Synterra | Bio-Interactive Generative Synthesizer | Standalone
*** This product is currently available for pre-order. The first shipments are scheduled to begin in September.***
**Thank you very much for your overwhelming interest in Synterra! We have now reached the production capacity planned for the first deliveries in September. New orders placed from August 15 onward will be delivered in October at the regular retail price. Thank you once again for your support.**
VAEMI Synterra - A Generative Instrument That Transforms Environmental Data into Music
VAEMI Synterra is a portable, performance-oriented generative instrument that transforms electrical changes from the organic and inorganic world into musical data.
Changes found in plants, fungi, fruits, the human body, water, soil, wood, metal, and other conductive surfaces can become part of Synterra’s musical system. Alongside its two copper probe areas and 3.5 mm sensor input, the built-in LDR can use light and shadow, while the conductive touch area turns physical interaction into another data source. These inputs can be used simultaneously.
At every startup, Synterra detects the surrounding electromagnetic field through its internal coil. This data creates an environment-specific reference that influences the initial note distribution and timing behavior.
Detected variations are processed through probability and quantizer systems, then organized musically within the selected scale. Eight scales, adjustable 1-5 voice polyphony, and a selectable 1-5 octave range keep the generative structure tonal, layered, and controllable. MIDI notes can also be transposed from -12 to +12 semitones.
The internal sound engine features 9 synth patches combining wavetable, FM, Karplus-Strong, resonance, drone, percussive, noise, and glitch characteristics. These are joined by 10 onboard effects, including Stutter, Random Stutter, Delay Throw, Bit Crusher, two-directional Pitch Shift, Controlled Chaos, and Filter Sweep. Tempo-based effects can automatically synchronize with USB MIDI Clock.
The Hold and Trigger system allows the free-flowing generative structure to be controlled rhythmically. Notes can be triggered from the panel, an external clock/gate signal, or MIDI. Appropriately leveled audio and piezo signals can also be used as event sources through the Trigger input; it is not an audio-processing input.
Synterra can receive and transmit notes and control data via USB MIDI, while DIN MIDI OUT can control external synthesizers, drum machines, grooveboxes, and MIDI-to-CV systems. In Note Mode, external MIDI notes define the harmonic boundaries of the generative system. In Full MIDI Mode, the generative system is disabled and the internal sound engine can be played directly with a MIDI keyboard or sequencer.
Generative and inverted sensor data, the note values produced by each voice, and their Note On/Off states can be transmitted as separate MIDI CC messages. Synterra can therefore operate as a standalone instrument, a generative MIDI source, or a control center for software synthesizers, effects, visual systems, and installations.
Powered via USB or 3 AA batteries, Synterra can be used in the studio, on stage, outdoors, or in long-running installations without a computer. USB carries power and MIDI through a single cable, while the internal sound engine connects to headphones, speakers, mixers, or sound systems through its 3.5 mm stereo output.
Synterra brings environmental data, algorithmic composition, live performance, and synthesizer design together in one instrument. The user can guide the system and define its boundaries, while the resulting music remains alive, evolving, and open to exploration.
General Features
Sensors and Data Sources
- Interaction with organic and inorganic materials
- Data acquisition from plants, fungi, fruits, the human body, and conductive surfaces
- Two copper probe connection areas
- 3.5 mm input for alternative sensors
- Switchable built-in LDR for light and shadow changes
- Conductive touch area on the panel
- Simultaneous use of probes, sensor input, LDR, and touch area
- * Internal coil detecting environmental EMF data at startup
Generative Music System
- Time-based analysis of electrical resistance and light changes
- Event detection emphasizing changing data
- Probability-based note, timing, and voice distribution
- Continuously active quantizer
- 8 scales: Major, min7, Maj (no4), min9, Blues, Hijaz, Whole Tone, and Chromatic
- Amount control for generative intensity and event frequency
- Sensitivity control for input response
- Two basic speed behaviors
- Adjustable 1-5 voice polyphony
- Adjustable 1-5 octave note range
- MIDI note transposition from -12 to +12 semitones
Internal Sound Engine and Effects
- 5-voice polyphonic digital synth engine
- 9 different synth patches
- Wavetable, FM, and Karplus-Strong synthesis
- Resonance, drone, percussive, noise, and glitch characteristics
- 3.5 mm stereo audio output with independent volume control
- 10 onboard effects:
- Stutter 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16
- Random Stutter 1/16, 1/32, and 1/24
- Delay Throw
- 8 → 7 → 6-bit Crusher
- Two-octave downward/upward Pitch Shift
- Controlled Chaos
- 0.25 Hz Filter Sweep
- Momentary operation for the first four effects; toggle operation for the other six
- Up to two toggle effects can be used simultaneously
- USB MIDI Clock synchronization for tempo-based effects
- Automatic response to MIDI Start, Stop, and BPM changes
Hold, Trigger, and MIDI
- Free-flowing generative operation and trigger-based Hold Mode
- Manual Trigger button
- 3.5 mm Trigger input for external clock/gate, approximately 10 V maximum
- Hold Trigger control via MIDI note C0
- Appropriately leveled audio, microphone, piezo, and drum-loop signals as trigger/event sources only
- USB MIDI input/output and DIN MIDI OUT
- Simultaneous USB and DIN MIDI outputs
- MIDI channel selection from 1 to 16 via DIP switches
- Note Mode for defining harmonic boundaries through external MIDI
- Full MIDI Mode for directly playing the internal synth engine
- Stepped 1-5 polyphony selection via MIDI note B-1
- Amount control via CC1 and Octave control via CC22
- Generative data output via CC14 and inverted data via CC15
- Individual note-value outputs for five voices via CC16-20
- Individual Note On/Off state outputs via CC23-27
- Integration with DAWs, software synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, grooveboxes, and MIDI-to-CV systems
Power and Portability
- 5 V USB power or 3 AA batteries
- Automatic USB priority when USB and batteries are connected
- Typical power consumption of approximately 60 mA
- Standalone operation without a computer
- Portable design for studio, stage, outdoor, and installation use
- Dimensions: 82.2 × 142.2 × 70 mm
- Synterra features a custom-made acrylic enclosure.
Audio Demo
https://youtu.be/fOjE7Qv20Rw
What Is Synterra? : VAEMI’s New Instrument
Synterra: VAEMI’s New Generative Instrument – Full Features