The Soma Laboratory Pulsar-23: 1984 Edition is a limited reimagining of SOMA's already uncompromising semi-modular drum machine and organismic rhythm instrument. Developed in collaboration with California synth boutique The Midium® and engineer Noah Jolly, the 1984 Edition goes beyond cosmetic changes with substantial internal redesigns aimed at pushing the Pulsar platform into even more aggressive and unstable territory.

Bare metal, red lights, angry.

The most significant changes centre around the Bass Drum and Bass sections, both extensively redesigned for heavier impact, expanded modulation capability, and a more volatile analogue character.

Redesigned Bass Drum Module

The Bass Drum module has been completely reworked around a new oscillator design producing an asymmetrically clipped triangle waveform capable of being driven into square-wave territory via the Drive control.

Compared to the standard Pulsar-23 Bass Drum, the 1984 Edition delivers: - Harder and more aggressive transients - Expanded tuning range - Increased saturation and harmonic density - More extreme tonal shaping possibilities

The OMG pin has also been redesigned as an AC-coupled FM input, opening up more advanced frequency modulation and experimental patching possibilities.

New Polivoks-Inspired Bass Filter

The Bass section now incorporates a redesigned analogue filter inspired by the legendary Soviet Polivoks synthesizer.

The result is: - Rawer tonal behaviour - More unstable resonance - Aggressive harmonic response - Increased unpredictability and movement

Rather than smoothing the sound, the new filter pushes the Pulsar further into abrasive, unstable, and highly animated analogue territory.

As SOMA US Division head Kevin Flynn described it:

“We wanted to see how far we could push the PULSAR-23 platform.”

Features

• Limited edition version of the SOMA Pulsar-23
• Developed with The Midium® and Noah Jolly
• Redesigned Bass Drum circuit
• New asymmetrically clipped triangle oscillator
• Drive control capable of square-wave saturation
• Expanded Bass Drum tuning range
• AC-coupled FM input on OMG pin
• New Polivoks-inspired analogue filter in Bass section
• More aggressive and unstable analogue response
• User-swappable original Bass Drum module included
• Includes black soft case
• Fully compatible with the Pulsar-23 patching ecosystem

Designed For

• Experimental rhythm programming
• Aggressive analogue percussion
• Semi-modular performance setups
• Noise and industrial production
• Improvised electronic music
• Advanced analogue patching
• Unstable and organic rhythmic systems
• Live performance and exploratory sound design

Includes Original Bass Drum Module

Each 1984 Edition also includes: - A user-swappable original Pulsar-23 Bass Drum module - Black soft carrying case

This allows users to alternate between the standard Pulsar Bass Drum circuit and the redesigned 1984 version depending on the desired sound and workflow.

Video: https://youtu.be/UdHGpm2B4cg

Product Specs

• Item Number: 37055
• Make: Soma Laboratory
• Model: Pulsar-23: 1984 Turret
• Condition: Brand New
• Finish: Silver
• Categories: keyboards-and-synths ⇒ drum-machines
• Function: Drum
• Made In: Poland
• MPN: SOM-P-23-S-1984
• Modular Grid: Pedals ⓘ ＋
• Dimensions*: 380 mm wide 280 mm high
• Power*: 300 mA / 12 V AC/DC / Positive Center

* User contributed details