We've been quite excited about this one, since we saw it at Superbooth last year where it kind of stole the show. Another unusual, outside the box design from Vlad Kreimer, but this time there's a bit more standardization - it has MIDI, CV, Gate.

We're just having an aerial view of this before we get stuck into the main review - there's a lot to see, but in summary:

• 4 drum channels: Bass drum, Bass/Percussion, Snare drum, Cymbals/Hi-Hat
• 4 envelope generators with the unique ability to generate a sustain for the drum channels, turning them into noisedrone synthesizers.
• 4 independent loop recorders with the option for individual clocking. They record triggering events, not audio.
• Clock generator with an array of dividers as a very powerful tool for rhythm synthesis.
• Wide range LFO (0.1 - 5000Hz) with variable waveform.
• Shaos - a unique pseudo-random generator based on shift registers with 4 independent outputs, sample and hold and other cool features.
• FX processor with CV control incl. CV control of the entire DSP’s sample rate.
• Distortion.
• 2 CV-controlled gates.
• 2 CV-controlled VCAs.
• 2 controllable inverters.

Triggering on the unit is handled by the same metal pads we saw on the Lyra8 (see our review).

Anyhow, we'll crack on with the review.

FYI, the Pulsar-23 is now shipping, although there is a considerable backlog of orders, so if you are tempted, worth checking before you drop the $$. Price is €1500 so its not a low cost item, but its built extremely solidly.

More Information

• https://somasynths.com/pulsar-23/

• Alternative Manual For Pulsar-23 19-Jul-22
• Exploring The SOMA Pulsar-23 Filters 10-Apr-22
• Sonic Lab: Soma Rumble Of Ancient Times 30-Mar-22
• Sonic LAB: Soma Cosmos - Drifting Memory Station 03-Sep-21
• First Sounds From The New Soma Labs Pulsar 23 Drum Machine 14-Jun-18