Published
Sun, Sep 10, 2023, 12:00
- FLUX is played by waving two magnetic pegs through the air.
Synth company SOMA has unveiled an unusual new synth.
Like the Theremin, an early electronic instrument invented in the 1920s, SOMA's FLUX is played without touching it. It's controlled using two magnetic "bows," held one in each hand. Sensors register the bows' positions and movements, with the right hand controlling pitch and volume and the left hand controlling the synth's parameters.
Tilting the right hand changes the octave, which allows a range of six continuous octaves without transposing the keyboard. The left hand's movements are registered in three dimensions plus tilt, allowing you to control four different tone parameters at the same time just by gesturing.
In terms of sound generation, SOMA says "different synthesis algorithms (engines) will be created as complete musical instruments for direct timbral control. All engines will be available in a single firmware and any engine can be launched in a fraction of a second."
This means the synth will be digital and you'll be able to call up a range of different sounds to control with the FLUX interface. SOMA says FLUX "works in monophonic, duophonic and polyphonic modes" though it's unclear how you would be able to trigger multiple notes at the same time using a bow.
Watch a demo of FLUX.
FLUX is still under development. No price information has been shared but SOMA says it hope to start selling the synth in late 2024.