SOMA Lab has introduced the Ornament-8 Organismic Sequencer – an experimental analog modular sequencer, based on a new principle of synthesis of behavior.
The sequencer was designed by Vadim Minkin, and is intended to be the first in a line of SOMA sequencers, developing new principles of behavior generation and control.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“ORNAMENT-8 is based on a completely new principle of synthesis of behavior.
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 behavior.
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 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.
Pricing and Availability
The Ornament-8 is available now for 450 Euros.
This looks interesting but I just don’t feel intelligent enough to own and operate their instruments. Maybe in my next like the universe will bless me with a higher IQ.
*life
Lol jeez
Two Superbooths ago I stopped by the Soma stand, I started playing with the Lyra and their guy there handed me a manual with suggested starting points for the various pots for certain types of sounds. I found it to be really fun/engaging without really having any clue what was going on. Best sounding piece of gear I played while I was there!
Soma stuff is so awesome. I own the pipe, and its great. Their drum machine is next on my things to buy, looks like this may have to follow.
I love what Soma is doing but I just can’t buy into that alligator clip and peg interface.
It actually makes more logical sense, because with mini jacks, you can only patch 1 to 1 (unless you have a mult module or the expensive tip top cables) whereas with the alligators, it’s as many clips that can fit on the peg. The routing becomes much more versatile.
I’m curious about interfacing it with other gear, though. I am guessing you’d have to fashion your own alligator-to-minijack cables and that would be a huge pain.
its got minijacks up to between the pegs. You can see them in the video screenshot above
yeah, but presumably just in or just out, again, with the pegs the routing becomes much more versatile.
You can clip on to the end of a 1/8 inch plug if you’re careful about it.
From what I’ve noticed you can get about two clips on a peg. Which is far less flexible than a mult or stack cables
Alligator clips are used by engineers for a reason. They’re cheap, flexible, and really easy to make. I think this is a brilliant design.
After fully testing the Quantum Ocean… I am a believer of Soma Labs.. Interested to see new videos of this sequencer