A short – unconventional – no talking – Soma Terra review

The Terra, by Soma Laboratory, is an incredible polyphonic microtonal synth that can't be compared to any instrument out there. Its possibilities are practically endless.

It’s a perfect stand alone instrument which, however, when properly played, would integrate perfectly into any musical formation, from classical music to funky jazz, pop, ambient, etc., and of course armed and ready for sound design.

The tech spec are excellent:

32 Synthesis algorithms
1-12 voices Polyphony (depending on the algorithm)
96 Presets
24 Pitch Shifter presets
Line out L, R TS/TRS 1/4-inch jacks / 6.35 mm jacks
Maximum line output signal 13 V peak-to-peak
Nominal line output signal ~1.5 V (volume 100%)
Headphone output TRS 1/4 inch jack / 6.35 mm jacks
Headphones impedance 6-64 ohm
CV-clock input voltage 3-15 V
Power supply voltage DC 12 V
Consumption current 0.2 A
DC jack 5.5 x 2.1 mm, “+” in center
Dimensions 405 х 365 х 57 mm
Weight ~2.2 kg.

- Possibility to tune each note with an accuracy of 125 steps per semitone;
- 12-note sensors with velocity and pressure sensitivity;
- 4 dynamic sensors for timbre modification and control;
- 4 pitch-shifting sensors and 2 hold sensors for holding the state of the timbre and note sensors;
- three-axis motion sensor for creating a variety of different modulations through the movements of the hands.

Updating the firmware (personally tested) is extremely simple via USB drive.
If we add that it’s MPE compatible (yes, you can control hardware devices and MPE plugins with your Terra!) then I would say that once again Vlad Kleimer and his team have done an impeccable job.

I started exploring this jewel a few days ago (September 2023) and I created this video to share my executive technique. Please, put on your headphones for better listening.

The first part of this video is an ambiefunky (ambient funky) style improvisation.

In the second part I’ll show the position of the hands and fingers.
Basically I prefer to have my hands wide open and fingers extended. Arching my fingers allows me to play (with the right speed and/or modulation) up to three sensors with a single finger, and increase the expressive possibilities. I jokingly called this “Terra chords”.

In short I use (obvious finger touch escluded):
1 - finger caresses (of one or more metal sensors at a time);
2 - rhythmic tapping (metal sensors) with the hand extended;
3 - arpeggio (metal sensors - similar to the arpeggio technique of a chordophone).
4 - rhythmic tapping of the light sensors (both the power sensor, to obtain the interruption of the release of the notes, and the echo sensor indicator);

To emphasize the (super)sonic capabilities of the Terra, I purposely used a basic method recording in Windows o.s. via Behringer U-Control UCA222 (a 25$ device) connected directly to the Terra, and I improvised using a factory preset (Bank 1 Polyphonic - sensor 9) without using any external effect (hardware or software) therefore, all the sounds you hear come from the Terra.

Enjoy your Terra but, first of all, enjoy yourself.

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