Make Noise travels mainly in experimental Eurorack modules, such as Morphagene and Maths. But, a few years ago, he made a bet for a more basic space with the 0-Coast, a compact modular synthesizer that combined the two popular schools of synthesis – east coast and west coast (hence the name “no” coast). The company expanded this line with the 0-CTRL last year, a sequencer and patchable controller for modular systems. The newest entry in the accessible table format is Strega (Italian for witch), a complex drone built in collaboration with Alessandro Cortini, who is probably best known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, but also launched the incredible ‘Illusion Of Time’ with Daniel Avery last year.
The core of the Strega is an analog oscillator paired with a bold but musical delay. The delay is built around a “karaoke” delay (probably PT2399) with three unsynchronized rings. This means that it is not really an idea for rhythmic echoes, instead, it is to create a sense of space and thicken the sound. Since it is just a monophonic voice, adding some weight is essential. To add more drama and a little more bite, there is also a wave-fold function, as well as a looped envelope to create movement.
In addition, there are touch plates on the front to physically manipulate the sound – squares being targets and rounded to sources. This allows you to introduce modulation with your fingertips in new and interesting ways, in addition to just turning the buttons. There is also a source of random modulation to introduce a level of unpredictability.
As interesting as, there is an audio input. During a demonstration with Sonicstate (above) Alessando played a guitar track through Strega adding lofi delay and overdriving using the onboard gain. Suddenly, that simple plucked guitar melody became a transmission into a hazy memory.
Strega will cost $ 599 and will begin shipping in late February.