SOMA Laboratory, known for pushing the boundaries of experimental sound technology, has announced the launch of FLUX, a revolutionary synthesizer designed to blend classical instrument expressiveness with cutting-edge technology. Developed over the course of a year, FLUX offers unparalleled expressive capabilities through its innovative user interface.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic Thereminvox by Leo Theremin, FLUX allows users to manipulate sound through hand gestures in the air. However, unlike traditional Theremins that rely on capacitive coupling, FLUX operates on magnetic principles. Users wield magnetic bows in each hand, while a multipolar magnetic sensor captures hand positions and movements. The right-hand bow’s motion controls pitch and volume, while the left-hand bow manages various synthesis parameters.
FLUX’s motion-based interface opens up new avenues for musical expression. By detecting not only spatial coordinates but also the bow’s angle, FLUX enables seamless octave changes without keyboard transposition. Additionally, tilting the right-hand bow controls modulation parameters, offering artists a wide range of sonic possibilities from sub-bass to ultrasonic frequencies.
