Soma Laboratory Revives LYRA-4 Synthesizer
It has been a busy week for synth brand Soma Laboratory. Fresh off the back of releasing Messeiver, a soundscape device that promises to ‘change your perception of radio’, the company is now relaunching its Lyra-4 synthesizer, the ‘younger sister’ to their LYRA-8.
Lyra-4 is a more compact and affordable take on the Lyra-8, Soma’s original and best-known synthesizer. Like its big sibling, it’s described as an ‘organismic’ instrument, a term intended to denote the influence these designs take from living organisms.
In more concrete terms, the Lyra-4 is based around four voice generators, divided into two pairs, which can function either like an electric organ or in an FM synthesis arrangement. These can be triggered in a number of ways, including by the touch-sensitive pads along the lower edge of the unit, which contribute to its ‘organismic’ character. The synth also features something called a hyper LFO, which is a complex low-frequency oscillator created through the sum of two standard LFOs.
The Lyra synths also benefit from some very characterful effects. A Mod Delay unit has a feedback loop that can self modulate, and also features modulation of the delay sample rate. The Distortion is designed to add characterful grit at the end of the signal chain.
What they have to say about the LYRA-4:
“Organismic means that LYRA uses some principles that lie in the base of living organisms. The way how LYRA’s modules interacting between each other and the behaviour of the instrument resembles a live conversation.
It’s smaller and weighs less, but is equally rugged in design, and still packs a lot of punch. This makes it easy to fit in a backpack and perfect for taking the LYRA sound on the road.”
Lyra-4 is available in both black and white colourways, and Soma is suggesting that users might want to consider ordering one of each.
“Playing two Lyra-4s can actually sound very different than just one Lyra-8,” Soma claims. “A set of two Lyra-4s creates a stereo image, with each channel having its own effects! We really want people to experience the magic of stereo Lyra.”
The SOMA Laboratory LYRA-4 is available now for €360, or €580 for 2 instruments.
