SOMA - Pulsar-23 (Screw Version) (Rusty)

SOMA presents a special "Rusting SOMA" limited-edition of the PULSAR-23 in a unique brushed chrome housing.

The PULSAR-23 shatters conventional thinking around what a drum machine should be. This is Vlad Kreimer's vision of rhythm as a biological process — and in their words — an “organismic” approach where 23 independent modules interact like cells in a living system. Audio becomes control voltage and vice versa, with all signals sharing the same 0-10V range, creating behaviors so complex and organic that PULSAR-23 almost seems fitted with a consciousness of its own.

The four sound generators (bass drum, bass/percussion, snare drum, and hi-hat/cymbal) are chameleons by design. Why? — Their envelope generators can sustain, turning what might be a kick into a throbbing drone or a hi-hat into a sheet of noise. Short touches create percussive hits; longer holds transform into sustained drones. Your drum pattern can suddenly blossom into atmospheric soundscapes with just a change in playing technique.

PULSAR-23 features a special patching system that uses 119 vertical pins and alligator clips instead of standard patch cables. This ingenious solution not only saves space but enables multiple connections to one point and, fascinatingly, allows your body's conductivity to become part of the circuit. Touch different pins with your fingers, and you become part of the signal path. The resistance of your skin creates intuitive modulation control based on pressure - not just patching, but a sort of "communion" with the instrument :)

Instead of a conventional sequencer, PULSAR uses four independent looper-recorders that capture your interactions with the touch sensors. Additional modules like the SHAOS pseudo-random generator and a dual-channel effects processor with DSP clock rate modulation expand the sound design possibilities well beyond traditional percussion. Despite its experimental nature, the module remains practical with MIDI control, Eurorack compatibility, and comprehensive I/O options.

The PULSAR-23 is really quite a unique machine, you'll immediately understand what we mean by that once you get a chance to test it out for yourself. Interacting with it can be purely standalone, driven by MIDI (with a nifty 'learn' function), or fully integrated into a larger CV setup. All these modes can, of course, intermingle. It’s this free-flow of signals and interactions that truly defines its character. If traditional drum machines are like well-ordered symphonies, the Pulsar-23 is more akin to a vibrant, improvisational jazz ensemble where every player is acutely listening and reacting to the others. It’s a journey into sound that’s as much about discovery as it is about composition. All in all — a highly unique and special machine!

Features:

• Four distinct sound generators (Bass Drum, Bass/Percussion, Snare Drum, Hi-Hat/Cymbal)
• Four envelope generators with sustain recognition that transform percussion into drones
• Four independent looper-recorders with variable playback speeds
• Clock generator with dividers for rhythmic pattern creation
• SHAOS pseudo-random generator based on shift registers
• Two-channel effects processor with unique DSP clock rate modulation
• 119 patch points using innovative alligator clip system
• Body conductivity patching for intuitive circuit manipulation
• MIDI control with velocity sensitivity and MIDI clock sync
• Four-channel MIDI to CV converter
• Eurorack compatible I/O (0-10V range, protected against overloads)
• Stereo headphone output and main mono output
• Six assignable 1/4" jacks and eight assignable 3.5mm mini-jacks
• Includes 30 alligator clip patch cables, power supply, and protective bag