Meet The Makers: Vlad Kreimer of Soma Labs

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.
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[@s90210h]

This guy is writing synth history.

[@TheNimasan]

words!

[@jonbirchartist]

This man is genuinely wonderful. The way he thinks, the way he expresses it and the unique things he creates. What a lovely interview. Thank you.

[@joannawhite1841]

Thank You Vlad Kreimer for such an important and amazing instrument that the Lyra-8 is. I am a 74 year young woman and appreciate what a blessed gift you have provided me with, in the lyra-8. Your work is providing a clearing of space for expressions of hope, peace, sadness, and grief in such a troubled world... I think that you are a prophet in the nonlinear, changing with your instrument's voices, our existence in this world for the better. I remain always amazed and grateful for your time and work for us in this most important matter. Thank You.

[@cultofours2648]

Vlad will be looked in the eyes of history as a GAME CHANGER in how we interface with sound.

[@cgawainf4785]

My Lyra 8 arrives today! I am excited and inspired by Vlad Kreimer's conceptualisation of electronic music and hope to soon be following on that journey.

[@Sypher474]

What a great guy. Can't wait to see what else he's going to come up with

[@malcolmbliss777]

You, sir, are on the cusp of a new era. We eagerly await your every endeavor.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

I am so happy to have discovered Vlad and his groovy synthesizers. I have a LYRA-8 kit on its way to me from Russia. Looking forward to the build, and using my artist, woodworking, and electronics skills to make a version of the LYRA-8, that is uniquely my own, with my heart and soul inside and outside of it. Thank you Vlad for sharing your ideas, engineering, and synthesizer making skills with us. Thank you Sonicstate for this great interview. Love and respect from California, USA.

[@djformalin]

Show us your lyra8 soon, pls 🎼

[@otisobl]

His story is very much like mine - I was in punk music, worked in a music store, and got new vibes from electronic music. 30 years later, I listened to him there at Superbooth, and bought one right on the spot.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

That is very cool. I can relate, having similar experience myself. Happy Trails....

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Great approach to engineering, to go from the experience instead of the dry theory. Had many discussions with engineers that usually don't listen since they are engineers.

[@darlingfarm9525]

AND IM DEFINITELY GONNA BUY THAT DRUM MACHINE

[@lordblobbie]

AGREED

[@dekalboy8816]

You mean the pulsar 23 ? Too expensive for me

[@pxltr]

@@dekalboy8816 Just wait 20 years for Behringer clone of this xD

[@UNSCPILOT]

Bought one of his Soma Ether to experiment around with, it makes some wonderful weird sounds and give such a strange new perspective on the electromagnetic sounds all around

[@christopherpederson1021]

@@dekalboy8816 worth every penny

[@RuneWarhuus]

Had the absolute pleasure of standing next to these guys at Superbooth. Wonderful bunch of guys, and Vlad is an insanely good engineer. Some people make stuff, others invent stuff. Vlad invents stuff.

[@darlingfarm9525]

I love this guy’s approach to design. Currently saving up for a Lyra 8.

[@jonaseggen2230]

I got one. Look forward to it, and when you get it, spend much time with it. Read about it, watch videos about it and play it. It will make the soundtrack of your sweetest dreams and your worst nightmares.

[@quinxx12]

I just put myself on the waiting list for the DIY so I don't have to save up that much

[@nandodolleman7819]

Did you got the Lyra 8?

[@susanneratzer2281]

I love his concept . Its very deep and has a lot of passion for sound and art and even live.

[@7VSTUDIO]

Poetry and science! Thank you, VLAD KREIMER!

[@JureJerebic]

The pouring of the water from one cup to another is to cool the water down, most japanese green tea should be served at specific temperatures, that's why they do that :)

[@ionfreak2618]

Such an amazing person and engineer! That organismic drum machine must be phenomenal.

[@yanonayanonay]

What a beautiful interview, a lot of humanity, this man looks so humble. I love the last word : "thanks for the good questions"

[@thomasyon4332]

Graet points of view. Great interview. To watch and rewatch!

[@batchas]

Thanx for sharing. I kind of regret you did not filmed a few meters behind you, in the huge beautiful park surrounded by faint/low sounds of nature, instead of loud drums. It's funny it did not disturbed you :) Again, thank you for making these interviews.

[@sonicstate]

because it was windy and we needed the shelter. No wind guards for our lavaliers this time

[@elevationVasilis]

Very Big Pleasure!

[@tehnik333]

awesome person. best of luck, Vlad!

[@abominablemusic]

yes, more chaos in electronic music!

[@brianreilly6545]

Great interview! Hope meet the maker continues, very cool

[@Noiretranquility]

I manage to end the interview with those annoying drums on the back, keep going Vlad, the world needs more creativity like yours

[@jonaseggen2230]

My two favorite synth people in one video : ) If I was rich I would pay them to collaboration and make a record. Lyra 8 can be as sweet and mellow as a slow spring, a troubled and angry horror film, or mad and funny as a manic pixie dream girl.

[@jahtari]

what a legend...

[@marcthomas8192]

There is a genius right there

[@suzanneaston2206]

Prophetic words from @Sonicstate two years ago....- “There is something to be said for working in isolation....” (C) Nick Batt :)

[@grindedfranz]

genius.. love his work!

[@InkyDaCaT]

Love this guy💗

[@quinxx12]

Can this guy please release a beginners guide to electric engineering for synthesizers??

[@BrunoWiebelt]

I totally agree with him and love my lyra 8 thank you for that interview

[@badinibeats5939]

great snare solo at 7:12

[@niksonder7094]

this man is a true inspiration

[@TheNimasan]

exceptional genius!!!

[@Paintopia_VR]

A beautiful soul

[@ArseniyVasylenko]

Here is a video with the mentioned Papa Srapa, playing with Vlad Kreimer and another interesting Ukrainian musician, Max Trianov, joining them later during the set: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2PKooKKdriUr8k

[@thehandoflenin]

Lyra 8 best synth in my studio

[@TerekkiTerekki]

Great interview - really interesting guy

[@jbowmanmusic]

Genius

[@WillisZzz]

At 14:00, I wonder if he's talking about Jonas Gruska of LOM Instruments

[@ninehorsejohnson]

Vlad needs to get together with Eno

[@alaeifR]

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ emotional ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ resonance ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

[@andrebarros8448]

This simple guy puts to shame all the big manufacturers. Instead of creating something new and interesting they keep investing in nostalgia.

[@yvesbajulaz]

What a cool cat…

[@arnaudcinquabreperez1539]

They need à healthy amount of kaos

[@jakianasrin2663]

I can't recognise him.

[@Alaska1925]

Sorry, but SMT doesn't sound worse than through-hole. It's all in your head if you think it does. Just like those people who think that using audio cables ONLY ONE WAY FOREVER changes for the better how sound comes out of your amps/monitors. Even though that's all BS and pseudo-science.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Alaska1925 Through hole just looks more vintage. Its good if you are going for a look.......and more importantly, it is easier to repaor and replace components. For a longevity standpoint through hole is better.

[@Alaska1925]

If you've like looking at the insides of synths rather than playing them, yeah maybe through hole is the way to go if you prefer it over smt (personally I like the look of both). Easier to repair? Yes. Though I keep hoping that in the near future there will be some way to easily deal with smt, even for hobbyists. And actually, smt component last longer than their through hole counterparts, so while they are harder to replace/repair, there probably won't be any need to do so for a very long time, longer than through hole machines..

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Alaska1925 Sorry I was not clear....I was talking about the old old school through hole....bread board style lol. Honestly though IDC which way it is, as long as I can circuit bend it!

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@Alaska1925 Perhaps more importantly, through hole is easier to modify, add new features and make changes to, for those who enjoy doing that kind of thing.

[@graviton9282]

Yeah cause your opinion is based on actual science. I think I’ll take the experts word for most it...that’s kind of like saying all people are the same because they’re all humans. Nonsense. If it’s different than it’s different. Better or worse is subjective but different is the facts of the matter.

[@bernii4515]

i don´t get it... this one and / or the lyra??? looks like a toy for people that don´t know where to spent there money!? hey.... that is just a question..

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Once you have enough money to survive, then you begin to look for other ways to enjoy your money. I can assure you that people who buy Vlad's synthesizers, know why they want them.

[@tb-303devilfish8]

xmrtuvgs they surely do know,

[@graviton9282]

I’m gonna buy one right now. Like for real!

[@AsyncLive]

hilarious accent))