Hardware Effects

SOMA Laboratory WARP Is A Digital Effect Powerhouse With CV Control


Experimental synth specialist Soma Laboratory has announced WARP, a new desktop multi-effect unit designed for both studio and stage use.

Soma is describing Warp as an ‘all-in-one creative companion’ that can be used with synths, guitars, vocals or any other acoustic or electronic sound source.

WARP features 15 digital effect types that take in reverbs, granular effects, filters, micro-loopers, modulation effects and more. In typical Soma fashion, many of these effects are capable of doing unusual and creative things that push them beyond typical applications. The spatial effects, for example, are said to have extremely long decay times with feedback that can be pushed into self-oscillation.

Those spatial effects are also capable of creating pitch-shifted, reversed and lo-fi reverbs. According to its creator, these algorithms are capable of “creating endless, rich, lively soundscapes out of almost any sound.”

To help keep control of these extreme sounds, Warp’s generative effects include dedicated modules to control the feedback and sound level, which Soma says maintains “reasonable headroom and tonal aesthetic”.

Similarly, the company boasts of Warp’s ‘top class’ audio chains, 32-bit digital processing and 24-bit/48KHz AD/DA converters, which, according to Soma, “prevents sound deterioration – even while processing a complete mix”.

Further creative tools include a flanger, bit/sample-rate reduction and vintage tape simulation. Every effect type, according to Soma, includes unusual functions giving each a unique flavour.

Although overtly creative effects appear to be Warp’s speciality, Soma states that it is equally capable of more conventional bus and master channel mixing applications, making use of its filters, compressors and distortion functions.

Four knobs on the unit’s interface provide control over the selected effect type, each of which can also be controlled via CV, allowing for Warp to be integrated into a Eurorack or analogue hardware setup.

The unit itself is fully stereo with stereo inputs and outputs, compatible with both balanced and non-balanced connections. There are gain controls for both the inputs and outputs, as well as a mix control for the dry/wet balance.

WARP will be shipping early next year priced at €560. Find out more at the SOMA Laboratory website.

 

Behringer Debuts BM-18M ‘Boogerfooger’ CLUSTER BOX


Today, Behringer shared this official intro video for the BM-18M Cluster Box – a knockoff of the Moog Moogerfooger MF-108M Cluster Flux effects pedal.


Here’s what they have to say about it:

“Classic Modulation, Reimagined

The Behringer BM-18M CLUSTER BOX is a modulation powerhouse that blends the warmth of classic chorus and flanger tones with a modern edge. At its core, a simple range rocker lets you switch between lush chorusing and sweeping flange textures—but the CLUSTER BOX is anything but basic. Whether you’re chasing vintage shimmer or pushing into wild, unpredictable territory, this pedal is built to inspire.

Deep Control, Limitless Texture

Beyond the familiar sounds lies an expressive control layout designed for sonic sculpting. Shape your tone with adjustable Drive and Output Level for analog-style saturation, or blend dry and wet signals to taste. A six-shape LFO selector lets you modulate Rate, Amount, Delay, and Feedback in highly creative ways—while a dedicated tap-tempo footswitch keeps your modulation locked to the groove.

Modulation Meets Modularity

From pedalboard to modular rig, the CLUSTER BOX opens up a world of routing possibilities. Control key parameters via CV, MIDI, or expression pedal, and sculpt your effects further with a dedicated feedback insert loop. USB-C integration with the Guitar Tribe App adds even more flexibility, while stereo output with DIP switch customization ensures the pedal plays nice with any setup—guitar, synth, or studio.”

Details on pricing and availability for the Behringer BM-18M ‘Boogerfooger’ Cluster Box are to be announced.

AlphaTheta Collaboration With Algoriddim & Native Instruments Launch OneLibrary ‘Limitless DJing For All’


With the launch of OneLibrary, DJs can finally use their track collection across different brands’ players and software.

OneLibrary is a music library format that takes essential DJ performance data – including playlists, cue points, and beatgrids – and makes it work across different types of DJ software and hardware from multiple brands.

With the introduction of OneLibrary, we might finally see that change. OneLibrary has been created by rekordbox owner AlphaTheta in collaboration with djay creator Algoriddim and Traktor developer Native Instruments.

The idea is to develop a standardised library format that would allow users to transfer their collection between software and hardware systems from different brands, including important metadata such as playlists, cue points and beat grids.

It’s interesting that the initiative is being led by AlphaTheta as, in the past at least, the brand has arguably been the one that benefits most from the status quo. AlphaTheta’s Pioneer DJ-branded CDJs have long been a standard in professional DJ booths. DJs that want to make use of playlists and track collections with those players would need to export their tracks via AlphaTheta’s rekordbox software.

The introduction of OneLibrary will mean that those who use Traktor or djay will be able to make use of their existing track collections with AlphaTheta/Pioneer DJ hardware and software, and vice versa.

The development is perhaps a sign of an increasingly fragmented DJ market, in which users are less likely to commit to a single setup. In any case, from a user point of view it feels like a positive development.

Speaking about the launch, AlphaTheta President and CEO Yoshinori Kataoka said: “We’re thrilled to launch OneLibrary, a step forward in making creative expression more seamless for DJs everywhere. At AlphaTheta, our mission is to empower DJs to express themselves freely, without limitations. We’re grateful to our industry partners for sharing that vision and coming on board with this initiative. And this is just the start – so stay tuned.”

Karim Morsy, CEO of Algoriddim GmbH, said: “At Algoriddim, we’ve always embraced open, accessible DJ technology that empowers creativity. Collaborating with AlphaTheta on OneLibrary aligns perfectly with our mission to remove barriers in the DJ ecosystem. By allowing users to export djay Pro’s library for direct use on pro hardware like the CDJ-3000X, CDJ-3000, or the XDJ-AZ, we’re giving DJs the flexibility to perform seamlessly across setups – whether at home, in the club, or on stage.”

Nick Williams, CEO of Native Instruments, commented: “Everything we do at Native Instruments is about inspiring and enabling creators to express themselves through sound. OneLibrary is a big step toward a more open and collaborative DJ ecosystem – where music moves as freely as the people who play it. We’re proud to be an early partner with AlphaTheta in this initiative, and to bring seamless USB export not only to Traktor Pro 4 users worldwide, but also to new DJs starting out on Traktor Play.”

Currently, OneLibrary is only compatible with a select list of devices and applications from the three brands involved. This includes the rekordbox, Traktor Pro and djay Pro software applications and AlphaTheta’s CDJ-3000, CDJ-3000X, XDJ-AZ, Omnis-Duo and Opus-Quad hardware.

According to the official website, AlphaTheta plans to expand OneLibrary across more software and hardware products in the future, although as yet there’s no details on what that will entail and when.