SOMA Terra Demo - Including Notes from the Manual
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Quick 30 minute session exploring some of the sounds I saved during my first couple weeks owning the fantastic new Terra from SOMA Labs. All sounds come from Terra with no external FX or processing added.
The "engine settings" diagram is intended to show which synth algorithm is currently selected as well as whether the "low sample rate" toggle is enabled, since that is not shown directly in the video. The parameter toggles I have selected within each algorithm can be seen directly on the control triangle in the video.
I included the descriptions from the manual for the parametric controls on each algorithm used. In reality, I don't actually think about any of this while playing/exploring the Terra, but I thought this might be helpful for those who want to understand a little bit more about what is going on under the hood.
Most of these sounds are from the very first synth algo in the polyphonic bank which just goes to show the amount of variety that is packed within a single algorithm on the Terra.
Interacting with the Terra is one of the most immediate musical experiences I have had with an instrument. I highly recommend everyone giving the Terra a try if you have the opportunity.
Chapters:
0:00 Debussy's Breakfast Cereal
2:49 Smooth Distortion
9:54 Exploring Clouds
12:12 Copland's Night Terrors
13:30 Video Game Workout Montage
17:34 Enter the Night
20:20 Tread Lightly
22:43 Searching
25:30 Undetermined Fate
#somalaboratory #SOMATerra #SOMA #Terra #synthesizer #synth #music #jamsession #electronicmusic
This is the first Terra video that made me really start to eagerly wait for my turn to get mine. Really expressive and interesting timbres and sounds.
Thanks! You won't regret picking up the Terra. The hardest part of using it is deciding what pitches you want on the note keyboard and what intervals you want on the pitch shifter. Once you find the combination that feels right, the music will pour out; and the journey towards that destination is a delightful exploration of interesting textures.
@@ScoobiusDoobius-jo9cv Thank you for important insight. I have been a bit worried that the it has so much character that I will finally sell it because it is difficult to integrate it my music. This was the case for me with the Buchla Music Easel.
Thanks for the effort of making great demo in functional and musical terms. Both practical and inspiring magic 🙏🏾❣️
1:05 that's some classical composition chord movement right there
Your Exploring Clouds progression reminded me of Iasos and how quick emotional movement could be expressed. Great playing my man. I am waiting for mine as I type this. Excite!
Amazing performance.
Absolute best Terra demo video I’ve seen. You’re super talented. Bravo!
Fantastic performances!
4:52 oh wow, brilliant
You're too kind. I'm glad you enjoyed! I cannot overemphasize how much music just oozes out of this thing.
@@ScoobiusDoobius-jo9cv I'm getting mine in just a few days, and you've demonstrated its musicality perfectly in this video, and exactly how I'm intending to use it!
one of the best demos so far, great playing !
Aww thanks for saying that! I resisted the urge to immediately post something playing through the presets, and instead take a few more days to get to know the Terra first. The presets are amazing, but it really comes to life when you start experimenting with different note layouts and pitch shifter configurations.
@@ScoobiusDoobius-jo9cv that's exactly what needs to be shown: it has ability to be configured to each players vision and playing style, thanks to that your presets seem more interesting :)
Got mine a few weeks back, this machine truly have no limits in expression! Worth every penny!
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks for listening, I appreciate the kind words!
got mine today. absolutely fell in love, my soma collection is complete and i am blessed. the most beautiful thing i had under my hands! great performance.
Thank you! It really is a joy to play, have fun!
2:48 I knew…If I can do half this ,I’m gonna be alright !! Like it dude❤❤
12:25 haha Copland's terrors, those sus chords will do nicely along in the combination with that timbre
Easily the most musical and expressive of all the demos on here. Some great track titles, too! Loving the tuning on the first and last tracks. The last one especially is very reminiscent of Olivier Messaien, with those octotonic tunings. As he wrote his "Fete de Belles Eau" for six Ondes Martinots, I'm sure he would have approved!
Just had the email from Soma to confirm my order 🙂
I love Messaien's work, you're comparison is too kind! I hope your wait is not very long. Every musician should experience the Terra firsthand.
@@ScoobiusDoobius-jo9cv Yea, I'm looking forward to getting it too, and will probably upload a demo of it once I get my head (and fingers!) around it.
Did that particular sound (on the last track) on the Terra come preprogrammed with that tuning, or did you have to put that in yourself? I have the feeling that the first piece, despite your having named it after Debussy, is also based on a Messaienic mode, though I'm not sure which one 🙂
Superb demonstration Scoob. 😃👍🏻👍🏻
Really like what your doing here. What scales are you using? Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! To be honest, I don't remember all the scales I used for this. I definitely was messing around with open guitar tunings on some. For most of them, I usually started with one of the basic modes and just added notes that sounded nice in between to fill out the 12 sensors on the note keyboard.
What an amazing synth and you are very good at bringing out the best in it.
One question: the Terra Engine Settings graphics, which I assume corresponds to the triangle of dots in-between and above your hands, does seem to be the same in the video as you have it in your visual. Am I missing something?
Thanks so much for the kind words, I appreciate it!
You are correct that the graphic corresponds to the triangle above my hands, but the graphic is displaying the engine selection which is not shown in the video itself. The control triangle has multiple functions. The graphic is just showing which synth engine is being used and whether the low sample rate toggle is enabled. This information only displays on the triangle when holding the "E" engine select button, so it is not shown in the video directly. I thought it might be helpful for those who have been getting familiar with the Terra's functionality while waiting on their preorders.
In the video, the triangle is displaying which parameter toggles are enabled within the synth algorithm. This is the default function of the triangle when no other button combinations are used. To be honest, the manual does a significantly better job explaining this than me: somasynths.com/terra_specs/
@@ScoobiusDoobius-jo9cv thanks for clarifying! Mine should be arriving soon so these types of videos are super exciting (and helpful!)
Oh also! Does it come with these different scales like Debussian? Sounds wonderful
As far as I can tell, the Terra does not have a way to save scales separate from the entire preset itself. When you save a preset, it save the scale, knob positions, parameter toggles, and the pitch shifter preset you are using.
The only presets outside of the main presets are for the pitch shifter. There are presets (with plenty of empty slots) to define the intervals for the different pitch shifter variations. This is handy because it makes it pretty simple to switch up how the pitch shifter behaves on the fly without disrupting a performance.
I am not sure how you could practically go about implementing this, but it would be cool if you could use the pitch shift to alter the scale more granularly as opposed to just transposing the entire instrument by a set interval. Being able to jump between different scales with the same ease as the existing pitch shifter functionality would really heighten the improvisational possibilities of the Terra because you could more easily choose scales to match chord changes and whatnot.
Amazing. Best demo so far... Thanks. Can you please explain the note layouts and pitch shifter configurations you programmed on the intro track ?
Thanks so much! I really appreciate the high praise. I have heard this scale referred to as the Kung scale which I believe is of Chinese origin if I am not mistaken. I tend to think of it as Lydian with less notes (no 5th or 7th scale degree). The exact layout of the 12 pitch sensors is: C D E F# A C D E F# A C D
The pitch shifter was using one of the stock presets. Specifically, it was the third preset within the first bank. (Control triangle middle row leftmost light on, bottom row middle light on.... I don't know if that makes any sense at all lol, kind of hard to explain without showing visually.
@@ScoobiusDoobius-jo9cv you rock ! Thanks for the detailed explanations. I will try as soon as mine arrives
I really want to jam with you sometime. Great video, great performances.
Is it easy to turn off FX if desired? Eg turn off the delay or reverb
Yes, the FX are controlled with the last two knobs on the right + the touch sensor on the far right side of the instrument next to the furthest knob as seen in this video. When the light on the sensor is on, the delay is engaged. When the light is off, the reverb is engaged. To turn off all FX, you toggle the reverb on (touch sensor light off) and turn the mix knob to zero.
So tasty
Nothing I heard/saw here makes me wanna spend money on this thing. But Vlad taps into the soft-spots of the hipster-biz quite well I must admit.
I'm not here to sell you a product. I love my Terra and I've seen plenty of others who feel the same. If you're not interested in it, that's fine too. People can find enjoyment in different things and that is okay.
damn this demo rules