Make noise trading mainly in experimental Eurorack modules such as Morphagene and Maths. But a few years ago, it made a play for more entry-level space with the 0-Coast, a compact modular synthesizer that blends the two popular synthesis schools – east coast and west coast (hence the name “no” coast). The company expanded the line last year with the 0-CTRL, a downloadable sequence and controller for modular systems. The latest entry in the affordable tabletop format is Strega (Italian for Witch), a complex bumblebee machine built in collaboration with Alessandro Cortini, probably best known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, but also the incredible ‘Illusion Of Time’ released. with Daniel Avery last year.
The core of the Strega is an analog oscillator coupled with a dirty but musical delay. The delay is built around a ‘karaoke’ delay (probably the PT2399) with three asynchronous taps. This means that it is not really an idea for rhythmic echoes, but rather creates a sense of space and thickens the sound. Since it’s just a single, monophonic voice, it’s essential to add that little bit of charge. To add even more drama and a little more, there is also a wave folding feature, plus a loop casing to create movement.
Furthermore, there are touch plates on the front to physically manipulate the sound – square destinations and sources. It allows you to introduce modulation with your fingertips in new and interesting ways, besides just turning. There is also a random modulation source to set a level of unpredictability.
Just as interesting, there is an audio input. During a demo with Sonicstate (above) Alessando played a guitar track through the Strega and added lofi delay and exaggerated it with the on-board gain. Suddenly, this simple plucked guitar melody becomes a transfer for a hazy memory.
The Strega costs $ 599 and starts at the end of February.