Synterra | Bio-Interactive Generative Synthesizer | Standalone
**Orders placed in October will be delivered after October 15.**
VAEMI Synterra - A Generative Instrument That Transforms Environmental Data into Music
VAEMI Synterra is a portable generative instrument that transforms electrical changes in the organic and inorganic world into musical data.
Changes in plants, fungi, fruits, the human body, water, soil, wood, metal, and conductive surfaces can be incorporated into Synterra’s musical system. Alongside two copper probe areas and a 3.5 mm sensor input, the built-in LDR turns light and shadows into data sources, while the conductive area on the panel does the same for touch.Each time it powers on, Synterra senses the electromagnetic field around it through its built-in coil. This data establishes an environment-specific reference that influences the initial note distribution and timing.
The detected changes are processed through probability and quantizer systems and organized within the selected scale. With eight scales, 1–5-voice polyphony, and a note range of 1–5 octaves, the generative structure remains tonal and controllable. MIDI notes can be transposed between -12 and +12 semitones.The built-in sound engine features 9 synth patches combining wavetable, FM, Karplus-Strong, resonance, drone, percussive, noise, and glitch characteristics. These are accompanied by 10 onboard effects, including Stutter, Random Stutter, Delay Throw, Bit Crusher, bidirectional Pitch Shift, Controlled Chaos, and Filter Sweep. Tempo-based effects can synchronize with USB MIDI Clock.
The Hold and Trigger system provides rhythmic control over the generative structure. Notes can be triggered using the button on the panel, an external clock/gate signal, or MIDI. The Trigger input can use audio and piezo signals at suitable levels as event sources; it is not an audio processing input.
Synterra can send and receive note and control data over USB MIDI; it can control external synthesizers, drum machines, grooveboxes, and MIDI-to-CV systems through DIN MIDI OUT. In Note Mode, external MIDI notes define the harmonic boundaries of the generative system. In Full MIDI Mode, the generative structure is disabled, and the built-in sound engine is played using a MIDI keyboard or sequencer.
Generative and inverted sensor data, the note values of each voice, and Note On/Off states can be sent as separate MIDI CC messages. This allows Synterra to serve as an independent instrument, a generative MIDI source, or a control center for software synthesizers, effects, visual systems, and installations.
Powered by USB or 3 AA batteries, Synterra can be used without a computer in the studio, on stage, in nature, and in installations. The USB connection carries power and MIDI through the same cable; the built-in sound engine connects to headphones, speakers, a mixer, or a sound system through the 3.5 mm stereo output.
Synterra brings together environmental data, algorithmic composition, live performance, and synthesizer design. The user guides the system and defines its boundaries; the resulting music remains alive, variable, 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
- Built-in LDR for light and shadow that can be switched on and off
- Touch-sensitive conductive area on the panel
- Ability to use the probes, sensor input, LDR, and touch-sensitive area together
- Built-in coil that senses environmental EMF data at startup
Generative Music System
- Time-based analysis of changes in electrical resistance and light
- Event detection that emphasizes 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
- Control of generative density and event frequency with Amount
- Input sensitivity control with Sensitivity
- Two basic speed behaviors
- 1–5-voice polyphony
- 1–5-octave note range
- -12/+12-semitone transposition for MIDI notes
Built-in 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 and independent volume control
- 10 onboard effects: Stutter - Random Stutter - Delay Throw - Bit Crusher - Pitch Shift - Controlled Chaos - Filter Sweep
- The first four effects operate in momentary mode, while the other six operate in toggle mode
- Two toggle effects can be used simultaneously
- USB MIDI Clock synchronization for tempo-based effects
- Automatic following of MIDI Start, Stop, and BPM changes
Hold, Trigger, and MIDI
- Free-running generative operation and triggered Hold mode
- Manual Trigger button
- 3.5 mm Trigger input for external clock/gate
- Hold Trigger control via MIDI C0
- Ability to use audio, microphone, piezo, and drum loop signals at suitable levels solely as event/trigger sources
- USB MIDI input/output and DIN MIDI OUT
- Ability to use USB and DIN MIDI outputs simultaneously
- MIDI channel selection from 1–16 via DIP switch
- Integration with DAWs, software synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, grooveboxes, and MIDI-to-CV systems
Power and Portability
- 5 V power via USB or 3 AA batteries
- Automatic USB priority when both USB and batteries are connected
- Typical current consumption of approximately 60 mA
- Standalone operation without a computer
- Portable design suitable for the studio, stage, outdoor settings, and installations
- Dimensions: 82.2 × 142.2 × 70 mm
Synterra features a custom-made acrylic enclosure.
A Hidden Composition
Hidden inside Synterra is the unreleased composition Under Pale Light by Tunç Çakır, VAEMI co-founder and one of the instrument’s co-designers. Activated by a special button combination, this Easter egg temporarily disables the generative system and plays the composition’s sequencer data, consisting of bass, polysynth, and lead parts, in real time through the built-in sound engine. The piece is not a WAV or MP3 recording; it comes to life solely through Synterra’s own synthesis engine. Under Pale Light is not released through conventional channels; the only way to hear the piece is to explore Synterra.
Synterra : Video Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV2WwnhtOW4&list=PLDEsuvvZR-XI
Synterra Firmware v43.3.15 and Update Manual
VAEMI Synterra Control Max for Live
Synterra : Easter Egg : Tunc Cakir - Under Pale Light : Manual EN / TR