SOMA Ether V2

When I heard about Soma Ether, it reminded me of transhumanists implanting magnets in their bodies - a device to grant a brand new sense for a human being. And I was not wrong.

Ether allows me to get a taste of the world that is hidden in plain sight - all the sounds are actually there, we just can't hear them normally. I can hear a clock on the other side of the wall, I can hear when a tram accelerates, I can hear wires in my walls. All the lamps, all the electric devices become things I can feel.

I feel a little bit deaf when I'm without Ether.

Ether is surprisingly small and light, and does what is was designed to do.
It works well with headphones (A-T ATH-M60x), but when attached to a portable recorder (Tascam DR-22WL, phone) a constant hum is always present. Maybe changing the length of the connecting cable will help.
Also, the case is made of plastic, and to replace the batteries one must unscrew 4 screws - hopefully the batteries will last long, or the screw holes will not!

The Soma Ether is a great machine to find and record unexpected electromagnetic noises, as a basis for your samples or background sounds. The little machine is portable and can be hooked up with a recording device. You will find amazing sounds just by pointing this unit to lightbulbs, hard drives, mobile phones etc. The build is a bit plasticky, but sturdy enough for mobile use.

A great tool to gather non-white noise, and to use as controlled-random CV (needs external amplification for proper CV, since it's earphone level), although of course the recording gear or whatever you're controlling will create its own noise.

By controlled random I mean that the signal is noise, but the specific noise changes with location/orientation, and it's easily reproducible (as long as you keep pointing it in the same direction :) )

This tool amplifies electro magnetic waves - it's a real discovery what goes on in a house or on the streets. Use the recording - via the stereo out into a Tascam handheld recorder - as atmospheric sounds for music and video.

Works on batteries for a long time and the 2 pins work as an amplifier when touched.

This is serious stuff. Very nicely done. Comes with high output volume as well (for example with some 55 Ohm headphones you'd better not crank it up or your ears will suffer greatly)
Customer service from Thomann was simply great! I strongly advise this product to those who are more inclined to electroacoustic adventures but in reality anyone could benefit from a device like this anytime!

What can I say? Soma makes some really great stuff and this one is so much fun to use.

If you like noise / drone music / ambient stuff than this is a must-have. You can pick up some amazing and unique sounds with this (and it gives you an excuse to go outside). The extra controls are a nice update on the last version and it's a sturdy little case.

Only Con: In order to change the batteries you need to use a really small screwdriver to open the entire thing. I love this device but this can be a little bit annoying, other than that it's great!

I love this. It is at times soothing and others terrifying.
Great if you have a discreet/small handheld recorder, but plugged into my Zoom I was worried about dropping one or the other.

Pros -
You can get some amazing samples / beds using this

Cons -
It is very light plastic and I don't think it would survive a drop. Could really do with a shock cover etc or a wrist tie.

Overall though, it's a very specific purpose tool. If you want it you won't be disappointed.

Feel like there's other devices like this that have a better sound quality and the case is really cheap. But it's a fun little thing, pocket size

Very limited sounds are generated from this unit. You are better off buying a short wave radio and you will gain far more odd frequencies to use or manipulate. I know it's not the same but most users from a music store not a science lab are looking for noises.