Instruments
SoundOkapi plays a variety of different instruments.
In 2020, when he embarked on his electronic project, he initially utilized a Prophet XL from Sequential, earning him a coveted spot on
Sequentials artist list
After incorporating the Prophet into two albums and numerous live performances and home recordings, SoundOkapi eventually sold it. However, he acquired other equipment during this time, including Soma instruments and three of the four instruments in the Yamaha Reface series - and after a while he also got the XL´s smaller sibling, the Prophet X, because he simply couldn´t live without it.
Currently, his top choices are the Haken ContinuuMini and the Soma Terra.
For more details about his frequently used gear, continue reading below..
ContinuuMini from Haken
Expressive synthesizer
One of SoundOkapi's absolute favorites, featured in nearly every concert and prominently showcased in many of his releases and videos. This instrument boasts a plethora of spectacular sounds, activated by finger movements in 3D across its red surface.
The small Haken is the source of all sounds in for example
Ataraxia 2
Terra from Soma
Conceptual, digital synthesizer
Added to SoundOkapi's collection in 2023, this instrument has quickly become a favorite. Crafted by Vlad Kreimer, it produces wonderfully expressive and dramatic sounds, enriching SoundOkapi's musical palette.
Here is a playlist with all of
SoundOkapis Terra-videos
DFAM from Moog
Analog drum synthesizer
The legendary Moog sound condensed into a compact, groovy box known as the Drummer From Another Mother
The DFAM makes the harsh groove in
The Downfall Club
from SoundOkapis album 'Drones...' and plays a duet with the Wing Pinger from Meng Qui in
Music on a snowy day
Lyra-8 from Soma
Drone synthesizer
Another remarkable instrument from Vlad Kreimer's innovative Soma company. This device produces drones, noise, and otherworldly sounds.
Experience its full potential in SoundOkapi's low-budget, minimalist short film
The uncanny Thought
where it serves as the entire soundtrack.
In this video
all four Soma instruments in SoundOkapis collection plays together
Cosmos from Soma
Drifitng memory station
Not exactly an instrument, but a uniquely special looper that leaves its distinct mark on every sound it processes. Is having two necessary? No, but it is convenient and inspiring!
Cosmos assumes a pivotal role in
Rite of New Endings
from SoundOkapis album 'Poetic'. And of course it also appears in
the whole Soma family improv
Reface series from Yamaha
New versions of old keyboards
Yamaha’s reimagining of classic instruments in a compact format:
CP is an electric piano that also includes a toy piano and a traditional grand.
CS is a classic synthesizer offering multiple waveforms and extensive modulation options.
YC packs five organ types into a tiny red box – the Hammond emulation is especially impressive.
The Reface CP can be heard in
Web of No Things
So far, the CS and YC have only appeared subtly in the background of SoundOkapi’s recordings.
Wing Pinger from Menq Qi
Analog, filter-based synthesizer
Crafted by the innovative Chinese genius Meng Qi, this peculiar instrument boasts a truly unique sound palette. Two resonant filters interact and modulate each other, producing a very distinctive sound.
The Wing Pinger pairs seamlessly with the Moog DFAM, as showcased in
this video
and
here
you can experience it on its own
Waraku from Suzuki
Koto-synth
Originally devised as a practice tool for traditional Japanese koto players, the Waraku enables silent practice, making it ideal for late-night sessions in small spaces. However, it is actually a remarkably beautiful instrument in its own right. The Waraku in SoundOkapi's collection, aged 25-30 years, still performs flawlessly.
One of SoundOkapis most popular video on YouTube features
a demonstration of the Waraku
DrumKid from Matt Bradshaw
A straightforward drum machine
Inexpensive, low-fi, yet capable of introducing randomness both in rhythm initiation and variation during play. Matt Bradshaw is currently developing a more sophisticated version featuring hi-fi samples. The Eurorack version has already been released, and the standalone version is expected sometime in the near future
In this
live recording from Berlin
DrumKid collaborates with the Yamaha Reface CP through the Soma Cosmos.
RC-600 from Boss
Loop station
Featuring six independent loops that can be synced or left unsynchronized, The RC-300, the smaller sibling of Boss’s RC-600, has been a crucial tool for SoundOkapi in shaping the sound sculptures on the album
Ataraxia
While the looper itself is not audibly discernible, its influence is woven into the structure through long repetitions.
Studio Live 16.4.2 from Presonus
16-channel mixer
The center of all recordings and nearly every SoundOkapi concert. Reverb and delay effects are frequently sourced from the built-in effects section of the 16.4.2
Assorted effect pedals
Occasionally, you'll hear instrument sounds processed through effect pedals in SoundOkapi's music. Here's a photo of his current collection.
Nux Tape Core, Jomox T-Resonator, Walrus Slö, Deepspace Devices Antikythera, Cooper FX Generation Loss, TC Electronic Mimiq, Koma Commander and Dreadbox Kinematic
Onde from La Voix du Luthier
Self-powered resonator
SoundOkapi utilizes the Onde for concerts in small, intimate spaces such as village churches, galleries, cafés and homes and even outdoor. With its built-in amplifier and battery, you can power the Haken mini via USB and play it through the Onde's wooden resonator, delivering a wonderful sound.
Enner from Soma
Experimental touch-synthesizer
Yet another instrument from Soma Labs. It is played by touching the metal plates on the surface, thereby creating noisy textures, strange grooves and other highly interesting sounds.
Listen to the Enner in this
everyday recording
from SoundOkapi's home studio
Wavestate from Korg
Wave sequencing synthesizer
This seemingly small synthesizer is a true powerhouse of possibilities. While it has a rather complex workflow, it is well worth the effort due to the stunning, evolving soundscapes it can create.
Sea of Sounds from Tetsuo
Noisebox
A unique instrument made by the Italian artist Tetsuo — there is only one exactly like it. It is played by striking, scraping, or otherwise interacting with the various objects placed on its surface. In addition, it features a built-in pair of tunable oscillators and a filter.
Watch it in action in
this video
from the ever-growing series, "Another day in the SoundOkapi-studio."
Rumble of Ancient Times from Soma
8-bit noise synthesizer
Another strange creation from Vlad Kreimer’s Soma Labs. Inspired by the sound palette of 1980s video games and designed by Kakos Nonos. In reality, it’s perhaps more of a toy than a serious instrument — but it may well show up on a recording someday.
Watch the RoAT in
this video
from the series, "Another day in the SoundOkapi-studio."
Prophet X from Sequential
Hybrid synthesizer
In a way, this synth was SoundOkapi´s first, only in another form. Initially, he bought the slightly larger Prophet XL, which is the only instrument featured on the two albums "Time Incantations" and "Bindi", However, he later sold it, missed it dearly, and eventually bought a second-hand Prophet X.
By combining samples with a high-quality digital synthesizer engine and running them through analog filters, the Prophet X offers countless possibilities and remains a significant source of inspiration.
Listen to the Prophet X(L) on
SoundOkapi´s first album
And read the interview with SoundOkapi, featured as one of Sequential’s spotlight artists
here
Circuit Rhythm from Novation
Sampler and groovebox
After previously working with an earlier groovebox from Novation - the original Circuit, which features on all the groovy tracks on the album
UNMASKED
- SoundOkapi recently purchased the more versatile Circuit Rhythm second-hand. Despite its humble appearance, it offers a wealth of exciting ways to shape and vary rhythms, and it will undoubtedly be a core instrument on upcoming microhouse releases.