Terra by Soma Laboratories

It's always a joy to hook up a new Soma device and get lost in streams of sound. In my humble opinion, Terra is one of the most beautiful synths on the planet.
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[@CinematicLaboratory]

Please note that 'impossible to read the markings on the dark version' refers to playing in low light with no muscle memory.

[@silverblue73]

I did get the dark version as it was the most appealing to me between the two, but I can understand how dark on dark is difficult to make out. I work with a lot of traditional art materials and I'm wondering if a UV reactive ink would be of assistance here, while also looking cool lol

[@wbmatter1]

If you don't mind defacing your Terra, you could try rubbing a light-colored crayon across the markings. The light-colored wax will fill them in. Just wipe off the excess. Absolutely agree with "one of the most beautiful synths on the planet". I'm still in new Christmas present infatuation phase, but right now I can't imagine ever *not* being infatuated with it.

[@tgiencke]

Being a trauma nurse, what Covid-19 taught me is “diving into & exploring” a synth space is an amazingly effective mental health tool. I use a battery powered Digitone in my case.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I am not sure, but I think there's healing quality in making music. Thanks for your comment!

[@relativity6511]

The part about the Dreamtime has nice authenticity

[@TheNimasan]

despite having a terra beside me, i still come here to watch this. imho this instrument is THE ( perfect ) INSTRUMENT for the cinematic lab. channel. eventho i really love ALL their stuff, i just can't get enough from this one. ...

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I really need to spend more time with it.

[@Longstride]

I came looking for excuses to buy one myself! I was not disappointed 😂 artfully realised and honest, I love how you ghost the hands in post so we still get to see the terras buttons beneath as you play! Bravo!

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I often find myself filming more arm than instrument and it can really ruin a shot. I found that making a still frame from the video and superimpose it on the damaged scene works very well as a 'repair'. So it's not used creatively, it's a fix :).

[@silverblue73]

I really like how this is more a diary than a tutorial, reveling knowledge gained progressively, on a journey

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Thanks! Indeed, Jamuary is like a diary with a new challenge every day. I was absolutely sure I'd skip 2024 but I am happy I gave it another go.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Sorry, I didn't realize it's my Terra launch video :). But I revisited again and again it's magic.

[@sergiosensation6]

My favorite demoi thus far. You really made this thing sound ALIVE!!!

[@CrazyAboutVinylRecords]

Jeez this right up my alley. I have been waiting for something like this for years.

[@TheNimasan]

I mean I am a soma fanboy since the beginning. Own almost all their stuff. I am gonna get the dark terra in couple of days. Already on the way. Watching this video makes me count the seconds now. I played with it at the superbooth, but I didn‘t have any clue what happened, I just felt this is a special instrument. What a fantastic video. Thank you so much for the suggestion with the marker. I am sure I need to do that as well.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I was convinced I could wash it off if I'd make a mistake. You can. But the white acrylic paint easily gets in the wood. I almost ruined my Terra :)

[@silverblue73]

think I'll end up filling in the cavities of the symbols already there, I'll post to /somaterrasynth when it's done@@CinematicLaboratory

[@sonuslapidis]

Best Terra-Show here....Super and Thank You

[@klippdachs]

Great stuff! Thanks for posting.

[@monosnack]

In the very precipice of diverting my attention elsewhere, I found myself ensnared in the boundless intricacies of the sound scapes woven by your craft and that of Terra. A tale hitherto untold unfurled before me, igniting a conflagration of neural activity within. Allow me to express my gratitude for this extraordinary journey, one that has left an indelible impression upon the recesses of my mind. (could I say this with simple words too? YES... but I decided agains. LOL)

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Wow, thanks for getting poetic.

[@jonaseggen2230]

I am a great fan of Vlad and Soma, got the Lyra and will soon get that bow thing (cant remember name), would also recommend his oldest videos to understand what kind of mad genius this guy is.But, even though impressed, I was never really interested in getting any of his other instruments, until now. This performance with Terra is the best promo in the world, probably.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I had my eye on Dvina too, the string thing. But you actually need to play it for real so I bailed out :)

[@silverblue73]

Love your demo and tips all expressed so artistically, my Terra is on the way and I'm beyond excited! I've created a subreddit /somaterrasynth to share and discuss this beautiful instrument.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@pianoyan]

This sounds beautiful

[@HAntonRiehl]

Mine arrived yesterday, and while I did get a "dark" one, my wood is a little lighter, I find it much easier to read the markings than the one that SOMA US has been taking around... So far though, the instrument is AMAZING, and I really am loving the musicality of the interface... Can't wait to see how you end up using it! :)

[@CinematicLaboratory]

You're going to love it SO MUCH!

[@HAntonRiehl]

@@CinematicLaboratory I've been enjoying it so much already. It's so expressive!

[@silverblue73]

That's great! Mine is on the way, wondering which shade I'll get lol What is your setup?/What do you have yours connected to?

[@johnolivermusic]

Nice vid. Just in case nobody else mentioned it, at 11:16 you claim there is no MIDI In. That's not true. The MIDI IN port is there and accepts clock only which is great to sync the echo and arpeggiator with other gear/ master clock. The MIDI out allows the TERRA to be a MIDI controller. This thing is amazing!

[@CinematicLaboratory]

According to the manual there's no midi IN support except clock. I agree it's a great feature to have compared to no midi at all, but I am not as impressed as you are :).

[@johnolivermusic]

@@CinematicLaboratory I agree with the designers that allowing TERRA to be controlled by a sequencer defeats the design purpose of the instrument. It goes contrary to the SOMA philosophy. Allowing it to sync well with timing coming from a master clock I think is an important feature for integration with other instruments, while allowing TERRA to shine at what it does best expressively. And having - finally - a tunable instrument that plays pitches well with other musicians was the missing link in the SOMA lineup. I haven't tried it as a controller yet because the sonic possibilities of TERRA are so varied and fascinating.

[@silverblue73]

Have you tried sampling or looping the Terra yet?

[@wajobu]

Great video, as always! I can’t even get a response from SOMA. Been on their Terra list from the moment it was announced. I have no idea when I’ll have a chance to purchase. I see them at all the shows online, and their IG page, but nothing. Hopefully some US dealers will get some.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I am not sure, but I think Johno Wells from ModularWorld has a tight link with Soma US. Maybe shake some trees and a Terra will fall out.

[@silverblue73]

Try making a new email or two heh, and get on the list again.

[@kenswanson1093]

Thanks again .. nice demonstration. I want a Terra now, .. and some of that transparent hand cream.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

It's a typical out of body experience :) No, my left arm was in the way and I had no backup from the top cam....

[@kenswanson1093]

@@CinematicLaboratory ooo, .. it's a great technique, this.

[@Desolaire]

thanks for this review, what version firmware is your Terra using? I am waiting on mine, I also picked the dark version, the wood is so beautiful looking. please note this does have MIDI in, it should be the same jack as the CV.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I have no idea what firmware it is on and honestly I never felt like checking :). It sounds amazing and it never felt like they released prematurely.

[@walrtbstudios5430]

The sort of instrument that might have featured in the original Star Trek…

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I think it can feature in any sci-fi movie made in the last 100 years :)

[@GirlfightClub]

@ 14 mins 🔥

[@DJ-Lazy-Lodger]

something in mind reacts !

[@СергейВолков-з4ж]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@domgraveson1942]

Is this run through other effects when recording or straight out of the synth with no treatment?

[@CinematicLaboratory]

When I use the delay on Terra, I've sometimes added a bit of reverb in post (session 1). But in the other sessions I figured I did not need anything else but Terra.

[@bulentkamali]

What did I just watch? :0

[@silverblue73]

What is your lab setup like?

[@kosmikmusa]

Is this Soma Terra without any external effects?

[@CinematicLaboratory]

No, I added a bit of reverb in post, since you can either choose delay or reverb, but not both. But I used it mildly.

[@smfedor]

I also went with the dark Terra and am very tempted to borrow your white marking mod for the same reason ‐ my poor eyes. I just wish I had more faith in my penmanship.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I must admit it was a serious risk and I still feel the sweat on my back.

[@richardjacob8139]

If the original markings are indented you can use a wax crayon to fill them in and rub of the excess.

[@renevanderkraats224]

That thing is not from this place. Seems willing to try and communicate with you though. Maybe it's creating music via unseen dimensions?

[@CinematicLaboratory]

If you take away all the magic, it's a piece of wood, a clever digital engine, some touch sensors, a lot of cross modulation and a gyroscope. So let's never take away all the magic. They say it's a thin layer of real gold. It's like a digital handpan made to enjoy with some solar powered power pack and headphones and have a bit of quality time. It doesn't require any skills or five years of conservatory. I think it's a masterpiece.

[@renevanderkraats224]

@CinematicLaboratory Yes, a really different and unique piece of equipment. Glad there are companies that dare to go into unknown territory:-) A little bit too pricy for me at the moment however :-/

[@fumarolas]

No MIDI IN arrrrgg nooooo whyyyyy, this is so sad!

[@thenarproject7186]

Kinda Portale Modular....