Soma Laboratory Pulsar-23 Screw - Mint Light Green.
The Soma Pulsar-23 Screw Analogue Drum Machine (Mint Green) is a cost-effective alternative to the Pulsar Turret, offering the same functionality but at a lower price by using stainless steel screws instead of custom turrets.
This version retains all the core features of the Pulsar Turret but with a focus on affordability. An optional soft case, not included as standard, further reduces the base price.
Ingenious Design and Versatility
With its semi-modular design, the Soma Pulsar-23 redefines analogue drum machines. It is usable without patching and offers extensive connectivity for sonic and rhythmic exploration.
Unique Connectivity
The Pulsar-23 employs alligator clips and binding posts instead of traditional cables for connections. This flexible system allows multiple cables per post and encourages tactile interaction. Binding posts can function as inputs and outputs, automatically blending multiple signals for complex rhythmic relationships, dubbed "Organismic" by the designer.
Powerful Voicings
The Pulsar-23 features four distinct voices:
- Bass Drum (BD): Designed for analogue bass drums with Pitch, Tune, and Drive controls.
- Bass: A subtractive mono synth section with waveform selection and low-pass filter, transformable into percussion.
- Snare Drum (SD): Tailored for snare drums and claps, with band-pass filter and clap control.
- High Hat (HHT): Utilises white noise and a high-pass filter for tonal control.
Each voice includes Attack and Decay parameters and independent binding posts for modulation. FX controls assign voices to DSP Reverb and Delay sections, and the master distortion module adds Drive and Mix control for sound shaping.
Innovative Sequencer
The Pulsar-23 sequencer, inspired by tape loops, records sound events based on start time and length, offering high-resolution loops. Each voice has its rhythmic quantiser for grid synchronisation. Internal memory stores four banks of four sequences.
Advanced MIDI Integration
MIDI integration assigns messages to drum parameters, and the Bass voice supports complete MIDI control with pitch tracking. External clocking through MIDI and analogue clocks allows seamless synchronisation, with seven clock divisions for versatile triggering and modulation.
SHAOS Module
The SHAOS module adds unpredictability with a pseudo-random voltage generator. It offers three modes (1-bit, 2-bit, 3-bit) and selectable sequencer lengths (63, 16, or 217 modes).
Extensive Utilities
The Pulsar-23 includes four attenuators, a VCA for audio and CV signals, 1/8" "and 1/4" "to binding post adapters for modular integration, CV-controllable inverters, gate-controlled switches, and triggered impulse generators.
