ENNER playing techniques

video upload by Vlad Kreimer

SOMA ENNER posts

ENNER (SOMA lab) demo video

video upload by Vlad Kreimer

"All sound in this video is ENNER without any additional FX and multitrack recording."

follow-up to this post

PULSAR-23 in-depth explanation HI-HAT & Soft Tunes Demo

video upload by Vlad Kreimer

PULSAR-23 soft tunes

video upload by Vlad Kreimer

Vlad Kreimer PULSAR-23 posts

PULSAR-23 in-depth explanation SNARE DRUM

video upload by Vlad Kreimer

Vlad Kreimer PULSAR-23 posts

Birth of the PULSAR (SOMA lab documentary)

video upload by Vlad Kreimer

"The documentary giving you a unique glimpse into the process of PULSAR-23 production, showing you the huge amount of work and attention to detail that gives birth to the machines you love!"

SOMA REFLEX (demo of the very first prototype and announce of the project)

video upload by Vlad Kreimer

via https://somasynths.com/reflex/

"REFLEX is a new SOMA instrument in development.

REFLEX is a revolutionary new digital six-voice polyphonic synthesizer with several unique features and innovations. The main idea is to provide an unparalleled level of real-time control over both timbre and sound, merging the creation of timbres and the act of playing notes into a single process. For the vast majority of electronic instruments throughout human history, this has always been two separate processes.

This approach offers musicians a new level of sound flexibility and expressiveness. On a philosophical level, this project aims to redefine and rethink what flexibility in sound and performance can mean for the modern musician. In a broader sense, it explores the concept of flexibility as a common phenomenon and a key distinguishing feature of our modern world, and also for future humans. Hence the name – REFLEX.

REFLEX is the first complex synthesizer where the main goal is to give musicians direct access to the synthesis core, instantly playing dozens of synthesis parameters as artistically and intuitively as we play notes and velocity on, for example, a violin. To make this possible a unique multidimensional sensor-controller was developed.

The main part of the sensor-controller consists of 16 small hemispheres arranged ergonomically in a way that provides comfortable and simultaneous access to all of them for the fingers of your hand. Each hemisphere contains a tiny version of a high frequency transmitter-air-receiver chain, where the human finger functions as a kind of obstacle that affects the connection. It captures the position of your palm and fingers from 16 points of view. The sensor data collected by each hemisphere is connected in a smart way with one or more synthesis parameters. Combinations of several sensors can be processed in a separate way and attached to a unique set of synthesis parameters. Sensor output is processed at a speed of 23 kHz, which is higher than the audio range, and reaches the synthesis core with latency of no more than 50 microseconds. Tiny movements of your fingers can drive the very synthesis core, letting you play with the process of synthesis directly and instantly.

To make this approach possible, special synthesis algorithms were developed that I call “pure math synthesis”. The main idea of this type of synthesis is the absence of any wavetables, samples and anything that is a kind of “frozen past”. Instead, it uses special dynamical recursive equations and high-resolution calculations that generate sound here and now, and which are very sensitive to even the tiniest signals from the sensor-controller. As a result, it gives you the unique experience of playing a very complex but also very responsive live real musical instrument that literally breathes under your fingers.

The hardware part of REFLEX is also unique. Starting the work on a digital synth I was very concerned with how to bring our beloved analog LYRA-like sound quality into the digital realm. Existing digital-to-analogue converters available in industrial volumes did not meet our demands. So I decided to develop my own conversion system. It works with several Pulse Width Modulators with direct raw outputs, scaled relatively to each other in order to gain the necessary resolution. At the end, there is a special analog part that finalizes the signal. This analog part is built with discrete through-hole components and discrete transistors (there are no OPAMPs in the circuit!) without significant long negative feedback loops (the famous Hi-End approach). The analog part uses unique germanium transistors and WIMA capacitors that give warmness and nobility to the sound.

REFLEX is also a multiprocessor system where each of the six voices is actually a separate mini computer (a special dedicated high-performance microcontroller) with its own clock crystal and analog part. REFLEX has no global FX but instead six separate FX units built in each voice, each of which can be driven according to the current state of its voice and the note it plays. Each FX unit also takes part in the synthesis of its voice including complex feedback.

The end result of these innovative solutions is a very high sound quality, actually rare for a digital instrument. The analog mixing of voices output makes it possible to hear and distinguish each note as brightly and as separately as in old analog synthesizers because each note actually is generated by its own complete monophonic synth.

From the user interface side, REFLEX strikes the perfect balance between amazing possibilities and simplicity. Despite the big underlying complexity of this synthesizer, it is surprisingly easy to use. There are just 17 analog-style knobs with fixed functions (no multifunctional knobs). There is no menu diving. Everything is as simple as possible, letting you focus on making and playing music!

The firmware of REFLEX is upgradable. We plan to continue releasing synthesis algorithms after launch."

New SOMA Synths COSMOS Drifting Memory Station Effect Pedal

Demo Performance (no talk) video by Vlad Kreimer

via SOMA Synths

"COSMOS is a drifting memory station designed to work with meditative states through music. The design of the controls, functions and generated soundscapes are intended to evoke, in both performer and listener, states and experiences inherent in meditation, such as limitless space, fluidity, spontaneous development, presence, the ability to hear, tranquility, the experience of subtle harmony and happiness enveloping the whole world.

From a functional point of view, COSMOS is a large array of sound memory, in which recorded sounds undergo constant recombinations, spontaneously generating an ever-changing soundscape. This is achieved in three ways — by a mathematical shift based on the relationships between large prime numbers (the size of all delay lines are different primes), an asynchronous operation of the LFO, and modulation with a slowly changing chaotic signal. As a result, it allows the endless layering and processing of various sounds, as in a looper, but without an intrusive, repetitive loop.

COSMOS generates rich, fluid and evolving soundscapes perfect for ambient music. Using COSMOS, you can play an entire meditative solo concert while being in a spontaneous flow and without using studio-prepared sequences, backing tracks and other things that can’t be a reflection of the 'here and now'."

CLICK FOR MORE »

SOMA in Hip-Hop Production

video by Vlad Kreimer

"Legendary Bill Pettaway (works with Timbaland, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, Toni Braxton) presents PULSAR-23 and LYRA-8 in Hip-Hop production."

ORNAMENT-8 Tutorial Part 3 (Operating modes) & Part 4 (Сonstructing of Rhythms)

Vlad Kreimer

"Deep explanation of Ornament operating modes."

ORNAMENT-8 Tutorial Part 4 (Сonstructing of Rhythms)


"How to construct rhythms with Ornament-8"

All parts here.

ORNAMENT-8 Tutorials

video by Vlad Kreimer

Playlist (start the player above and use the controls on the bottom left to skip around):
1. ORNAMENT-8 Tutorial Part 1 (basic connection)
2. ORNAMENT-8 Tutorial Part 2 (Euclidean rhythms, Synchronisation)
3. ORNAMENT-8 Tutorial Part 3 (Operating modes)
4. ORNAMENT-8 Tutorial Part 4 (Сonstructing of Rhythms using clock division)
5. Ornament-8 Tutorial Part 5. MIDI and External Sync.
6. Ornament-8 Tutorial Part 6. PASS Out. Splitting of Triggers.
7. Ornament-8 Tutorial Part 7. X2 input and TIME modulation.
8. Ornament-8 Tutorial Part 8. Control Voltage and Modulation.

See Soma Laboratories Vlad Kreimer: 3 Big Questions posted earlier today.

Soma Laboratories Vlad Kreimer: 3 Big Questions

sonicstate

"Vlad is the force of nature behind Soma Laboratories, responsible for some of the most brilliantly eclectic and sonically awesome instruments of recent times - check out our look at the Lyra-8 and Pulsar-23, for example. As well as creating instruments Vlad also is a pretty adventurous performer with them too, and he has a unique and philosophical view on the creative process and the interface between performer, instrument and music. We filmed some 'Meet the Makers' interviews with him at SuperBooth which are definitely worth a look if you haven't already seen them, and we were intrigued to hear his take on the 3 Big Questions."

sonicstate Meet the Makers

SOMA ETHER captures signals from trees!

Vlad Kreimer

"ETHER can capture signals from trees!

How it's possible? Let's me explain. As we know liquids inside trees are saline solutions. That means that they have some conductivity. Due to this, each tree becomes a weirdly shaped complex antenna with unique resonant and radio properties that captures its own unique bunch of radio signals! Please note that the result is highly dependent on what's in the air around your area. "

Never thought of trees as antennas before.

SOMA Lab ORNAMENT-8 Organismic Sequencer

ORNAMENT-8 organismic sequencer. Demo (SOMA Lab)

Vlad Kreimer

"An experimental analog modular sequencer based on a completely new principle of synthesis of behaviour."

ORNAMENT-8 self developing composition (demo by SOMA Lab)

Vlad Kreimer

"Example of generative self-developing composition"

ORNAMENT-8 example of performance. (demo by SOMA laboratory)

via SOMA Lab

"ORNAMENT can be controlled via Eurorack-compatible Control Voltage. The output of ORNAMENT is also standard CV signals that can control LYRA-8, PULSAR-23, Eurorack systems and any equipment that can receive CV, including non-audio ones such as lighting setups or electromechanical installations. For controlling LYRA-8 we developed a special adapter for easy connection to the LYRA sensors while also preserving the ability to play it normally with your fingers.

The adapter attaches to LYRA’s surface using magnets which make installation easy and safe. ORNAMENT, as an organismic sequencer, complements LYRA’s organismic synthesis nature, making them a perfect pair.

ORNAMENT-8 is based on a completely new principle of synthesis of behaviour. Instead of a vertical structure with a tempo generator on top and some memory for storing sequenced events, we have a dynamic equilibrium inside a horizontal structure without any memory, just an infinite “now” that generates the next moment of behaviour. In certain key aspects, it resembles a neural network where there is no difference between “processor” and “memory”, where functions are blurred and all structures are very flexible. Because the ORNAMENT is fully modular, you can connect any number of ORNAMENTs into a single network, creating very complex multi-dimensional structures with the same complex behaviour. For those with philosophical inclinations, ORNAMENT is a playground the size of a box of chocolates where you can study fundamental laws of life and society, going beyond linear logical thinking.

ORNAMENT-8 was designed by Vadim Minkin, the new creative mind who recently joined SOMA laboratory. ORNAMENT is intended to be the first in a line of SOMA sequencers developing new principles of behaviour generation and control."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sonic LAB SOMA Pulsar-23 Drum Synthesizer Review

sonicstate

"Another unusual instrument from the brilliant mind of Vlad Kreimer of Soma Laboratory, the Pulsar-23 is an organismic drum machine. With four voices, extensive internal patching and interfacing, plus CV recorders and plenty of clock. We take a look."

SOMA Pulsar-23

Stimming reviews the Soma Laboratory PULSAR-23 (Electronic Beats TV)

Published on May 25, 2020 Telekom Electronic Beats

"Telekom Electronic Beats TV’s synth expert Stimming takes PULSAR-23, the new 4 drum channel organismic drum machine from Soma Laboratory for a quick test drive. For a retail price of around 1700 to1800 euros, the PULSAR-23 offers a semi modular structure, 23 independent modules and a powerful analogue effects processor, and is definitely not a machine for beginners. Let’s see what Stimming has to say about the latest product from Soma chief designer and visionary Vlad Kreimer."

Aquifex - Dark Live Jam 071619 - Hartmann Neuron & Soma Labs Lyra-8

"Fun little dark jam made on a business trip last year with the Hartmann Neuron VST (Mac host) from Germany and the amazing Soma Labs Lyra-8 made by Vlad Kreimer in Moscow.

Assembled/performed in Loopy HD on the iPad Pro, recently performed directly to a stereo recorder. Since the VST was in a standalone host app it's still DAWless, technically. :-)"

Vlad Kreimer Explains The SOMA Laboratory Pulsar-23 Drum Machine

Published on Feb 14, 2020 Perfect Circuit

"In this video, inventor Vlad Kreimer of SOMA Laboratory explains his Pulsar-23, a one-of-a-kind instrument that is equal parts drum machine, modular synth, and circuit-bent playground. Check out his performance video with Pulsar-23 here:"

Vlad Kreimer Plays The SOMA Laboratory Pulsar-23 Drum Machine

Published on Feb 14, 2020 Perfect Circuit

"SOMA Laboratory's Vlad Kreimer came by to show off the Pulsar-23: a drum machine and modular synthesizer for creating intense, interactive rhythms and soundscapes.

At first glance Pulsar-23 might appear to be a typical groovebox, with dedicated bass drum, bass, snare drum, and hi-hat channels and an integrated sequencer. However, it breaks past the duties of a traditional drum machine by using exposed metal bars as modular patch points—making it in many ways more like a modular synthesizer or circuit-bent sound laboratory.

With multiple internal modulation sources, gritty lo-fi effects, simultaneous CV and MIDI support, and an extremely open-ended sound architecture, the Pulsar-23 is part groovebox, part generative sound sculpture, and part industrial doom soundscape device all rolled into one.

Check out more from SOMA Laboratory here: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/soma-l..."

PULSAR-23 demonstration by Richard Devine

Published on Feb 1, 2020 Vlad Kreimer

PULSAR-23 in-depth explanation SHAOS

Published on Jan 26, 2020 Vlad Kreimer

"A series of demo-videos with detailed in-depth explanations of PULSAR-23."

SOMA PULSAR-23 posts

PULSAR-23 in-depth explanation BASS MODULE

Published on Jan 13, 2020 Vlad Kreimer

"A series of demo-videos with detailed in-depth explanations of PULSAR-23."

You can find additional posts featuring the SOMA PULSAR-23 here.