Soma Terra

[Eddy Deegan]

This looks a very interesting device indeed. No keyboard, rather a series of expressive sensors for the fingers. Judging from the demonstration in this video it's could be an wonderful performance instrument in the right hands.

I liked the timbres too; ranging from bells and strings through synth basses to complex distorted organic noises. It's in prototype stage at present but apparently there will be 32 synth engines in it with 64 variations of the sound produced by each.

More info here.

The creator estimated a price of about €1000 for the production version which would be in a mass-produced square wooden body, though they'll be offering a more expensive version which uses slices of tree-trunk as well.

At that price point I'll be keeping en eye on developments, I want one

[The Elf]

The sounds are reminiscent of those I've been hearing from prototypes of the Expressive Osmose. Nicely organic, which goes well with the design.

I like the non-conventional interface, though I'm not convinced of its practicality.

I'd love to see one of those on a Eurovision stage!

[Eddy Deegan]

I like the non-conventional interface, though I'm not convinced of its practicality.

Historically I've been somewhat skeptical of many non-conventional interfaces but something about this feels different. The controls can be locked to scales (and by the look of it, pretty much any scale you want including microtonal ones) and my hunch is that this could end up being practically playable in ways that would require a lot more practice with most instruments of the genre.

The expressiveness on top of that is very attractive. My eyes are peeled for future developments!

[Ben Asaro]

Another fever dream wonderment from Soma!

[Martin Walker]

Wow - just finished watching the Terra inventor put it through its paces, and I'm really keen as well. It's so encouraging to see radically different interfaces that really can be used in such a musical and live performance way.

Hopefully the fact that he's Moscow-based won't hamper final development and mass production too much - the fact that he's at Superbooth 22 is encouraging though.

Martin

[Folderol]

Fascinating bit of kit.

[Guido3]

Really lovely.

Sounded like a Dr Who soundtrack from the 70’s when he first started playing!!

[OneWorld]

This looks a very interesting device indeed. ...............though they'll be offering a more expensive version which uses slices of tree-trunk as well.

I guess Woody Guthrie would have liked one of these. That said guitars are made of wood too!

[BJG145]

New demo last month...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6Mx4F ... ladKreimer

[ManFromGlass]

I’m a sucker for real wood grain. The more character the better!

[Eddy Deegan]

That's a great demo ... I remain interested in this device

[Arpangel]

This has more than a passing resemblance in shape style and buttons, to a British Midi controller produced in the early 90’s the Notron.

[BJG145]

This has more than a passing resemblance in shape style and buttons, to a British Midi controller produced in the early 90’s the Notron.

Well spotted; although the functionality is very different, it looks likely to have been an inspiration for the design.

[Arpangel]

This has more than a passing resemblance in shape style and buttons, to a British Midi controller produced in the early 90’s the Notron.

Well spotted; although the functionality is very different, it looks likely to have been an inspiration for the design.

Yes, I knew the guy that invented the Notron, I can remember the trauma he went through to get it into production, shame it wasn’t more successful, I think Bjork took to it though.

[BJG145]

Rare classic now, they cost thousands.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/latronic-notron
https://soundgas.com/product/latronic-n ... sequencer/

V2 was one of the inspirations for the genoQs Nemo, now also rare/discontinued.

[Arpangel]

Rare classic now, they cost thousands.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/latronic-notron
https://soundgas.com/product/latronic-n ... sequencer/

V2 was one of the inspirations for the genoQs Nemo, now also rare/discontinued.

I was at a party with this Notron guy, and I said to him "you know what? we need some sort of alternative Midi Controller" we were talking about music, he said "yeah, I’m thinking about doing something, I’ve got a few ideas"
I said "what ideas" he said "I’m not sure"



Very nice guy, lost contact, as a mutual friend died.

[MarkOne]

Doesn’t Steve Hogarth from Marillion have a cricket bat controller and more recently MIDI gloves to wirelessly trigger synth notes?

[Arpangel]

Rare classic now, they cost thousands.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/latronic-notron
https://soundgas.com/product/latronic-n ... sequencer/

V2 was one of the inspirations for the genoQs Nemo, now also rare/discontinued.

£4,350? come on, you’d have to be well and truly gassed to buy anything from these guys, I’m all for free marketeering, but.

[BJG145]

Loopop just got his hands on one. I like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMC4gKgVGuI

[ManFromGlass]

And the patches sound inspiring and useful!
Nice!