The delay can also self-modulate, where the output signal modulates the delay sample rate. It also features a low-frequency oscillator (LFO) that can modulate the selected pairs of voices and the built-in delay effect. The voices are divided into four pairs and the pairs are divided in two groups, with two pairs in each creating a tree-like structure. LYRA-8 is based on eight sound generators, which are referred to as voices that resemble the tone generators in old electric organs, rather than the usual synthesiser oscillators. Soma, the makers of the Lyra-8, describes it as an “organismic” analogue synthesiser and claim that it uses “principles that lie in the base of living organisms”. (An 'off the shelf' finished Lyra-8 – picture from Soma Laboratory – used with permission) I put my name down for a set of the Lyra 8 boards from the next production run and they were held up for while in Leeds depot, awaiting the processing of Duty and VAT payment, but arrived just as I started confining myself to home and had some extra time on my hands.

Apart from the sound, the other thing that attracted me was that the Russian manufacturers of the Lyra 8 sometimes made PCBs available, so that you could build your own. I have been intrigued by the Lyra 8 synthesiser for some time I had seen it discussed via the online forum for synthesiser enthusiasts, Muffwiggler, and seen video of it in action, and I really liked what I heard. A slightly more ambitious lockdown project to build a standalone synthesiser.

Cccp project nova