Celebrating its 10th anniversary at SUPERBOOTH26, SOMA Laboratory will unveil ENIGMA – a new synthesizer controlled entirely by the position and movement of metallic objects placed on its surface.
SOMA Laboratory has always operated in its own lane, and the Berlin-based experimental synth maker’s latest instrument looks set to continue that tradition. At SUPERBOOTH26, running 7 to 9 May at FEZ-Berlin, SOMA will mark its 10th anniversary with the debut of ENIGMA – a synthesizer with a very cool and very unusual control interface.
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Rather than keys, knobs or pads, ENIGMA responds to metallic objects placed on its surface. The position and movement of those objects directly shape the sound, creating what SOMA describes as an entirely freeform synthesis experience – somewhere between an instrument and a game of chess.
Also on show at the SOMA booth will be live demos of the PULSAR-23 1984, a special edition of the PULSAR-23 with its own distinct sonic and visual identity. The standout addition is an entirely new Bass Drum architecture designed by Noah Jolly, alongside a bass filter inspired by the Polivoks circuit.
The 10th anniversary is also the occasion for a community contest running now until 11 May. To enter, participants record a 15 to 60-second video of themselves playing any SOMA instrument and complete the phrase “SOMA changed my approach to music because…” in the caption, tagging #mysomastory on Facebook or Instagram while following SOMA Laboratory, then registering via this link. Prizes include a PULSAR-23 1984 limited edition, a LYRA-8, the PIPE and ETHER.
SOMA got its start in 2016 following the success of the LYRA-8, and has spent the decade since building instruments that sit well outside the mainstream – favoured by sound designers, experimental composers and anyone who finds conventional synthesis a bit too predictable. A synth controlled by moving metal objects around a surface is an exciting innovation from the team, and one that feels like a natural step forward.
SUPERBOOTH26 runs from 7 to 9 May at FEZ-Berlin. SOMA Laboratory is at Booth 0015 in the Main Building. Full contest details are at somasynths.com.
