Soma Laboratory

Soma Laboratory Enigma

Name: Soma Laboratory Enigma
Price: 1,469.00 AUD
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Soma Laboratory ENIGMA is an experimental synthesizer built around an unconventional sensing interface that transforms metallic objects and their movement into sound. Rather than using keys, knobs, sequencers, or traditional controllers, ENIGMA responds directly to the position, proximity, and motion of conductive materials placed on or above its surface.

Coins, screws, springs, fragments, gears, tools, and other metal objects become part of the instrument itself. The sonic behaviour changes according to the size, shape, material, arrangement, and movement of those objects across the sensing field. Even the smallest positional shift can dramatically alter the resulting sound.

At the heart of ENIGMA is a highly sensitive scanning system developed by SOMA specifically for this instrument. Metallic objects can be detected directly on the surface or suspended up to approximately 20mm above it, creating a uniquely tactile and exploratory approach to synthesis and performance.

Rather than presenting clearly labelled synthesis structures or conventional workflows, ENIGMA is intentionally open-ended. Eight touch sensors shift the instrument between different operational states and perceptual modes, allowing radically different responses to emerge from the same physical arrangement of objects.

The result is less a traditional synthesizer and more an interactive sonic field for experimentation, discovery, composition, and performance.

A Synthesizer Built Around Exploration

ENIGMA deliberately avoids explaining every aspect of its behaviour. The instrument is designed to reward curiosity, experimentation, and repeated interaction.

Some modes allow gestures and movements to be traced or remembered over time, creating evolving relationships between physical movement and sonic response. Despite its unusual behaviour, ENIGMA itself contains no randomness in the interface system — identical object placement and movement under identical conditions will always produce identical sonic results.

Different musicians may arrive at completely different understandings of the instrument and uncover entirely different approaches to playing it.

Metallic Object Sensing Interface

Highly sensitive conductive object detection system
Detects metal objects placed on the surface or up to 20mm above it
Compatible with virtually any conductive metallic object
Sound changes according to:
Object shape
Material
Size
Spatial arrangement
Movement
Fractional millimetre movement can significantly alter the sound
Eight touch sensors for switching between operational states and perceptual modes

MIDI & Clock Synchronisation

In supported modes, ENIGMA recognises:

MIDI Clock
MIDI Start
MIDI Stop
MIDI Continue
MIDI Notes
MIDI Pitch Bend

Additional behaviour includes:

MIDI receive channel automatically assigned from the first incoming MIDI note after power-up
MIDI channel assignment is not retained after power-off
CV clock input supported in clock-enabled modes
CV clock takes priority when both CV and MIDI clock are present simultaneously

Silence as Zero

ENIGMA is calibrated at the factory for stable operation and is designed to remain silent when no metallic objects are present on the sensing surface.

Environmental conditions may occasionally require recalibration. If sound is produced while the surface is empty, a zero calibration procedure can be performed to restore proper operation.

Memory Behaviour

The touch sensor states controlling operating modes are temporarily retained after power-off for several days before resetting automatically.

The dedicated SOUND ON touch sensor determines whether audio output is active. On startup, SOUND ON is always disabled until manually activated.

Features

Experimental synthesizer with unconventional synthesis and sensing architecture
Conductive metallic object control interface
Highly sensitive positional and proximity detection
Eight touch-sensitive mode controls
Gesture tracing and temporal memory behaviour in selected modes
MIDI clock and note support
CV clock synchronisation
Deterministic interface response with no randomness
Designed for exploratory sound creation and performance

Specifications

| Specification | Details | |---|---| | Power Supply | DC +12V, centre positive | | Current Consumption | 100mA | | CV Clock Input Range | 3.3V - 20V | | Maximum Line Output Signal | 18V peak-to-peak | | Dimensions | 340 × 320 × 40 mm | | Weight | 2kg |

Includes DC +12V C+ power adapter.
Artefacts for performance are not included.