Sonic LAB: Soma Terra Desktop - Conceptual Touch Synthesizer

Soma Terra At Perfect Circuit (US): bit.ly/3QOX8H2
Find it here too:-
thmn.to/thoprod/569112?offid=...
Support us on Patreon / sonicstate
Another conceptual instrument from the folks at SOMA - the Terra is an interesting device with a DSP heart and an organic touch based interface. With 12 velocity and touch sensitive (note triggers) and four modifier controls which can radically alter the tone.
There are 32 algorithms which drive the internal sound engine and each of these can have additional variations - which are selected by the triangular set of touch buttons.
Also with a delay or reverb (one or the other)
The tuning of the note sensors can be done in semitones and microtuning making the scales and notes playable extremely unusual, or usual - the tunings are saved per patch.
In addition there are envelope settings for each bank of buttons, the decay/release or fade out of both the actual notes played and the modifier.
Additional tuning is handled by the pitch shifters - generally + 1 or 2 octaves and down -1 -2, with a fifth by pressing two together.
The results are pretty unusual, although you can easily tune Terra to be in key if you want to play with others.
Priced at €1300(+tax) $1599
somasynth.com
00:00 - Start
00:30 - overview
04:06 - Sounds 1
10:44 - Loading patches
12:46 - Modifying patches
14:06 - Transpose Buttons
19:26 - Drum patch
20:35 - Algorithms
25:13 - Arpeggiator
26:48 - Playing Terra
30:27 - Midi Control
33:40 - Conclusion

[@cchoge]

I had a chance to play one last month, and it's surprisingly versatile and fun. Much more intuitive and playable than it looks like at first glance.

[@erswell961]

I can’t remember the exact episode, but I’m fairly sure this was the instrument Spock used whilst meditating over a long lost love. Whilst its definitely not everyones cup of Vulcan Chai, if its yours, its a truly wonderful machine. Live long and prosper!

[@vereyafrequency]

i just pulled the trigger! it. was love at first sight for me. cant wait!! ive been waiting for this all my life. seriously

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Fantastic. As someone who is not a fan of the modern synth overload of options (but has to use them) this is a breath of fresh air. Can’t wait to get my hands on one of these!

[@RikMaxSpeed]

I had the most fun a SuperBooth playing this synth: you’re not always sure what going on, but it always sounds as though it’s on the edge of something truly great! I’m totally sold.

[@izzymonkey]

I absolutely adore my Terra! 💙 It sounds *fantastically* rich, deep, and engaging. I recommend using the balanced outputs, if at all possible, when recording. The headphone out is also perfect for sitting somewhere quiet and simply exploring--which this is uniquely designed to encourage.

[@improziv]

I’ve been trying to come up with the use case for the balanced outputs. Can you please explain your experience so far? Cheers.

[@izzymonkey]

@@improziv Certainly. In my setup the interconnect runs are long (over 3m) and gear is connected to different AC sources. Also, from mixer/interface to monitor preamp/amplifiers--everything has balanced input/output.

[@improziv]

@@izzymonkey thanks! Glad to hear it makes a difference when you need it. I’ll have to try it here as well. My interface has balanced inputs.

[@browe]

@@improziv Give it a go! Worst case: there's no down side. 😄

[@user-vk8zj1ni1b]

Shhh !! Don’t tell anyone lol

[@intheblink]

Brilliant! Lovely to see you back, Nick. I love my Lyra, which I discovered through your review of it. I would love to grab this one, but it’s a bit rich for my blood at the moment. Hope I can at least find one to play with one day.

[@synthsamuraiproductions]

This thing is a beast! Love it great review demo

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Most innovative synth ever, just a dream synth in my opinion. Gorgeous sounds! Great demo Nick.

[@boothbuster]

This is quite a coincidence - was just thinking the other week that instead of the current MPE controller approaches, it might be better to have something like a wind instrument where the fingers don't move much or at all, and thus be able to play notes more rapidly with some other form of expression.

[@EannaButler]

FM and RIng Mod are the most interesting modifiers in a synth, for me. It's so cool to see them embraced in such a way for the Engine modifiers. Overall, the Soma Terra has to be considered an astounding instrument. In a brave new world of digital comms and things like AI and robotics, this for me is human-computer interaction at its pinnacle. Bravo!

[@HazeAnderson]

The Ring Thing by Electro-Harmonix is a great pedal for synths. 👍

[@EannaButler]

@@HazeAnderson Yep! I bought mine new (I never buy new pedals) when it came out in c. 2010. Love that you can auto tune to the input 👍

[@Slammo]

Nice to see such a warm interface.

[@RossTregenza]

thanks, very informative. Still can't decide if I can justify buying one :)

[@Bagatellamusic]

SOMA's always outside the box. Lovely!

[@donaldpriola1807]

Never change, Vlad. The industry needs you.

[@Psychlist1972]

Nice overview, Nick.

[@kirtandreamrezzer]

Dual purpose cutting board! Love it!!! 🤩 🥳

[@rockanthems]

Although not a keyboard player, this is perfect for me , because I’m a sound person ,and guitarist…but i have a Memory Moog and thats another thing i know where all the sounds i can get which the Terra does have the upper echelon of sounds like Moog . . I love the vibrato shaking your finger over the touch (notes) and the Terra basically being a modern touch control without a screen…a screen would be a huge plus , hmmm . I would absolutely love to be able to save the exact Arpeggio and settings or sounds but haven’t figured out if that’s possible?.

[@mark35mi]

Terra is... amazing. Many pay thousands of dollars for a hand pan... getting one sound and set of notes. This has THOUSANDS of different sounds / tones / note sets / synths / modulations. Epic. And can play similarly to a hand pan etc. I was fortunate to be an early signee... got mine... and literally get lost noodling every time. I am not a pianist... so this is a musical blast. Terra is... amazing.

[@christopherpederson1021]

Handpan isn’t really a good comparison because you don’t have to plug it in though. That’s the beauty. You can’t really slap this thing either. Honestly, i’d rather have a good handpan.

[@mark35mi]

You are entitled to your opinion, though i believe you missed the point. Some prefer playing a good set of spoons. Different strokes. Different folks. Enjoy your pan.@@christopherpederson1021

[@paulgulling838]

Just got mine, and the form-factor is great. it seems 20% smaller and lighter in weight than I expected. Also, it sounds nuts.

[@asynchronicity]

Needs plastic end cheeks 😅

[@mwarsell]

I like the weird intervals. Hans Zimmer used to sit on his hands before playing so it wouldn't just the same stuff.

[@midierror]

Is it rack mountable? 😂

[@aeon136]

ROFLMAO!!!🤣

[@supercompooper]

Ummm it kinda is the rack.

[@schloelelelele]

That's the good thing about wood, just drill holes, screw on some perforated plates and you're ready to go 😄

[@caleykelly]

Spice rack-able, yes.

[@subs4794]

You just need a hacksaw and duct tape.

[@stevem8430]

Received mine last week and have been blown away by it. A very intimate experience playing it.

[@jean-marieguitard6734]

Thanks. What about more 'analogic' sound to modulate to ? I mean known sounds like acoustic instrument sounds for example, modifying by this machine with our own finger and creativity, possible ?

[@EannaButler]

Very cool. The least "Midi" synth ever! Some truly great sounds, new and old, from this unit. Future classic status guaranteed!

[@EannaButler]

And OMG it sends Midi out! ❤

[@mauriziofaggion]

I'm getting into ambient music production, and this synth is really cool, must be weird to play that tactile way, great explanation!

[@katesfather8619]

Any advice on how to update Firmware. Nothing happens when i try.

[@ericpeters0n]

Love it, love it, love it. Vlad is a genius. This review format overlooks the MOST IMPORTANT feature of this instrument: It's meant to be an experience that takes you outside your usual experience and mindset while making music. Dont overanalyze it, just dive in and swim.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

🥇 Only comment that understands the instrument

[@bigmanlizard7326]

anyone thinking its not that good being told "you just dont get it" is a very important feature for selling these overpriced things indeed

[@cockur]

I used it at Superbooth earlier this year and while it was fun and interesting - for €1600 it was hard to get excited about.

[@ichiban8558]

Has there ever been an instrument that Is more Gaz Williams than this thing? Needs a Gaz review. It will blow his mind (and ours) 😮😮

[@LordoftheBadgers]

Does it have a bossa nova rhythm with fill button? Otherwise no deal

[@ridleykemp5789]

Tell me you've never had long hair without telling me... What a brilliant instrument. I wonder if I'd have the openness to really explore it properly. I feel like I'd need to unlearn a lot of habits.

[@rekindle]

Soma forever. ... there needs to be some kind of film that would be the contemporary equivalent of Blade Runner with an all Soma soundtrack.

[@ToyKeeper]

On the one hand, this seems pretty cool and can go into some new territory. On the other hand, it seems to try very hard to make familiar territory difficult or impossible to reach. Would like to see the engine in a somewhat more traditional form factor with more modern amenities. For example, this engine could go into something like a Microfreak.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Why? That’s 100% not the designer’s intention. Just buy a Microfreak. Or buy this and MIDI it up to something else. I swear, people are *trying* to be obtuse sometimes.

[@annother3350]

@@sub-jec-tiv There's nothing wrong with wanting to explore a sound engine beyond the scope of the designers intent -- look at the TB-303 for example

[@ToyKeeper]

@@sub-jec-tiv Because it'd be a lot easier to get stuff done with it if it had a screen and keys and less wood with more intuitive controls. It seems to have a great engine inside, but it's held back by the interface.

[@McEnroe911]

@@ToyKeeperyeah I wish it had a screen and normal keys and normal oscs and a ladder filter and standard envelopes and a black plastic chassis. Maybe version 2…

[@user-vk8zj1ni1b]

I think sonic state should do instrument videos on select small and portable modular set ups.

[@scotttriathlon]

i would use this exactly once

[@subs4794]

Where is the Eurorack version? 😉

[@mwarsell]

Preordered. *drool*.

[@davidjazay9248]

Would have been great if it had come with a sound editor.

[@Novaheart1998]

Is there a plugin ? 🎉😅

[@subs4794]

Where are inexpensive innovative DIY woodworking and/or 3D printed modern controllers using wireless MIDI 2 / MPE? And have space inside for the option to stick in a synth board.

[@bob-rogers]

It's neat, but it seems like it would take a long time to learn it. Not having a screen means you'd have to memorize all the presets plus all the variations. PS: those little black spiral things are ponytail holders.

[@izzymonkey]

I thought so, too, but sitting down with it the first time... Terra is very *immediate*. I was off and running without really even having to think about it. 😀

[@sub-jec-tiv]

It’s pretty funny how many of the comments on this video completely miss the point of the instrument. *whoosh*

[@browe]

@@sub-jec-tiv As you said: whoosh! 😄

[@annother3350]

Thats what they said about the guitar

[@bob-rogers]

@@annother3350 They said the guitar was so unintuitive that a professional reviewer would need to keep the instruction manual open? I don't remember that. Do you have a reference?

[@noveltycrusade]

This thing is bonkers😂

[@hazelmillsmusic]

Hello there 😯👌🏻

[@FloydRunner2049]

Ciat-Lonbarde- Peter Blasser

[@retromograph3893]

Music without plugins

[@Patriotic_Eagle1995]

It's just a noise box for people with no talent. It needs all the gimmicks to make up for the fact it's a non-instrument 😂

[@sturdyblock]

Braces, plaid shirt and clip on man bun are included in the box.

[@HaineZeeTV]

Tried this at Superbooth and LOVED it…. Just gutted I’ll have to sell a kidney to afford one.

[@russ254]

Hope you got more than one kidney

[@HaineZeeTV]

So do I!😂

[@sub-jec-tiv]

For a hand-made instrument it’s really affordable.

[@HaineZeeTV]

@@sub-jec-tiv I didn’t say it wasn’t a fair price. I just indicated I would be unlikely to able afford one. Affordability is dependent on me having money vs cost of the item!🤯

[@clivesweet]

is that Clive Owen speaking? 🤣

[@hoagy_ytfc]

Is it also available left-handed? I'm not left handed, I'm just wondering ;)

[@bigmanlizard7326]

just call the pads/buttons nipples nick, its clearly what they are

[@ianward2087]

Grew up in the era of recorders and REAL instruments! Please send me a fingering chart and will work out how to play C major scale! Best of luck!

[@Eightball69]

It just sounds like the Animoog app to me 😬🤔

[@NamelessSmile]

Good for Instagram reels, not sure how useful it would be for anything else....synth engine doesnt sound very complex either

[@subs4794]

If you're going to make no display instrument, you better have a phone app to access it's set up stuff...

[@GirlfightClub]

Huge SOMA fan. Waited and waited and waited. Too late, bought a Push 3 instead. Can do circles around Terra tbh

[@valemaxema73]

Not comparable at all to be honest

[@GirlfightClub]

@@valemaxema73 right! Push 3 (and I HATE HATE HATE Ableton fwiw….) has so much more to offer. This Terra pales now, and it’s Soma’s own fault in crippling this amazing MPE device. Push 3 fills my thirst . And got it in 5 days. I’d have to wait til December for Terra , for what? Not to FUD, just disappointed yet worked out with Push 3

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Wouldn’t even compare the two...this thing is in a class of its own. Really haven’t felt any similar inspiration from the Push, but defo will revisit it eventually

[@HazeAnderson]

When the old Terra was first announced I was excited that little Billy was going to finally get his first Yamaha CS-80. But the new Terra is clearly not a Yamaha CS-80. The Yamaha CS-80 has so much more to offer than the new Terra. This new Terra pales now and little Billy will have to wait til December for Behringer, for what?

[@istvantoth7431]

Too much talking. Too few play.

[@elderflour]

An instrument made entirely for the self absorbed bedrrom player, incapable of making any sound an audience could ever want to hear. This truly is a represention of the social media synth "community" 🤣

[@T-H-X]

no one needs this

[@roncoots3800]

A lovely piece of sanity... thankyou. I'm off to rob a bank......