate is approximately 90Kg (excluding Colossus).

Power:

Switchable 115/230V (ask how if necessary!)

Note: If you have a CRT Oscilloscope, then this is NOT switchable.

You would need to convert the voltage. Disconnect power to the scope if you need to change the power voltage.

Note2: Some more recent CRTs are switchable - check the back panel of the scope to check.

For LCD scopes there is no problem.

IEC power socket with Neon mains switch.

Jack Sockets:

Use 3.5mm mono ‘mini jack’ cables.

There are two main out jack sockets that are mono/un-balanced 6.35mm ‘big’ jack. These are also copied to the rear panel.

Pins

These are not compatible with either Vostok or EMS matrices. Suggestion is to order direct from Analogue Solutions.

Two types are available -

Black 0 Ohm (best price)

Red 10K Ohm (expensive!)

Accessories

Comes with a selection of pins and cables.

IEC mains cable.

Additional parts are available to order, including (subject to stock) spare CRT oscilloscopes if you require a spare, cables, additional pins, LED CV cables, and more.