Cherry Audio Pro Soloist is a virtual instrument plugin that meticulously recreates and expands upon the iconic ARP Pro Soloist synthesizer from 1972. This software emulation goes beyond simply replicating the original hardware, offering a fully programmable interface, polyphonic capabilities, and modern features while retaining the distinctive character of the classic preset-based monophonic analog synth. The Pro Soloist plugin faithfully reproduces the expressive controls and 30 presets of its hardware predecessor, capturing the essence of the prog rock era. Cherry Audio has enhanced the instrument with split and layer functionality, a modulation matrix, and integrated studio-quality effects, transforming a once limited preset synth into a versatile and powerful sound design tool. The plugin’s user interface is divided into Performance and Edit screens, allowing users to quickly access preset sounds or dive deep into sound sculpting. With its circuit-modeled DSP designs by Mark Barton, the Pro Soloist delivers authentic analog warmth and behavior in a modern, flexible package.
Pros:
• Authentic emulation of the ARP Pro Soloist with expanded programmability
• Powerful sound design capabilities through advanced modulation and effects
• Excellent preset library covering vintage and contemporary sounds
• User-friendly interface with Performance and Edit modes
Cons:
• May be overwhelming for users seeking a simple preset synth experience
The Cherry Audio Pro Soloist boasts an impressive array of features that both honor the original hardware and push it into new territory. At its core is a meticulously modeled oscillator section, offering sawtooth and pulse waveforms with the addition of a Super Wave option for fuller, more modern tones. The oscillator can be shaped through pulse width modulation, either manually or via LFO and envelope sources, providing rich timbral variations.
The signal path includes a distinctive high-pass filter followed by a resonator bank, a unique feature of the original ARP design. Cherry Audio has expanded this section, replacing the fixed resonators with five fully programmable resonant filters. This allows for incredible sound sculpting possibilities, from subtle coloration to extreme tonal shaping. The main filter section features a beautifully emulated 4-pole ARP filter, renowned for its aggressive, squelchy character.
Modulation options are vastly expanded in the software version. Two envelope generators are provided – a full ADSR and a simpler AR envelope – along with a flexible LFO. The six-slot modulation matrix is a powerful addition, offering 22 sources, 22 “via” options (for controlling one modulation source with another), and 57 destinations. This level of modulation routing was unthinkable in the original hardware and opens up immense sound design potential.
The Pro Soloist plugin introduces polyphony to what was originally a monophonic instrument, with up to 16 voices available. A dual-layer architecture allows for complex split and stacked sounds. The touch sensor effect control, a hallmark of the original ARP Pro Soloist, is faithfully recreated, enabling expressive aftertouch control over various parameters.
An arpeggiator with four playback modes and MIDI synchronization adds rhythmic possibilities to the instrument. The built-in effects section is comprehensive, featuring distortion, phaser, flanger/chorus, echo, and reverb with five algorithms, allowing users to craft fully produced sounds within the plugin.
The user interface is thoughtfully designed, with a scalable GUI featuring a focus zoom function for detailed editing. Full MIDI control and DAW automation support ensure seamless integration into modern production workflows. With over 400 presets included, the Pro Soloist offers a vast sonic palette right out of the box, spanning faithful recreations of vintage tones to contemporary sound design.
When compared to other vintage synth emulations, the Cherry Audio Pro Soloist stands out for its focus on a less commonly recreated instrument. While many developers have tackled emulations of the Minimoog, Prophet-5, or ARP 2600, the Pro Soloist occupies a unique niche. Its closest competitors might be found in Arturia’s V Collection, which includes emulations of various vintage synthesizers, or Native Instruments’ Kontakt-based recreations of rare instruments. However, the Pro Soloist distinguishes itself through its extensive modernization of the original concept. Unlike some purist emulations that aim for exact replication, Cherry Audio has significantly expanded the instrument’s capabilities while maintaining its core character. This approach is more akin to what Korg has done with their software version of the miniKORG 700S, adding contemporary features to a vintage framework. In terms of sound quality, the Pro Soloist holds its own against high-end emulations from companies like U-he or Synapse Audio. Its circuit-modeled architecture delivers a level of analog warmth and behavior that rivals more expensive offerings. The extensive modulation options and effects integration put it in league with modern virtual analog synthesizers, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of production styles.
This plugin is best for:
• Producers seeking authentic 70s and 80s lead synth sounds
• Sound designers looking for a unique, highly programmable synthesizer
• Musicians interested in exploring the ARP Pro Soloist’s distinctive tonal palette
• Composers working in progressive rock, electronic, or film score genres
• Hobbyists and professionals alike who appreciate vintage synth emulations with modern enhancements
Cherry Audio Pro Soloist is a remarkable achievement in virtual instrument design, successfully bridging the gap between vintage authenticity and modern functionality. It captures the essence of the original ARP Pro Soloist while vastly expanding its capabilities, resulting in a plugin that is both a faithful homage and a powerful contemporary synthesizer. The attention to detail in the circuit modeling delivers the warmth and character of the original hardware, while the expanded modulation options, polyphony, and effects integration open up new sonic territories. The user interface strikes a balance between simplicity and depth, allowing for quick access to classic sounds as well as deep, intricate programming. With its extensive preset library and broad sound design potential, the Pro Soloist is equally suited to vintage enthusiasts and forward-thinking producers. While it may offer more complexity than some users require from a preset synth, its versatility and sound quality make it a valuable addition to any virtual instrument collection. The Cherry Audio Pro Soloist stands as a testament to thoughtful plugin design, offering a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation that will appeal to a wide range of musicians and producers.