SOMA TERRA User manual

USER
MANUAL

TERRA USER MANUAL
2
CONTENTS
GENERAL OVERVIEW .................................................... 3
MAIN FEATURES ........................................................ 4
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT TERRA'S SENSORS ............................... 6
CONNECTING TERRA .................................................... 7
THE INTERFACE......................................................... 8
PLAYING TERRA ....................................................... 11
DESCRIPTION OF FUNCTIONS ............................................ 13
DESCRIPTION OF THE SYNTHESIS ALGORITHMS ............................. 26
TABLES .............................................................. 59
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS ........................................... 61
CREDITS ............................................................. 62

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GENERAL OVERVIEW
WHAT IS TERRA?
TERRA is a multifaceted polyphonic, microtonal, digital synthesizer with vast unusual
capabilities and approaches. It features a unique and ultra-minimalist interface and design
using natural materials and forms. TERRA explores new principles for building musical
instruments and innovative ways for interacting with them.
THE CONCEPT
TERRA was born in search of a balance, a golden mean between polar opposites such as
broad possibilities vs. simplicity, and technology vs. nature.
The primary aim of developing TERRA was to enable musicians to create complex, fluid
musical parts, timbres and textures, using an immediate intuitive performance instead of
a long exhausting programming and editing session. TERRA allows you to largely sculpt a
timbre on-the-spot, using control of timbre as an expressive device.
TERRA is our exploration, our vision of a perfect relationship between human being and
machine. When you interact with TERRA, it makes you free to focus on your emotions,
to remain completely present in the moment, and thereby staying in touch with yourself,
connected to your spirit and your roots.
The solid-wooden enclosure with smooth natural contours, as well as the special semi-
spheric metal controls, feel very pleasant to the touch, resonating with our instinctive sense
of harmony.
Playing TERRA is an immersive journey,a meditation, an intimate interaction. All the functions
and capabilities are within a few finger touches. There is no menu diving or scrolling through
different pages. The extremely simple and ergonomic interface keeps you relaxed and fresh,
letting you focus all your energy and inspiration on creating.
It’s a complete, stand-alone performance instrument for live and studio use. TERRA is a
reliable foundation for your performance, and a friend to help you explore the infinity of art
and share your soul's treasures through music.

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MAIN FEATURES
Ð A unique microtonal keyboard consisting of twelve dynamic semi-spheric metal sensors,
and a Pitch Shifter transposing the notes played into sixteen intervals. This gives you a
range of 120 semitones with a step of 0.8 cents, with an ability to instantly transition
around the entire range. Unique keyboard ergonomics allow for very different touches
and techniques than those used on a piano. This in turn inspires new approaches to
composing and performing.
ÐEach of the twelve sensors and sixteen Pitch Shifter positions can be individually tuned
in semitone steps or microtonally. The whole keyboard can be transposed in octave or
semitone steps. That enables you to create your own microtonal scales or microtonal
pitch shifting systems. Those can be saved to memory. Up to 96 scales and 24 pitch
shifting sets can be saved.
ÐTERRA has a master-tuning control with a range of +/- 1 semitone.
ÐTERRA's sensors are velocity- and pressure-sensitive, which gives you direct control of
envelope and timbre, as well as glissandi. You can play sharp and short plucks, or long
attacks and sustains, or use portamenti—all without changing the instrument settings.
With TERRA, many of the parameters which are usually automatically controlled, are
now directly in the musician's hands. All of which allows for unique expressive options
not found in conventional synths.
Ð In addition to the twelve pitch control sensors, TERRA has four dynamic sensors
for controlling timbres, modulations and various synthesis parameters. The sensors'
ergonomics allow you to control all four parameters simultaneously — unlike the usual
knob-wheel-slider interfaces where you need a whole hand to tweak one controller.
ÐInstead of a traditional display, TERRA has a minimalist Triangular Indicator-Controller
using six sensor-indicators.
ÐTERRA features a custom all-digital architecture synthesis, which builds on a complex
hybrid of FM, additive, subtractive synthesis with elements of physical modeling and
a range of special innovations. The synthesis and processing are high-resolution
32-bit floating-point quality. The digital signal processing contains tube-amp emulations
taken from actual vintage devices.
Ð TERRA contains 32 unique synthesis algorithms, each of which forms a complete
performance-ready instrument. The timbre and synthesis control involves the four
sensors, four knobs and the Triangular Indicator-Controller that derives up to 64
variations for each synthesis algorithm. The functions of each sensor,knob and Triangular
Indicator-Controller element for each algorithm are pre-set and cannot be changed.
Ð1 to 12 voice polyphony, depending on the algorithm.
Ð A built-in Gyroscope, turning the slightest physical motion of the instrument into
synthesis parameters modulation.
ÐTERRA has an effect processor with Echo and Reverb modes, controlled by two knobs
and one sensor switch.

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ÐAll key and synthesis settings can be stored to presets. There are 6 preset banks with
16presets in each — a total of 96 presets. Loading a preset is very fast, pressing a
special sensor and one of the keyboard's sensors. That allows changing presets on-
the-fly, usable as an artistic device.
ÐPresets and other adjustments can be saved to and loaded from a USB Flash drive.
Ð Some of the algorithms have a rhythmic LFO and an arpeggiator,their tempo controllable
by rotating a knob, tapping on a sensor, or external MIDI/CV-clock synchronization.
You can use the Triangular Indicator-Controller to change the amount multiplying the
tempo: 1, 3/2, 2. That allows using a fast change of LFO or arpeggiator tempo as a
musical device. The LFO has 8 waveforms, and the arpeggiator12 motion patterns. As a
unique feature, the arpeggiatoris controlled by the LFO, forming the sound's envelope.
All 8 of the LFO waveforms are available for this, for a total of 96 arpeggiator patterns.
ÐTERRA has a MIDI output, allowing the use of its interface as MIDI controller for other
synths and MIDI devices.
There are three MIDI modes available:
1. All 16 sensors send CC messages and are used as CC MIDI controllers. The Gyroscope
sends pitchbender messages.
2. The 4 timbre-control sensors send CC messages and are used as CC MIDI controllers.
The 12 note-control sensors send note on/off messages including velocity. The pitch
of the notes sent is controlled by the keyboard and Pitch Shifter settings and conveys
the original performance on TERRA without the microtonal component. The Gyroscope
sends pitchbender messages.
3. MPE mode. Same as Mode 2, but with the microtonal component included, and
continually sending each note sensor's state as CC messages.
ÐTERRA can be synched to an external MIDI clock, but there is no way to control TERRA
via external MIDI due to how radically different and more complex TERRA's synthesis
control is. It’s a constant and multilayered high-resolution data stream, conveying
the smallest motion of a finger. Confining that unique synthesis to a cage of on/off
MIDI messages would kill 70% of TERRA's charm, and even MPE wouldn't help. So we
dropped that idea.
Ð The sound is converted to analog by a high-quality Burr-Brown D/A converter. Its
analog part is built on discrete components using a unique circuit with NOS germanium
transistors. The output stage works in class A.
ÐAll of this gives TERRA its uniquely warm and detailed sound, perfect for both on stage
and in the mix.
ÐThe controls are metallic sensors with a virtually infinite service life.
ÐTERRA's body is made of high-grade solid woods, brass and steel. The construction is
as convenient in your lap as it is on a table.
ÐTERRA's software can be updated via USB Flash Drive.

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IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT TERRA'S SENSORS
TERRA's dynamic sensors (sixteen large brass sensors) are covered in a special thin lacquer
necessary to correctly register capacitance. It's a durable lacquer, but can still be damaged
with improper use. Please use TERRA only as instructed below.
Please don't touch or play the sensors with any hard items or materials — use only
the soft parts of your hands and fingers! Otherwise you can damage the lacquer
and cause the sensor to work incorrectly. Rings, chains, bracelets can all do damage,
so please be careful when wearing jewelry.
Please don't connect any devices, contacts or wires to TERRA's sensors! Firstly,
it's useless, because the sensors are not controllable by external devices — they work on
different principles. Secondly, it can damage the sensor.
The sensor is to be controlled only by fingers (or other soft, living body parts) and
nothing else!
However, if a sensor gets damaged — e.g. the lacquer on a dynamic sensor got scratched
off—it's easily replaceable by the user. Just take off the back cover of TERRA and unscrew
the easily-accessible screw holding the sensor. You can buy replacement sensors from us:
[email protected]om
A small scratch or damage on the lacquer is user-fixable by applying quality colorless
nail-polish. Lacquer is considered damaged when metal is exposed.
TERRA's sensors are very sensitive. Therefore, for their correct operation (without
interference), the TERRA circuit must be grounded! This usually happens automatically
when connected to a mixer or amplifier. However, in some cases it may be necessary to do
this manually. In particularly difficult conditions, such as at concerts with ungrounded or
partially defective equipment, you can solve the problem by connecting your body to the
ground of TERRA. This can be done by putting a metal bracelet on your hand, connected
by a thin wire to the metal case of any 1/4 inch jack plug inserted into the TERRA outs.

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CONNECTING TERRA
1
12 volt DC input, 0.4A, "+" in the center, 5.5 x 2.1 mm; and the power switch connected
to it. TERRA comes with a high-quality power supply. In case of losing it, use a high-quality
modern switching power supply with corresponding parameters!
2
RIGHT CHANNEL line output TS/TRS 1/4 inch jack.
3
LEFT CHANNEL line output TS/TRS 1/4 inch jack.
Connecting only one jack to any of the two outputs activates a mono-output mode: the
output's stereo signal folds down into mono. The headphones output then also goes
mono.
TERRA’s outputs work with balanced connections.
4
Headphones output TRS 1/4 inch jack.
5
MIDI input, combined with a CV-clock input. To connect an external CV clock, use the
DIN5 (male) — 3.5 mini-jack (female) adapter included in the package. The CV-clock input
can receive positive impulses of 3 to 15 volts and is used for synchronization with external
devices such as step sequencers, Eurorack systems, or analog drum machines.
MIDI/CV-clock input wiring diagram
(MIDI socket viewed from the outside)
The input's wiring allows you to directly connect the
legendary Roland TR-series drum machines equipped with
a DIN SYNC connection.
The input is designed so that the CLOCK GROUND on the 2nd pin doesn't conflict with MIDI
Standard, because the signal is lifted from TERRA's ground by a special capacitor.
6
MIDI OUTPUT.
7
A USB PORT for connecting USB Flash Drive.No other devices allowed! There is no MIDI
over USB possible!
1 2 3 4 5 76
CLOCK +
CLOCK GROUND
MIDI –MIDI +
1 3
4 5
2

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THE INTERFACE
TERRA's interface can be divided into two zones—PLAY (lower part) and CONTROL (upper
part).
The PLAY zone includes:
1
The note keyboard, consisting of dynamic sensors 1-12 (hereafter 1-12). You can use
them to play notes, store and load presets, and to adjust the Pitch Shifter.
2
The parametric keyboard,consisting of dynamic sectors A, B, C, D(hereafter A-D). Use
these sensors to control the various synthesis parameters, and to store and load presets.
3
Pitch Shifter (hereafter < >). Use these four sensors to change the pitch of the
notes played on the note keyboard, and to adjust the note keyboard's sensors.
4
HOLD — a sensor-indicator for the parametric keyboard (hereafterH). Touching
this sensor creates a snapshot of the parametric keyboard's current state, which will then
be retained and summed with what you play on this keyboard. This sensor is also involved
in controlling TERRA's functions.
5
HOLD—a sensor-indicator for the note keyboard (hereafter I). Touching this sensor
creates a snapshot of the note keyboard, which will then be retained and summed with what
you play on this keyboard. This sensor is also involved in controlling TERRA's functions.
1
2
3
4
6
8
12 20
13 19
14 18
15 17
16
11
9 10
5
7

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6
Tuning sensor (the PITCHFORK sign,hereafter !).Activates tuning of various parameters:
individual tuning of the note keyboard's sensors, transposing the whole keyboard, master
tune of the synthesizer, choosing a preset tuning for the < >, and for setting up the
MIDI output. Also takes part in controlling a few other functions.
The CONTROL zone includes:
7
The Triangular Indicator-Controller (hereafter ?). Indicates and controls various
parameters and settings: preset bank, synthesis parameters,note sensor pitch settings, <
>settings, selecting a synthesis algorithm, setting the movement sensor's sensitivity,
master tuning, MIDI settings etc.
8
LOAD sensor (hereafter L). With this sensor held down, pressing one of the sensors
A-D, 1-12 will load the corresponding preset. Also while holding down LOAD, you can choose
a bank on ?.
9
SAVE sensor (hereafter S). With this sensor held down, pressing one of the sensors
A-D, 1-12 will save the current settings to the corresponding preset. Also with SAVE held
down, you can choose a bank on ?.
10
ENGINE sensor (hereafter E). Holding down this sensor, you can choose the synthesis
algorithm on.
11
GYROSCOPE, GRAVITATION sensor (hereafter G). Holding it down, you can use to
set the sensitivity of the movement sensor (the built-in accelerometer).
12
POWER sensor-indicator (hereafter @). The power indicator, and also a sensor that
interrupts release for the note and parametric keyboards.
13
A knob controlling the envelope release for the parametric keyboard (hereafter ().
14
A knob controlling the envelope release for the note keyboard (hereafter )).
15
The Sea knob, controlling a synthesis parameter of the Water domain (hereafter =).
16
The Sun knob, controlling a synthesis parameter of the Light domain (hereafter *).
17
The Volume knob (hereafter #).
18
The TIME parameter knob on the effects processor (hereafter /).
19
The MIX parameter knob on the effects processor (hereafter ").
20
The ECHO sensor-indicator (hereafter %).Controls the effects processor's mode.
Off for Reverb, On for ECHO.

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THE TRIANGULAR INDICATOR-CONTROLLER
Indicates and controls various TERRA settings depending on the interface's current mode.
If no function is activated (default, performance state) — the ? controls variations of the
current synthesis mode.
With Lor Spressed — selects the preset bank.
With Epressed — selects a synthesis algorithm.
With Gpressed — controls the Gyroscope's sensitivity.
With !pressed — indicates the pitch of the note sensor pressed.
With !+Hpressed — selects the < >'s preset.
With !+ Lpressed — master tuning of the synth.
With !+ L+Hpressed — selects the MIDI output mode.
In < > tuning mode — controls the tuning of a current switch combination.
In USB Flash Drive mode — selects a preset bank for loading or saving.
In Calibration mode — controls the calibration of TERRA's sensors.

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PLAYING TERRA
TERRA is an incredibly intuitive and user-friendly instrument to play, allowing for complex,
virtuoso parts played with minimal hand motions. It is the only electronic instrument with
an interface that is designed entirely around the anatomy of the human hand and its
natural range of motions. With acoustic instruments, their parameters are usually strictly
defined and limited by the necessary physical parameters of strings, horns, and membranes.
Traditional synths have either a piano keyboard, based on the piano's physical parameters, or
a rectangular array of buttons that are far from ergonomicin how they’re used and perceived.
TERRA's Play Zone is divided in two regions — left-hand and right-hand. The right hand
controls the note keyboard, but can also control the left part's sensors when necessary. The
left hand's index,middle, ring finger and the pinky control the parametric sensors.One finger
for each sensor. The left hand's thumb controls the Pitch Shifter and the HOLD sensors for
the parametric and note keyboards. If necessary, the left hand can also control the right
region's sensors. Both hands can quickly access knobs and sensors of the Control Zone. Try
and get used to such arrangement of hands and fingers. This is especially important for the
left hand, where every finger has a control function. This will help you achieve maximum
ease, expression and mastery when playing TERRA.
TERRA's dynamic sensors employ a capacitive principle for data capturing, using brass semi-
spheres covered in a thin transparent isolating material. The semi-sphere and a finger together
form a capacitor whose capacity depends on the size of the contact area. It is important to
note that it's the area of the contact—not the amount of pressure - that defines the degree
of the sensor’s activation. Because of the sensor's surface being semi-circular and a finger
being soft, the amount of pressure increases the contact area, which creates a familiar sense
of volume depending on the pressure. But it's only up until a certain point that the contact
area increases. And when further increasing of the pressure doesn't increase the contact
area anymore, there's no more increase in the sensor's activation either. This understanding
will make playing TERRA most conscious, effortless and expressive.
TERRA's keyboard is unique for its sensors recognizing a push as well as a hit, distinguishing
between them in most algorithms. This allows for wide options in controlling envelopes and
timbres by only varying your playing technique on the note sensors.

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TERRA is easiest to play in your lap. That way it's easiest to control modulation through
the built-in motion sensor — a Gyroscope— reacting to all your body motions. You can also
play TERRA on a table. We included special pads you put underneath TERRA in order to
still be able to expressively use the motion sensor, as shown in the picture below. This will
allow TERRA to move unhampered by the table or any other flat, hard surface you put it on.
To perform a vibrato using the motion sensor, put your palm on TERRA's body and shake it
sideways. Remember that the motion sensor is installed into the synth's body, so you have
to move the whole of TERRA's body, not just press a sensor sideways.

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DESCRIPTION OF FUNCTIONS
LOADING A PRESET
Holding down L(LOAD), choose one of the six banks on the ?, and press one of the sixteen
sensors A-D, 1-12. This loads one of 96 presets. This allows you to change presets very
quickly, even on-the-fly playing a part, using it as an artistic device.E.g. you can thus change
the scale or pitch of the note keyboard. If a preset loaded is based on the same ENGINE
(algorithm) as the one currently loaded into TERRA, the note decays will not be interrupted.
TERRA comes loaded with factory presets organized as follows:
Bank 1 — polyphonic sounds in the POLYPHONIC category. Polyphonic synthesis with a
traditional polyphonic keyboard.
Bank 2 — polyphonic sounds in the EXPERIMENTAL category. All sorts of experimental,
noise and percussive sounds. In most of these presets the keyboard works in an experimental
mode divided into three monophonic keyboards.
Bank 3 — monophonic sounds in the BASS category.
Bank 4 — monophonic sounds in the SOLO category.
The rest of the preset banks are empty. If a selected preset is empty, TERRA will indicate
that by ?blinking four times.
On loading a preset, the synthesis parameters assigned to the knobs receive their preset
values and get "frozen". You can "unfreeze" a parameter for manual control by rotating
a knob by at least 10%.
On TERRA powering up, the last preset saved is automatically loaded.
All factory presets can be changed or written over.
The sounds in the BASS category can work as SOLO sounds if the note pitch is duly
transposed, and vice versa.
SAVING A PRESET
Holding down S(SAVE), choose a bank on ?and press one of the sensors A-D,1-12.
Hwill start blinking, press it while holding down S, to confirm saving. A preset successfully
saved is confirmed by ?blinking twice. This saves TERRA's current settings into one of its
96 presets.
What is saved in a preset:
ÐThe tuning of the note keyboard (can be individual for each of the 96 presets);
ÐWhich of the 24 presets of < > tuning is used;
ÐWhich of the 32 synthesis algorithms is used and whether the "low sample rate" mode
is on;
ÐThe variation of the algorithm used, selected using ?.
ÐSettings of .
ÐSensitivity of the motion sensor G.

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All presets in all the banks can be written over.
All factory presets can be changed and written over.
If you need to swap the presets' places— use a free preset to temporarily store one of
the presets swapped
Holding the sensor Sfor more than 20 seconds deactivates it, this is a hardware
limitation. To re-activate, release and press the sensor again.
SELECTING A SYNTHESIS ALGORITHM
TERRA has 32 synthesis algorithms, each of them offering a unique and complete musical
instrument on its own.
There are four groups of synthesis algorithms:
POLYPHONIC — polyphonic synthesis with a standard polyphonic keyboard;
EXPERIMETAL —experimental, noise, percussive polyphonic synthesis. Most of the algorithms
use an experimental tri-phonic keyboard, i.e. three mono-keyboards with four sensors in
each and a manual portamento. The keyboard is divided into zones as follows: 1-4, 5-8, 9-12.
BASS — monophonic sounds in the Bass category.
SOLO — monophonic sounds in the Solo category.
To switch a synthesis algorithm, hold E(ENGINE) and set one of the 64 combinations on ?.
The middle row of sensors select one of the four algorithm groups:
— POLYPHONIC, — EXPERIMENTAL, — BASS, — SOLO.
a combination of sensors from the bottom row selects one of the 8 algorithms from the
previously selected group.
the top sensor engages a low sample rate mode for any algorithm selected. Turning
this sensor on halves the entire DSP-clock into 22 KHz, including all synthesis, all filters, all
envelopes, LFOs, and all the FX processing — which means the Echo and Reverb tails' time
will double. In short: everything becomes twice lower, slower, bigger and bassier.
See the ALGORITHMS section for a detailed description of all synthesis algorithms, their
individual features and settings.

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SELECTING A VARIATION FOR A SYNTHESIS ALGORITHM
When TERRA is in play mode — i.e. no tuning or calibration functions are activated and
none of the control sensors LSEG!, are pressed — you can switch the current synthesis
algorithm by selecting one of its 64 variations on ?.
This is TERRA's main working mode immediately after powering up, and it remains so unless
any control sensors are pressed.
Switching variations while notes are still playing can lead to minor audible clicks.
SETTING THE GYROSCOPE'S SENSITIVITY
Hold down Gand use ?to set the motion sensor Gyroscope's sensitivity, from completely
off to the maximum.
0 1 2 3 4 5
In most algorithms, the Gyroscope modulates the pitch of the notes played and the Echo's
delay time, thus creating frequency modulation.
Holding down the Gsensor for more than 20 seconds deactivates it, this is a hardware
limitation. To re-activate, release and press the sensor again.
CONTROLLING THE ENVELOPES
TERRA has two knobs and one sensor for controlling the decay of the envelopes of the
parametric and note keyboard sensors.
(— envelope decay time of the parametric keyboard sensors.
In certain algorithms, some sensors have an uncontrollable envelope decay time close
to 0.
)— envelope decay time of the note keyboard sensors.
@— fast envelope decay for note and parametric keyboards. Pressing this sensor is equal
to setting the ()knobs to 0. On releasing the sensor, the decay time returns to initial
settings. This sensor also decreases the Reverb size and the number of Echo repeats.
Holding down the @sensor for more than 20 seconds deactivates it, this is a hardware
limitation. To re-activate, release and press the sensor again.
There are no control knobs for the attack envelopes; you can control those by the way you
touch the sensors. Slowly pressing a sensor produces a soft attack; a quick pressing or a
hit creates a fast attack.

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=AND * KNOBS
These two knobs have various functions depending on the algorithms.
=—SEA. Controls parameters we classify as belonging to the Water domain: e.g. LFO speed
or detune beats.
*—SUN. Controls parameters we classify as the Light domain: e.g. the drive or the amount
of high-frequency harmonics.
See each algorithm's detailed description to learn the respective functions of the two knobs.
THE FX PROCESSOR
TERRA has a spatial effects processor unit that works in Reverb or Echo mode.
/TIME. Decay time in Reverb mode; delay time in Echo mode.
"MIX. Balance of dry and wet signals.
%ECHO. On engages the Echo mode, Off is Reverb mode.
Echo and Reverb each have their individual memory units. With longer TIME values, you can
use this feature to store sound fragments. You can play several notes in Echo mode, then
switch to Reverb and play it for some time, then switch back to Echo mode—and the Echo's
buffer content will remain the same as when you switched out of it.
However, if you don't need the effects' old memory content when switching them, you
can delete it. To delete an inactive mode's memory content, hold down G and press %.
An inactive mode's memory content is also deleted when a synthesis algorithm is switched.
TUNING THE NOTE KEYBOARD
To tune each sensor individually:
Hold down !, and one of the 1-12 sensors that you want to tune. Simultaneously use <
>, to tune the sensor to desired pitch.
<— tuning in semitones (big step).
Pressing the sensor once will raise the note's pitch by one semitone.
Pressing the sensor once will lower the note's pitch by one semitone.
Holding the will gradually raise the pitch in semitones.
Holding the will gradually lower the pitch in semitones.
Any switching in semitones resets the sensor's microtonal adjustment to zero.

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>— microtonal tuning (small step).
Pressing the sensor once will raise the note's pitch by 0.8% of a semitone.
Pressing the sensor once will lower the note's pitch by 0.8% of a semitone.
Holding the will gradually raise the pitch.
Holding the will gradually lower the pitch.
During the tuning, the current sensor's pitch will be indicated on ?.
C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B
A lit top LED on the ?always means #.
The current note's octave is not indicated.
A LED blinking in ?'s bottom row indicates that there's a microtonal tuning lower than the
chromatic note indicated. The faster the blinking, the wider the microtonal interval.
A LED blinking in ?'s middle row indicates that there's a microtonal tuning higher than the
chromatic note indicated. The faster the blinking, the wider the microtonal interval.
It's possible to set TERRA's keyboard to natural tuning (just intonation). For that, hold
down !, AND the note keyboard sensor that is the tonic note — and simultaneously press
the following sensors on the Triangular Controller: . TERRA will indicate a successful
conversion by ?blinking twice.
During the conversion, the tonic that you set will be used to calculate the natural
tuning's integer fractions according to which the note keyboard will be re-tuned.
During the natural tuning conversion, the microtonal adjustment for the tonic sensor
will be ignored and reset to zero.
To transpose all of the note keyboard:
Holding down !and Hsimultaneously, use <>to transpose the keyboard to the
desired pitch.
<— transposing in octaves (big step).
Pressing the sensor raises the keyboard's global pitch by 1 octave.
Pressing the sensor lowers the keyboard's global pitch by 1 octave.
Holding down will gradually raise the keyboard's pitch in octaves.
Holding down will gradually lower the keyboard's pitch in octaves.
>— transposing in semitones (small step).
Pressing the sensor raises the keyboard's global pitch by 1 semitone.
Pressing the sensor lowers the keyboard's global pitch by 1 semitone.
Holding down raises the keyboard's pitch gradually in semitones.
Holding down lowers the keyboard's pitch gradually in semitones.

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Transposing the entire note keyboard does not change the microtonal adjustment of
the sensors.
<always tunes in big steps (semitones or octaves).
>always tunes in small steps (microtonally or in semitones).
To initialize the tuning of the note keyboard:
Simultaneously press all 4 sensors <>, then simultaneously add ! H.
Release !H, then release <>. The keyboard will be initialized into chromatic scale
where sensor 1 is the C note. Microtonal adjustments for all sensors will be 0.
To store a keyboard tuning you created, save it to any preset. Each of the 96 presets can
have its own individual keyboard tuning.
Tuning the sensors is so quick and easy that you can do it on-the-fly during your
performance, using it as an artistic device or for creating a scale while playing.
USING <>WHILE PLAYING
The Pitch Shifter (<>) lets you instantly transpose the notes played on TERRA. The
resulting note pitch equals the sensor's tuning plus the interval set by the <>'s current
combination. To shift the pitch of a note played, before you press it, press and hold one
or several <>'s sensors. I.e. the combination of <>sensors should be already
held down while pressing a note on the 1-12 note keyboard. Adjusting <>does not
change the notes already pressed. See the last section of this manual for a table of factory
<>tuning presets.
Any combination of <>sensors pressed can be tuned to its own interval. In total,
you can shift the pitch of the notes played into 16 various intervals (including the also
tunable "nothing-pressed" state).
The "nothing-pressed" state in all the factory presets is tuned to zero. If the "nothing-
pressed" state is tuned to a non-zero interval, all of the keyboard in its initial state will
be shifted by that interval. Be careful!
SELECTING A <> PRESET
When you hold ! andH(keyboard transposing mode), ?indicates the <>. preset
and can be used to change it. The three top sensors on indicate the bank, the bottom three
indicate the preset's number in it.
To select a bank, press one of the top three sensors. There are three preset banks available
for the Pitch Shifter.

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To select a preset number inside a bank, dial in one of the eight combinations on the three
bottom sensors. There are eight presets available in each bank. That makes it a total of 24
<>tuning presets.
A table of factory <> tuning presets is presented in the last section of this manual.
Factory presets are only stored in the first bank . The rest of the presets are empty. With
an empty preset loaded, pressing <>does not affect TERRA's performance.
TUNING A <>PRESET
Holding down !Hon the ?, select a preset that you want to tune, as described in the
previous section. Press S!H Isimultaneously (the combination is deliberately made
complex to avoid accidentally entering this mode during a concert).
TERRA is now in <>tuning mode. A constant C note is now playing (you can switch
it off with %). Along with it, there's a second, brighter and louder note which indicates the
<>'s current state and changes if you press various combinations on <>. That
way you can control the tuning by ear.
Press and hold on <>the combination you want to tune ("nothing pressed" is also
tunable).
To tune a current combination in semitone steps, use 1-12. 1= unison. 2= +1 semitone, 3=
+2 semitones, ....12= +11 semitones.
To tune a current combination in octave steps, use Land G. L= –1 octave. G= +1 octave.
To tune a current combination microtonally, use Sand E. S= –0.8% of a semitone.
E= +0.8% of a semitone. A long pressing changes the tuning gradually.
The octave and microtonal tunings are indicated on ?
Octave tuning
0 –1 –2 –3 +1 +2 +3
Microtonal tuning (The LED blinks: the faster the blinking, the wider the microtonal interval)
– +
Any change done to octave or microtonal tuning resets the microtonal adjustment to zero.
To convert a current interval tuning of <>into just intonation, simultaneously press
on the Triangular Controller the following sensors .

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The "nothing-pressed" state on all factory presets is tuned to zero. If the "nothing-
pressed" state is tuned to a non-zero interval, the entire keyboard in its initial state
will be shifted by that interval. Be careful!
To tune down to an interval less than an octave, use -1 octave + the tuning in semitones.
E.g., a semitone down equals -1 octave +11 semitones.
The maximum interval that <>can shift to is -36/+47 semitones.
To save the <>settings into current preset and exit, press !H.
To exit without saving, press HI.
SYNCHRONIZING THE LFO AND ARPEGGIATOR TEMPO
Some of TERRA's algorithms have a rhythmic LFO or an arpeggiator, calling for their tempo
to be synchronized with that of a song. There are four ways to do that.
1. Carefully adjusting the tempo with the =.
2. Holding down the Dsensor, tap the tempo on the !. This “freezes” the =knob. To return
it to function, rotate it by 10% or more.
3. Sending MIDI clock to the MIDI input. When it registers an external MIDI clock, TERRA will
automatically switch to synchronization by MIDI.The =knob will then adjust the subdivision
quotient for the MIDI clock received, thus defining the note length.
4. Sending CV clock via the MIDI input. When it registers an external CV clock, TERRA will
automatically switch to synchronization by CV clock. The =will then adjust the subdivision
quotient of the clock received, thus defining the note length. Connecting the CV clock is
described in the Connecting TERRA section.
LFO and arpeggiator restart automatically by touching the note keyboard if no note
sensor has been pressed.
MIDI OUTPUT
TERRA has MIDI output, enabling you to use its innovative interface and keyboard as a
unique MIDI controller for other synths. In this mode TERRA keeps synthesizing sounds. It
should be noted that TERRA was designed as a standalone synthesizer first-and-foremost,
and as a MIDI controller secondly. For this reason, we allowed for some compromises in the
MIDI out features, so that including MIDI functionality would not constrain or limit TERRA’s
synthesis.
Controlling the MIDI Output mode in TERRA is done with ?.
To switch to MIDI Control mode, press and hold down S!H.