SOMA Pulsar 23, User Manual

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PULSAR • 23 USER MANUAL
a sequencer and an editor based on a personal computer. Therefore, if you need precise
control over each beat, we suggest using a computer sequencer (Cubase, Ableton, Protools
etc.) connected to the Pulsar via the MIDI interface. Rather, the capabilities of LR are con-
centrated on high quality and making live performances more convenient. To achieve this,
data processing and storage are carried out with a resolution that significantly exceeds
standard requirements. For example, the frequency of polling sensors and outputting a sig-
nal to sound-synthesizing modules is 110 kHz, which is 2.5 times higher than the standard
frequency of digital audio and 36 (!) times higher than the MIDI frequency interface. The
recording resolution is 96 events per pulse of the clock signal, which for a standard situation
is 192 events per sixteenth note. In combination with the author's analog circuitry of ca-
pacitive sensors, providing a response time of 0.01 milliseconds, this gives Pulsar an almost
instantaneous response to touching the sensor and a full-fledged “live” playing experience,
characteristic of acoustic instruments.
It is also worth noting that the LR architecture allows you to record the duration of notes
and dynamic changes within a single note arising from manipulations with REC.CONT
sensors.
The speed of the virtual LR tape is determined by the frequency of the incoming clock. The
loop length is fixed and equal to 128 clock pulses. However, the loop length can be made
shorter if a forced restart of the LR is done more than once for 128 clock pulses. This will be
described in detail below, when explaining the LRST function. One clock pulse is a 32nd note
(1/32 of measure). To ensure a high resolution of the recording, LR upsamples the incoming
clock, multiplying its frequency 96 times. The upsampling procedure imposes certain spe-
cifics on the LR operation. In particular, if you want to modulate or change the clock during
performance and at the same time preserve the synchronization of the LR and the dividers,
you must use the synchronization pin LRST, which will be described below.
By default, the clock for LR is taken from the internal clock generator, which can either work
independently or receive a MIDI clock (selected by the INT MIDI switch).
The Pulsar's LR has four independent channels (one for each sound generator), each of which
has its own independent memory and can have its own independent clock. This provides
a unique opportunity to play various LR channels at different speeds, creating complex
rhythmic patterns and going beyond repeating patterns. An individual clock is fed to the
CLK pins (see below).
Control the LR by using the capacitive sensors that are triggered by the touch of a finger
or any conductive object that has sufficient capacity.
LR memory is volatile. When the Pulsar is turned off, the contents of the memory are reset. It
is not possible to upload the contents of LR into external memory or download data into LR.
ADD
sensors
— Add notes to LR loops. Unlike most drum machines, Pulsar recognizes and
records not only the start time of a note, but also its length, which blurs the line between
the synthesis of percussion sounds and ordinary synthesis, allowing you to make a smooth
transition from rhythmic parts to noise and drone soundscapes.
If the REC PLAY switch is in the REC position, ADD will operate in overdub mode, i.e. new
notes will be superimposed on already recorded notes. The velocity of recorded notes can
be determined by the sensors L (low) and M (middle). By default, the velocity of recorded
notes is maximum.
If the REC PLAY switch is in PLAY mode, touching the ADD sensor will play notes on top of
those recorded in the LR, but the contents of the loop will not change.
If the REC PLAY switch is in the middle position (MUTE) or the clock is stopped, the ADD
sensor will simply trigger the corresponding sound generator.