Alex is the creator of Sol Systems, a custom sound system designed to bring unique sound experiences to events. Started three years ago in Romania, Sol Systems still produces its speakers and handles engineering there, while management and fine-tuning happen here, in Amsterdam. What began as a small project has grown into something much bigger than Alex ever expected. After moving to Amsterdam, he initially wasn’t sure what to do with the speakers but found Contact, where he began by storing them. Now, Sol Systems not only hosts events at Contact but also rents out their sound systems to other companies, providing sound engineering and concepts for events that want a distinctive auditory experience. They’ve expanded their reach, with their first international event in Germany this summer, and other venues in Amsterdam now partner exclusively with Sol Systems to create a unique sound identity. There are also frequent parties hosted at Contact, during which Sol Systems handles the sound while Repere, a Romanian event concept founded by Alex, takes care of event organisation. The result is parties with the music they love, using their custom sound systems.
Alex has been connected with Contact since last April, initially using it only for storage for the first four months. Last summer, he began hosting events here and have been busy ever since. Alex appreciates the diversity of creative minds at Contact, finding inspiration in the constant flow of new concepts and ideas. Working with Contact has also made Sol Systems economically sustainable.
Currently, he is working on a new cabinet design for the sound system in Romania, as well as preparing for a new season of events in September and October—stay tuned to know when these will be! They will also be involved with parties during Amsterdam Dance Event.
The biggest inspiration behind starting Sol Systems was the lack of attentive sound design at events. Finding a balanced sound can be challenging, and this gap inspired Alex to create a concept where sound quality is never overlooked. He’s also driven by the technical side of sound design and the community that surrounds it. For Alex, it’s incredibly fulfilling to create a product that comes to life, making Sol Systems a part of sound culture and also giving back to it. The world needs more sexy speakers, and he strives to balance aesthetics and functionality in their designs, focusing on sound as well as all of the other senses.
One of Alex's most memorable events was hosting a stage at a festival in Germany this summer. Set in a 19th-century castle basement, he experimented with a setup where the DJ was in the middle of the room and the speakers surrounded the space. This arrangement created a unique environment where the audience and the artist could interact in new ways.