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

Arturia Introduces New KeyStep 37

11 video playlist above. You can use the controls in the player to skip around. In order of appearance:

1. KeyStep 37 | Controllers | ARTURIA Intro Video
2. Arturia Keystep 37: Overview and demo! from Patchwerks - Order your Arturia Keystep 37 here: http://bit.ly/pw-ks37
3. Keystep 37 — Still the King of Affordable Midi Keyboards?! - BoBeats
4. Easy Chords with one finger with Arturia "KeyStep 37" (Feat Novation Peak Synth) - Sound Provider
5. Arturia Keystep 37 Controller - Sonic LAB Review - sonicstate
6. Arturia KeyStep 37 Review and tutorial // 6 tips and generative ideas - loopop
7. Arturia KeyStep 37 controller and sequencer review - Molten Music Technology
8. Why Arturia KeyStep 37 is amazing. - mylarmelodies
9. Tutorials | KeyStep 37 - Episode 1: Overview - Arturia
10. Tutorials | KeyStep 37 - Episode 2: Sequencing & Playing - Arturia
11. Tutorials | KeyStep 37 - Episode 3: Connectivity & Settings - Arturia

And the press release:

"Arturia releases KeyStep 37 - available now

KeyStep 37 is a controller evolved to meet the creative needs of musicians across the board. Intuitive appointments like Chord mode, Scale mode, and real-time LED note feedback make it the perfect option for beginner beat-makers and composers. Instant MIDI CC control, advanced connectivity and a high-end compact keybed make it a reliable solution for professionals.

KeyStep 37 is a controller built to inspire, designed to let users interact and experiment with their music like never before - the new core of your setup.

_The standout features

The unique interplay between KeyStep 37’s features is designed to unlock and connect musical ideas in real-time. It encourages spontaneity and experimentation, letting musicians and producers savor the creative process. Let’s take a closer look at the features:

37-note Slimkey keyboard
With velocity, aftertouch and real-time RGB LED indicators for a comfortable, responsive performance.


Creative sequencer and arpeggiator
Sequence up to 64-steps with 8-note polyphony and 8 custom pattern slots, or explore 8 modes of arpeggiation.

Supercharged Chord mode
Generate instant chord sequences that respond to your velocity, with 12 chord types, and animate your chords with the articulate instrument-like strum control.

Scale mode
Quantize the keyboard and never play a wrong note. Choose from 5 scales, including a user-defined scale, to set your own musical terms.

Assignable MIDI CC controls
Interact with your hardware and software with 16 assignable MIDI CC parameters across 4 switchable banks, accessible via a new control panel and screen.

Versatile connectivity
Connect to your computer, your desktop MIDI synths, or your CV & modular gear for simultaneous control over hardware and software.

_About the Step range

Universal sequencing controllers
Uniquely combining the familiarity of MIDI controllers with the complexities of step sequencing, the Step range puts you in command of your software and hardware instruments. Just at home on stage as they are in the home studio, these sequencers are designed to enhance your ability to perform, improvise, write, and create.

Each member of the Step range features a combination of USB, MIDI and CV connections, and a variety of workflows to suit any sequencing needs. All your instruments, marching to the same beat."

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Meet The Makers - Extra: Axel Hartmann

Published on Aug 8, 2019 sonicstate

Update: mention of new designs coming from Access gets a brief mention starting at 25:25. Their last synth of course was the Access Virus Ti2. Axel does state it might not be what people are hoping for, striking out the notion of a new Access Virus.

Fascinating history on the start of both Axel Hartmmann's career designing synths and Waldorf. The first synth he designed? The Waldorf Microwave, followed by the massive Waldorf Wave - two Microwaves with full control panel and keyboard.

"While we were in Berlin for the Superbooth show, we had the chance to talk to some interesting folks as part of our Meet The Makers Series:
So as part of this Meet the Makers EXTRA series, Gaz Williams talks with Axel Hartmann about his work and and challenges of synthesizer interface design. Axel is responsible for the design of many successful synthesizers and music technology - probably more than you think...

https://www.design-box.de"

Meet The Makers Extra: Dave Smith of Sequential

Published on Jul 30, 2019 sonicstate

"While we were in Berlin for the Superbooth show, we had the chance to talk to some interesting folks as part of our Meet The Makers Series:
Here, Gaz Williams talks to Dave Smith (Sequential.com) and one of the main inventors of the MIDI standard about music."

Meet The Makers - Dave Rossum

Published on Jun 7, 2019 sonicstate

"Dave Rossum is one of those people who's influence is easy to miss.
His early involvement in electronic music instrument design started with the E-mu systems modular and quickly developed into the early digital systems where he was a pioneer.
His engineering and design work went on to bring us some real classics that shaped entire genres and generations of music: Emulator Samplers, SP12 and SP1200 being the most well-known.

We caught up with Dave at Superbooth this year and had a great chat.

As well as his own Rossum-Electro.com products, Dave also has a lot of input in other products, also being a technical consultant for Universal Audio amongst other things."

Meet The Makers - Teenage Engineering Interview

Published on Feb 12, 2019 sonicstate

"We caught up with the TE crew for our Meet the Makers interview at NAMM just after shooting the Modular piece. We spoke to:
david eriksson, head of hardware (left)
jesper kouthoofd, ceo / head of design (mid)
mattias dymling, humanist (right)
tobias von hofsten, mentor (left)
emil kullänger, pr (right)"

Meet The Makers - Chris Randall of Audio Damage

Published on Jun 8, 2018 sonicstate

Plus one on the cactus.

"Chris Randall is a regular character on the scene, hes also an interesting bloke, with previous lives including signed bandmember, touring lighting designer, record label owner and now plug-in developer, with a dash of Eurorack hardware thrown in, he's done a lot.
We met him at Superbooth and had a chat."

Meet The Makers: Vlad Kreimer of Soma Labs

Published on Jun 2, 2018 sonicstate

"Vlad Kreimer is a visionary chap, his early experiments in electronics sent him in some unusual directions, created in isolation in his native Ukraine (where he also invented his take on the sampler). These ultimately leading him to the excellent Lyra 4 and more recently the Lyra 8 which we reviewed and thoroughly enjoyed - its the physical manifestation of Vlad's desire to create instruments which break out of the standardized interfaces of modern instruments and encourage the user to explore creativity in a different way. These were built to provide Vlad with the instruments he wanted to use - his performances are the very definition of alternative."

Meet The Makers:

Meet The Makers: Analogue Solutions' Tom Carpenter

Published on May 24, 2018 sonicstate

"We talked to Tom Carpenter of Analogue Solutions, who's been making some classic analogue machines for some time.

Recorded at Superbooth 2018 in Berlin."

Meet The Makers: Tatsuya "Tats" Takahashi

Published on Feb 28, 2017 sonicstate

"If you're into synths on anything more than a casual basis, chances are you've heard of Tatsuya 'Tats' Takahashi. His involvement with the rise of the affordable analog cannot be underestimated. During his time at Korg, he has been instrumental in the new wave of affordable mass produced analog synthesizers that we've come to expect."

Meet The Makers - Dreadbox-FX Yannis

Published on Jul 29, 2016 sonicstate

"Greek based synthesizer manufacturer Dreadbox-FX started out making effects pedals, then introduced a couple of synthesizers, their most succesful being the Dreadbox Erebus (one of our favourites). Now they are making Eurorack modules with a variety of modules now available. www.dreadbox-fx.com"

Meet The Makers
Interviews

Meet The Makers - Steve Dunnington of Moog

Published on Jun 30, 2016 sonicstate

"Senior designer/engineer at Moog Music, Steve Dunington talks, Mother 32, and Moog-ness"

Meet The Makers: Mark Verbos

Published on Jun 7, 2016 sonicstate

"Starting out fixing super rare Buchla synthesizers, Mark Verbos now creates new modules as Verbos Electronics, as well as regularly performing his own brand of improvised techno and talking on synthesis approaches and techniques, he's one of the most respected figures in modern synthesis"

Meet The Makers - Ken MacBeth

Published on May 23, 2016 sonicstate

"Scottish synthesizer maker Ken MacBeth talks to Sonicstate, about his roots and designing synthesizers."

Meet The Makers - Urs Heckmann U-He

Published on May 12, 2016 sonicstate

"We talk to Urs Heckman from U-He.com about his journey into making software instruments and how development is progressing in DSP modeling"

Meet The Makers: Dieter Doepfer

Published on Jun 7, 2015 sonicstate

"The latest in our series of Eurorack manufacturers - this time we talk to the father of Eurorack Mr Doepfer himself."

Meet The Makers - Tony Rolando Make Noise

Published on May 24, 2015 sonicstate

"Part four of our chats with Eurorack modular synthesizer manufacturers. This time Tony Rolando of Make Noise Music"

Meet The Makers - Pittsburgh Modular

Published on May 17, 2015 sonicstate

"In the 3rd in our series, we talk to Richard Nicol from Pittsburgh Modular"

Meet The Makers: The Harvestman

Published on May 11, 2015 sonicstate

"We talk to Scott Jaeger from the Harvestman - creator of fine Eurorack modules about the current move towards
modular"

Meet The Makers - Tip Top Audio

Published on May 7, 2015 sonicstate

"We talk to Gur Milstein from Tip Top Audio about the state of Eurorack at Musik MESSE 2015 - the first of a series of interviews."