New SOMA TERRA Synth

TERRA announcement (SOMA labs) video upload by Vlad Kreimer

"All sound in this video is TERRA without additional FX.
Just a slight master limiter was added."

via SOMA LABORATORY

TERRA is a new SOMA Labs synth that is currently in development.
TERRA is a highly conceptual device. 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 synthesizer 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.

The innovative keyboard design invites new playing techniques and covers the full range of a grand piano with the possibility to tune each note with an accuracy of 125 steps per semitone. To achieve this range with such a simple keyboard we designed a unique system of pitch shifting using four additional sensors. Pressing different combinations of them will result in 16 variations of keyboard transposing, including up to 3 octaves up and down, fifth, fourth, third, tone etc.
Not only do you get the full range of a grand piano in a very compact design, TERRA also offers an entirely new and different approach to playing melodies and chords.

CLICK FOR MORE »

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."

"Pollinator" by Disciples of Earth

video upload by Imaginary Lens

Music video for the song "Pollinator" by Disciples of Earth
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dis...

"THE FIRST Disciples of Earth VIDEO/SONG HAS BEEN RELEASED.

Jamie McMenamy: Soma Terra

Steve Sciulli: Soma Terra

The song is now available on all streaming platforms. Please click the link in the video to support us by downloading the song.

Here’s what to expect:

Our first song Pollinator is a dark ambient exploration utilizing experimental bio-connection technology. We interact with two Soma Terra instruments to create a textual sonic exploration of inner and outer space.

Jamie McMenamy and Steve Sciulli started playing together in the mid-1990s. It was during a event to mark the 50th anniversary of the Roswell crash that we first performed together. Shortly afterwards, we developed the electronic music duo called the Missing Time Experience. The Disciples of Earth is our first intuitive collaboratory piece since the Missing Time Experience days.

We hope you enjoy.

A little about the soma terra:

TERRA is a highly conceptual device. The core idea is unity of nature and technology, and a perfect balance between simplicity and versatility.

TERRA is a sanctuary for a natural soul right in the middle of the rumbling plastic world, a ground where you can breathe in and out slowly, and hold on to your roots. TERRA is our dream about a bright future where we will be both technologically advanced and more connected to nature, where machines and technology are not a prison for our feelings and spirit but their extension."

SOMA Synths Terra - First Look at the Production Unit & Factory Tour

video upload by sonicstate

"We were invited to visit Soma Sound Machines at their Warsaw factory and while we were there were shown the pre production model of the Terra - the unique and very sensitive instrument . Terra features twelve extremely sensitive nodes (cant think of what else to call them!) for playing pitches, plus five for modifying the timbre, there are also 7 modifier knobs which globally effect the sound with two being dependent on the algorithm used.

Despite the wooden case, Terra is a digital sound source and has multiple models which are played rather like instruments, each model has 64 variations. As usual, its a rather off the wall concept, but thats what makes Soma the way it is. In practice, its incredibly sensitive and flexible - reminds us of the Eagan Matrix instruments found in the Haken Continuum or the Osmose.

The Terra will be in production very soon and making its way into the stores."

You can find additional Terra posts here.

VISIT: SOMA Sound Machines Factory in Warsaw

video upload by

"A couple of weeks back we were invited to visit the Soma Sound Machines factory in Warsaw, Poland. As well as a look at the first production models of the expressive Terra instrument, we got a look around their place.
PCBs and components are delivered here, the Through Hole hand soldered components are put onto the boards, any SMD (surface mount design) parts are sent off to the machine, units are tested put into the cases and shipped to distributors and customers. Lyra 8 , Kosmos, Pulsar-23 and Ether are made here and pretty soon the new Terra will be too.

Its actually a pretty cottage style industry, surprisingly small but also very efficient."

Just a Minute - SOMA TERRA #1

video upload by Stefan Tretau

"These are my first steps with the TERRA from SOMA. I am far from mastering the instrument. Nevertheless, I am sharing my first musical experiences because I believe that it is a unique instrument that anyone, whether amateur or professional, can have fun with. Since I typically rely on programmable sequencers and DAWs, TERRA comes as a refreshing change. The intuitive user interface makes playing effortless and inspires you to break new ground. Let's see where the TERRA-journey takes me...

I used a Neunaber Immerse Reverberator on the TERRA outputs to have the internal effect (such as the delay) and a secondary reverb effect. I also added a looper pedal to loop certain phrases.

If you hear any crackling, cracking or clipping, it's due to my (to be optimized) audio system and not the TERRA itself."

1st video:
00:00 Sketch 1
06:57 Sketch 2
11:12 Sketch 3
12:59 Sketch 4
15:34 Sketch 5
24:23 Sketch 6
30:32 Sketch 7

2nd video:
00:00 Sketch 1
03:19 Sketch 2
08:29 Sketch 3
09:10 Sketch 4
10:23 Sketch 5
16:40 Sketch 6

Superbooth 22: Soma - Terra

video upload by sonicstate

"Terra is a very organic-looking creation, crafted from wood and metal to fit comfortably to human hands and allow for the subtle expressivity of an accoustic instrument. The core idea is unity of nature and technology.

Under the (wood) hood, lies a 12 voice polyphonic digital synth, but as Vlad tells Gaz, it's a synth that embraces the best side of digital and avoid the worst, with no plasticky sounds here.

Soma Terra availability: the first custom units are becoming available, but production begins at the end of 22

Price: TBA - under 1000 euros for the production model"

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's Terra is a Wild Micro-Tonal Synthesizer | NAMM 2023

video upload by Reverb

"We had a chance to stop by the Soma Labs NAMM booth to see the new, yet-unreleased Soma Terra—a wildly innovative instrument hiding is a complex polyphonic, microtonal synth engine hidden under its simple, natural-feeling interface."

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."

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."

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 // What are all those blobs?

video upload by Starsky Carr

"A look at how the interface on the SOMA Terra works. It looks completely impenetrable, and that's because it is! Nothing to penetrate here.. just fiddle and go.. and therein lies the beauty! There are 32 sound engines which can interact with the buttons in different ways.

You've got 12 blobs for tuning, 4 blobs for 'macros' and a few knobs and buttons for selecting parameter and so on. From sublime to ear-drilling mayhem in a few moments. It's the sort of thing you want to spend hours and hours playing.

A FESTIVE GIFT for VERY loved one (i.e. buy it for yourself!.. yours...elf - it's Christmas after all.)

https://patreon.com/starskycarr
https://starskycarr.com"

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."

Doing Nothing

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Today I have a day off and I am not doing anything. This is what doing nothing sounds like. #jamuary2024 Day 10."

With the Soma Terra, Soma Enner, Soma Cosmos, & BB-8.

NAMM 2023 - SOMA Laboratory - Terra

video upload by sonicstate

"Cari Flynn gave us a demonstration of the SOMA Terra, the highly expressive and lovely instrument that aims to cross the boundary between nature and technology. Behind the extremely simple interface is a complex polyphonic, microtonal synthesizer with a broad and flexible sound palette capable of beautiful tones, complex atonal noise, and everything in between.

Cari took us through some of the different banks and presets available, starting with the gentle and expressive preset in bank one sound one, and finishing by demonstrating the arpeggiator sounds in bank 4.

Available soon. Price: TBC"

Jamuary 15, 2024. Watching From the Ramparts

video upload by stujay

#jamuary2024
Make Noise Strega
Soma Cosmos
Soma Terra

TERRA (SOMA lab) demo video

video upload by Vlad Kreimer

"All sound is just TERRA without external FXs or post processing."

You can find additional demos and details on SOMA Lab's TERRA in previous posts here.

SOMA TERRA: Apply pressure to unleash chaos // Review and tutorial

video upload by loopop

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
2:20 Note sensors
3:30 Timbre sensors
4:10 Pitch shifters
5:30 Gyro
6:15 Holds
6:40 The Triangle
7:30 Envelopes
8:00 Effects
8:35 Sea & sun
9:10 Engine controls
10:50 LFO & Arp
12:00 Presets
12:50 Connectivity
13:30 Synth params
14:00 POLYPHONIC
17:00 Evil synthesis
18:35 Church organ?
20:15 Dist. ecstasy
20:40 EXPERIMENTAL
20:50 Gyro feedback
21:00 Drum synth
21:20 FM
21:55 Rate @ 50%
22:20 BASS
22:35 Smart glides
23:10 Expressive 303
23:30 SOLO
24:25 Formants
24:45 MIDI out
26:55 Pros & cons
29:30 Outro

SOMA Terra jam - sounds from #superbooth #short

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"Perfect Circuit is an independent electronic instrument shop with an online store at https://www.perfectcircuit.com/ and a Burbank, California showroom at 2405 Empire Ave. We're open seven days a week, 12-8 PM, and our entire inventory is available to try out in person. Get your hands on the most excellent analog and digital synthesizers, effect pedals, Eurorack modular synths, drum machines, recording gear, and more!"

soma terra

video upload by studio snippets