Novachord + Solovox collection emulates two early electronic instruments that were precursors to modern synthesizers. Novachord is based on the revolutionary polyphonic instrument from 1939, while Solovox replicates a related monophonic keyboard instrument designed to provide organ-like leads. These extremely rare instruments set standards for tone generation and synthesis techniques that continue to influence today's electronic instruments.

Notorious

Manufactured by the Hammond company from 1939 to 1942 and debuting at the World's Fair, the Novachord contained 163 vacuum tubes and over 1,000 custom-made capacitors. Its divide-down oscillator architecture combined full 72-key polyphony with an early version of analog subtractive synthesis. The architecture of the Novachord predicted the ADSR envelope, employed a resonant bandpass filter, and included a vibrato unit. These now-familiar methods resemble designs adopted decades later in Moog and ARP polyphonic synthesizers.

Despite its historical significance, the Novachord did not enjoy commercial success. Although it initially resembled a standard organ, the front panel controls were not well-suited to the performance techniques used by organists or pianists of the era. Additionally, the numerous vacuum tubes were unstable, making the 500-pound instrument difficult to maintain. Production ceased in 1942 due to poor sales and parts shortages during World War II, with Hammond only producing about 1,000 Novachords.

Nevertheless, the instrument was used for decades on many notable recordings from the period, such as We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn and Brother Bones’s Sweet Georgia Brown. It was also prominently featured in film soundtracks, including the pause for “Gone With the Wind” and in the music for “Rebecca,” “The Maltese Falcon,” and “The Ten Commandments.” However, it is best remembered for its otherworldly sound as heard in horror and sci-fi genre films such as “Cat People,” “The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms,” “20 Million Miles to Earth,” and “The Gorgon.” On television, the Novachord remained a favorite among composers, including Jerry Goldsmith and Harry Lubin in their work for The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits, respectively. Today, fewer than 200 Novachords exist, and it is said that only five remain operational today.

Solovox, manufactured by Hammond between 1940 and 1950, was another classic instrument from the period. Based on the Novachord's oscillator and divider circuitry, Solovox, with 18 vacuum tubes, was a small monophonic keyboard instrument that was mounted beneath a piano keyboard and designed to supplement it with organ-like lead voices. It consisted of two units: the three-octave mini keyboard and a tone cabinet for the electronic sound generator, amplifier, and speaker. Like Clavioline and Ondioline, Solovox produced a range of string, brass, and organ sounds and was widely used in light music from the 1940s into the 1960s. Unfortunately, the introduction of compact transistor organs released in the 60s marked the end of Solovox's popularity.

Out of the Past

Due to their unique place in the history of electronic instruments, the award-winning developer and DSP designer Mark Barton (MRB) presented Cherry Audio with the opportunity to collaborate on reviving these instruments and their unique mystical sounds. Equipped with his enthusiasm and expertise in circuit modeling, we set out to recreate these masterpieces from the past using virtual synthesis and without sampling.

We also received invaluable assistance from father and son, Joseph and Justin Fill, owners of a beautifully restored Novachord.

We did not stop at the sound -- the Novachord interface is a magnificent recreation of the original, filled with the white Plakson and black Bakelite keys, tear-shaped knobs, and beautiful cherry wood. With Solovox, we took it a step further and included reactive vacuum tubes that light up and respond to settings. With additional details such as over 100 combined presets and flexible MIDI mapping, Cherry Audio has brought these classics from the golden era out of the past and into the 21st century.

The result is the Novachord + Solovox experience - a captivating feast for both ears and eyes, packaged at an affordable price. Cherry Audio is overjoyed to bring these classic instruments back to life with these amazing software emulations. Prepare to be transported back to the earliest days of electronic music history!