SOMA | Ornament 8

SOMA | Ornament 8
€680.00

ORNAMENT-8 is an organismic sequencer, or in a broader sense, a synthesizer of behaviour. A unique feature of ORNAMENT is its fully horizontal modular structure that consists of eight equal and independent cells which are special delay lines. It’s in fact an analog computer with a temporal dimension, the behaviour of which is determined by patching and adjusting the temporal properties of each cell involved in the generation of the behaviour. 

ORNAMENT can be controlled via Eurorack-compatible Control Voltage. The output of ORNAMENT is also standard CV signals that can control LYRA-8, PULSAR-23, Eurorack systems and any equipment that can receive CV, including non-audio ones such as lighting setups or electromechanical installations. For controlling LYRA-8 we developed a special adapter for easy connection to the LYRA sensors while also preserving the ability to play it normally with your fingers.

The adapter attaches to LYRA’s surface using magnets which make installation easy and safe. ORNAMENT, as an organismic sequencer, complements LYRA’s organismic synthesis nature, making them a perfect pair.

ORNAMENT-8 is based on a completely new principle of synthesis of behaviour. Instead of a vertical structure with a tempo generator on top and some memory for storing sequenced events, we have a dynamic equilibrium inside a horizontal structure without any memory, just an infinite “now” that generates the next moment of behaviour. In certain key aspects, it resembles a neural network where there is no difference between “processor” and “memory”, where functions are blurred and all structures are very flexible. Because the ORNAMENT is fully modular, you can connect any number of ORNAMENTs into a single network, creating very complex multi-dimensional structures with the same complex behaviour. For those with philosophical inclinations, ORNAMENT is a playground the size of a box of chocolates where you can study fundamental laws of life and society, going beyond linear logical thinking.

ORNAMENT-8 was designed by Vadim Minkin, the new creative mind who recently joined SOMA laboratory. ORNAMENT is intended to be the first in a line of SOMA sequencers developing new principles of behaviour generation and control.  

 

Soma 's Ornament-8 is a sequencer with a completely different concept than most sequencers on the market. Created to interact with Soma's Pulsar-23 and Lyra-8 instruments (via sensor adapter), Ornament-8 is the creative control center between these instruments and even a Eurorack modular system. Without its own tempo source, this sequencer relies on an external clock like the LFO of Pulsar-23.

Instead of tracks, there are cells (eight in total) that generate switching states, control voltages and hold times. In order for the tracks to interact with each other and/or to cycle, the corresponding contacts are connected with alligator clip cables.

This explains the nickname "organismic sequencer"; in order for it to become a whole, it is necessary, as in nature, to connect individual elements together so that the sum of all elements forms a larger unit. How extensive this unit is, is up to the user.

Features :

  • Trigger Sequencer8 cells (tracks)
  • 8 outputs for Lyra-8 (with sensor adapter)
  • 8 outputs for Pulsar-23
  • 8 Eurorack/crocodile clip adapters
  • 4 pulse converters
  • Time range per cell 50 ms - 50 sec
  • Trigger polarity switchable per cell
  • Open "organism concept
  • Voltages are Eurorack compatible
  • incl. power supply
  • incl. 12X 65cm cable with crocodile clip
  • incl. 14X 30cm cable with crocodile clip