Terraforming | Extending Soma Lab's Terra with midi

video upload by

"When I started this journey I was looking forward to use the Terra MPE mode as a fancy controller. I made a video, and deleted it later because it didn't meet my expectations compared to dedicated controllers like the Linnstrument and the Seaboard. The old video ended with a lot of speculation and a nice patch with Terra and a modular setup. It wasn't any good. But I could not let it rest either.

It did not use the knob/sensor mappings and I did not check how it would behave as a controller for an MPE PC/VST setup. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't spectacular. Terra uses fixed Midi CC messages, and my VST did not support midi learn. It was another dead end. Yesterday I decided to make a CC mapping for the Endorphin_es Shuttle Control and tried a full modular MIDI to CV route, mapping all Terra's knobs and the ABCD sensors. This turned out to work really well. This video is not intended as a 'how to do it', because I am still working on it. It also requires the right eurorack modules and there are just too many converters/options.

It's been a connectivity nightmare that took way too much time and energy. But now my Shuttle has a preset mapping and I can now start experimenting and exploring. I really enjoyed the music and sounds that emerged along the ride. The footage I used is from Iceland."

FLUX prototype demo (SOMA lab)

video upload by Vlad Kreimer

"FLUX brings forth the musicality and expression of classical instruments, such as violin or vocals, enriched by new timbres and the flexibility of postmodern instruments, harnessing the power of current technology.

FLUX is a high end professional synthesizer with expressive possibilities, an innovative interface design with top quality digital-to-analog converters and analog components.

FLUX features a unique continual touchless keyboard that offers seamless control over a number of sound parameters without quantisation.

In many ways, FLUX is inspired by the Theremin, which offers the unique opportunity of controlling sound by moving your hands in the air without touching any object, all of which lends the performance a special plasticity and beauty.

Unlike the Theremin which works by virtue of the capacitive coupling of hands and antennae, FLUX is based on magnetic principles. Two magnetic bows are pressed between your fingers, and the interface is a multipolar magnetic sensor, registering the bows’ positions and movements. The X coordinate of the artist’s right-hand bow controls the note’s pitch, while the Z coordinate controls volume. The left-hand bow’s X, Y and Z coordinates control the various synthesis parameters.

Since a magnet has two poles, FLUX not only detects the bows’ spatial coordinates, but also the bows’ angle. This means that flipping the right-hand bow on the Y-axis changes the octave, which allows a range of six continuous octaves without transposing the keyboard. With transposition you can get a range from sub-bass all the way to ultrasonic. The left-right tilting of the right-hand bow on the X-axis controls two independent modulation parameters.

The left-hand bow controls the timbres. The timbral sensor, placed in the left part, has six poles, and independently registers positive and negative magnetic fields. This lets you change which parameters you control by flipping the bow, allowing you to control up to twelve independent sound parameters. Together with the pitch, volume and two additional tilt parameters on the right-hand bow, you have access to a total of sixteen sonic controls that you can use during performance, without ever touching the surface of the instrument.

Summing up the concept of FLUX: the most direct and immediate way to play with a large number of synthesis parameters in a musical way, creating a dynamic timbre composition. Different synthesis algorithms (engines) will be created as complete musical instruments for direct timbral control. All engines will be available in a single firmware and any engine can be launched in a fraction of a second. Presets will allow the user to save and recall the entire state of the synth including engine and all tunings.

We developed FLUX with the aim to create a modern instrument for academic music, offering powerful sonic tools such as distortion, complex FM and physical modelling of non-existent, surrealistic musical instruments. We invite modern performers and composers to use FLUX in their work.

FLUX works in monophonic, duophonic and polyphonic modes. Staccato-enabling and quantisation modes are available. The quantization function has an adjustment parameter for vibrato. FLUX has a stable, even, and clearly marked note scale. This makes FLUX much easier to learn and to intone cleanly than on the Theremin.

FLUX’s synthesis is DSP-based. It features built-in spatial FX. The digital-to-analog converters and the analog circuit are based on our in-house designs using Hi-End principles.

FLUX is under development. We will inform the community about the progress."

via SOMA Lab

Ambient jam with the Soma Terra and Soma Cosmos

video upload by Jay Hosking

"A live, semi-improvised synthesizer jam performed entirely on hardware.

First, apologies for the change in video quality. I upgraded my camera, but some problems with the SD card led to a reversion back to 30 frames a second (I'm a big believer in 24fps). It also isn't looking quite how I want yet. I hope it's not too jarring.

Second, I got the Soma Terra. It is a joyful experience.

Some of the Soma stuff just doesn't work for me: the Lyra was always halfway to what I wanted, the Pulsar has great sounds and (for me) small sweet spots. But the Cosmos was a revelation, like something I'd always wanted but didn't know how to put into words. The Terra has a similar feeling.

The Terra is expressive and has complexity, but also is immediate to understand, musically. It's quick and easy to modify in terms of the sound engine and the notes associated with each brass button. The sound engines were a real positive surprise, with lots of warmth and musicality. The reverb and delay are good and totally useable, but not near the level of some of the dedicated pedals out there.

The Terra's not perfect for me—the number of buttons, and general layout, make it feel more like a device for solos versus a complete arrangement like guitar or piano—but it's a joy to play, and utterly unlike anything else. I wonder if Soma will iterate upon the design, make something a little more for two-handed playing. I'd also love to see diatonic transposition, though that would require some sort of way to set the scale; in the meantime, I love how fast and relatively seamless it is to switch patches (and thus switch the notes). Ultimately, I'm sitting here thinking about going back and playing the Terra some more, and that's always a fantastic sign.

Thanks for listening.

Soma Terra - synthesis and performance
Soma Cosmos - asymmetrical looping

Performed and recorded live to a stereo output, with EQ, compression, and limiting on the master."

The Soothing Ambient And Microtonal Depths of a Decopunk Synthesizer

video upload by HAINBACH

"This is the Soma Terra, a microtonal digital synthesizer released just this year. Soma send it to me a while back for feedback, but I only got to play it now (sorry Vlad), as I felt this instruments deserves time and space to learn. And I was rewarded. Terra is a digital synthesizer in a shape that seems archaic, like a Decopunk harp straight from Bioshock. It has an interface that takes the touch keyboard experiments that Don Buchla pioneered further, making for a very responsive instrument. It uses specially coated sensor to translate touch into control. Terra allows a while range of tones, from soothing ambient to screaming microtonal noise, with an impressive range of expression. But it has its quirks that relate to directly to the minimalism of its design."

Davide Incorvaia - Clockwork Elves [Fat Banshee Rooftop Sessions]

video upload by Fat Banshee Records

"The Fat Banshee Rooftop Sessions presents Davide Incorvaia - Clockwork Elves!

Join us on this psychedelic, electronic piano journey with Davide Incorvaia on the rooftop of Fat Banshee Records! Davide is a Berlin - based pianist and composer who is known for his intricate soundscapes.
The song is a dark and twisted exploration of the human psyche, and it is sure to transport you to another world. Enjoy the techno jazz!

Piano / Composition / Mixing: Davide Incorvaia

Video/Sound Recording : Yamirah Gercke"

Joy of synthesizers: Yamaha Tenori-On and Soma Terra

video upload by AdamEnjoysSynths

"This is the Yamaha Tenori-On and Soma Terra. They are almost polar opposite playing surfaces, but generate beautiful and interesting music together."

Soma Terra meets TP-7 for a secret ambient exploration

video upload by astrophage

"Brand new instrument to explore in a brand new space!"

T-1 + Pulsar 23

video upload by torso electronics

"Experience techno heaven as you play with the incredibly rich-sounding Pulsar23 alongside T-1. These two machines together are a time-consuming delight. Happy sequencing!"

Random Source Serge Dual GTO with Lyra-8 FX

video upload by Dimitrios Sismanis

"Testing out the new Dual GTO with a freshly modded Lyra-8 FX."

Terra by Soma Laboratories

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"It's always a joy to hook up a new Soma device and get lost in streams of sound. In my humble opinion, Terra is one of the most beautiful synths on the planet."

Pulsar-Beat

video upload by verstaerker

"a heavy Beat made with Pulsar-23 and a scary Pad on the Prophet-10
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to listen more music by me please visit
https://verstaerker.bandcamp.com
https://verstaerkerahead.bandcamp.com"

Terra Basic Operation (video tutorial)

video upload by Vlad Kreimer

For full and detailed information please read the main manual:
https://somasynths.com/terra_specs/
Product page: https://somasynths.com/terra/

TIMELINE:
0:00 Connecting Terra
0:31 The interface
1:40 Hands position
2:13 The pitch shifter
3:52 Holds
6:25 Loading a preset
7:09 Loading a scale from a preset
7:37 Saving a preset
8:09 Selecting a synthesis algorithm
9:43 Selecting a variation for a synthesis algorithm
14:04 Setting the gyroscope sensitivity
15:49 Knobs
21:34 Tuning the note keyboard
24:46 Selecting a pitch shifter preset
25:46 Tuning a pitch shifter preset
28:41 Master-tune
29:44 Arpeggiator and rythmic LFO

Sonic LAB: Soma Terra Desktop - Conceptual Touch Synthesizer

video upload by sonicstate

"Another conceptual instrument from the folks at SOMA - the Terra is an interesting device with a DSP heart and an organic touch based interface. With 12 velocity and touch sensitive (note triggers) and four modifier controls which can radically alter the tone.
There are 32 algorithms which drive the internal sound engine and each of these can have additional variations - which are selected by the triangular set of touch buttons.
Also with a delay or reverb (one or the other)

The tuning of the note sensors can be done in semitones and microtuning making the scales and notes playable extremely unusual, or usual - the tunings are saved per patch.
In addition there are envelope settings for each bank of buttons, the decay/release or fade out of both the actual notes played and the modifier.

Additional tuning is handled by the pitch shifters - generally + 1 or 2 octaves and down -1 -2, with a fifth by pressing two together.

The results are pretty unusual, although you can easily tune Terra to be in key if you want to play with others.
Priced at €1300(+tax) $1599
http://somasynth.com

00:00 - Start
00:30 - overview
04:06 - Sounds 1
10:44 - Loading patches
12:46 - Modifying patches
14:06 - Transpose Buttons
19:26 - Drum patch
20:35 - Algorithms
25:13 - Arpeggiator
26:48 - Playing Terra
30:27 - Midi Control
33:40 - Conclusion"

Soma Laboratory ENNER 2021 - Limited Edition Red

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Panel layout below.

"LIMITED EDITION in red, hard to find in US

ENNER is a very expressive sound tool that can generate bits, pads, FX, noises, clicks, glitches, but also function as a cool vocal mic with built-in analog FX and much more! A musician with a rich imagination and who’s experienced in playing ENNER can perform an entire exciting gig using just this synth.

As an instrument, ENNER is a unique analog synthesizer with the key principle being that all signals that make sound pass through and are managed by your body. Your hands become the central part of the circuitry. Touching different contact pads with different parts of your fingers and palms with different amounts of pressure, letting signals pass through your body defines the mixing, volume, timbre, feedback and other parameters of synthesis. Human skin has much more complex electric properties than we think. Our skin provides not just resistance but also some capacitive properties and even nonlinear dependence of conductivity from current, its direction and time during which the current was applied. All of this affects the sound, making you the key part of the synthesis process.

All pots of ENNER are metallic and also function as inputs or outputs. Touching a pot can change not only the parameters but also patch the audio signals."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Live Hardware Electronic Music: Balance.Spring and Marc Barecca

video upload by Patchwerks

"This month we're happy to host the musical talents of Marc Barreca and Balance.Spring for our monthly Showroom Sessions.

As always, Showroom Sessions are a great chance to enjoy live music from our incredibly talented community and link up with friends old and new in a casual environment, connecting over a shared love of electronic music and all its devices.

Balance.Spring is the performance project of Seattle-based Brian Krall. Growing up on the iconic Casio SK-1, Brian has always been intrigued by the art of sound design and experimentation. In 2016 Brian started Balance.Spring, with an emphasis on live improvised hardware performance and experimentation. Brian is fascinated and motivated by finding where the path of technology and engineering cross with music and sound design. Brian is currently studying for a Master of Music Technology with a Game Audio Technology emphasis, where his capstone project is focused on spatial audio and developing an immersive sound and music experience in VR.

Instagram: @‌\ _balancespring _

Marc Barreca has been creating and performing electronic music since the mid-1970s. His 1980 album, Twilight, reissued on vinyl in 2018, was one of the earliest releases on Palace of Lights. His most recent releases include the solo CDs Recordings of Failing Light, The Empty Bridge, From the Gray and the Green, Shadow Aesthetics, a double CD with K. Leimer, Drowning Guides, two CDs with Steve Peters and K. Leimer as "Three Point Circle", and a vinyl collaboration with K. Leimer, Chains of Being, on the Spanish label, Abstrakce Records. Reissues include solo work and 1970's recordings with Young Scientist on the acclaimed VOD box set American Cassette Culture and the Cherry Red compilation of seminal U.S. electronic music. Additionally, a vinyl version of the 1983 cassette, Music Works for Industry, was reissued on the Freedom to Spend label and a vinyl version of the 1986 cassette, The Sleeper Wakes, on Scissortail Records. His work is also included in the collection of The British Library.

Links: https://www.textura.org/archives/b/ba...
http://www.palaceoflights.com/
https://www.thestranger.com/music/201...
http://youngscientist.bandcamp.com/al...

0:00 Balance.Spring
34:01 Marc Barecca"

Soma TERRA

video upload by Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"The instruments that SOMA Synths build are some of the most innovative, original and inspiring musical tools around today. I just took delivery of TERRA, which continues their ambitious release of beautifully bizarre and unique creative instruments.

According to their press release - “The core idea is unity of nature and technology, and a perfect balance between simplicity and versatility. Behind the extremely simple interface hides a complex polyphonic, microtonal synthesiser with a broad and flexible sound palette that ranges from classical beautiful tones to complex atonal noise, and offers smooth and fast transitions between these extremes.”

You play by touching the sensors and can even use motion sensor to modulate and alter the sound by intuitive movements of your hands and body.

What I love is how it combines the world of the acoustic instrument, the bodily relationship to the device, as well as the flexibility and free range possibilities of synthesis. The housing of TERRA comes from a solid piece of wood, making each instrument unique and, so mine is utterly mine and mine alone. Here's what I made in the first couple of hours of playing with it today."

The Pulsar 23

video upload by verstaerker

"a first test run with my new Soma Pulsar 23 .. additional sounds with OXI Coral and Novation Peak
Animation based on generative Art using Midjourney and Kaiber.ai"

Pulsar 23 Tiny Tribe 2

video upload by Cray

SOMA Pulsar 23, euro, Analogue Solutions Fusebox X

video upload by Cray

pulsar 23, Fusebox x, euro

video upload by Cray