SOMA Lyra-4 Zanzibar Blue drone synthesiser

General

The SOMA Lyra series includes rather unique synths, designed specifically for drones, diffuse soundscapes and effects that can be called extreme. Do not expect brass patches, funky basses or E-pianos here, because the Lyra is not built for that at all. The Lyra is all about analogue oscillators that form a drone and can influence each other via FM for a complex array of overtones. The Lyra-8 has eight of those oscillators, this blue Lyra-4 has four, and is therefore also priced a lot more affordably. But twice half makes one, and with two Lyra-4s you can achieve things you couldn't with a single Lyra-8. So if you want to create strange sounds and unique, drone-like soundscapes, the Lyra-4 really is a synthesiser from another planet!

Hyper LFO, delay and distortion

Whereas most synths work with a straight line from note to sound, the Lyra-4 is an interwoven set of feedbacks, modulations and non-linear connections, just like a living organism. Thanks in part to the four voice generators, each controlled by metal touch sensors that respond to your hands, interacting with this synth is also unique. How you touch, how hard and how long: it determines the touch, the volume and the character of the sound. Tune the four voices in organ mode to chords and intervals, or switch to FM synthesis where each voice works as a separate FM operator. With fun, experimental features like a Hyper LFO (two generators for complex, rhythmic modulation waves), a modulated delay (set the feedback high enough and it starts oscillating itself) and the SELF mode modulates its own delay time. Unique effects you won't find anywhere else like this! And a tasteful distortion closes the signal path. Compact, lightweight and with a unique sound and build quality that is ready for the stage and studio.