I love the Cosmos, it was an instant buy for me. It's tricky and demands to be played like its own instrument, unlike a typical pedal. It's based on the tape stuff Eno & Fripp did, and in those recordings, Brian Eno played with the tape loops as Robert Fripp played guitar. I think that same kind of workflow is important.
Yeah I definitely consider it in a different category from effects pedals, though it technically is. And agree, that workflow Eno & Fripp used is where the Cosmos shines, and the type of music and sounds I found it to work the most successfully with. Of course, swap out the firmware, and you have another beast entirely.
At first I hoped it was click bait, but you made some good points, and didn't rob it of any luster. No, in spite of it all, I'm still in love with the Cosmos, or at least the idea of it. (I cannot afford one, haha.) For me, its use case offers a unique blend of advantages, control, disadvantages, and chaos. All of which I find very beautiful and inspiring (even ugly stuff on this thing sounds more beautiful for having transported you so completely into the world of that sound). In a lot of ways I imagine using it like an instrument, not only in terms of how it is played, but in the kinds of things you play with it, much in the same way that you would write music suited for a particular instrument (you wouldn't typically write for a piano the same way that you would a violin, etc.). But I also think of it in terms of figuring out how much I can expand and push its use case, and to what effect. And I think about it in terms of orchestration, too. How to sculpt the textures it generates. What to fit inside it and what not. What new and interesting ways I can find to use it, and to the betterment of the piece as a whole. I could imagine losing many hours just playing in and exploring soundscapes that may never be heard again, and what fun that must be. How therapeutic. In a lot of ways it takes the work out of creating vibrant and mesmerizing soundscapes. Maybe too much so. (At what point are you no longer the author? Etc.) But still, it's just too beautiful not to play with, if you can. And certainly, if you don't limit how and when you use it, it will limit what you can write with it. Sometimes to the detriment of your composition. And what it offers is not for everyone (especially at its price point). But my goodness, if my income could support spending that kind of money on something just for me, I would happily spend it.
Sorry for the long comment, and thank you for the video! It is nice to hear someone actually talking about and using this pedal. I can never hear enough of it, nor hear enough about it.
That Hydrasynth beat was very cool. Great variety with all the combos. I love that you do great demos to justify getting rid of something. I like the institutional green on your ex-Cosmos, good choice. Good on you for moving on. Thanks.
PIcked it up out of curiosity. Paired it with the microcosm tonight, and kind of liked the results. Can't say I understand the unit. The basic functions sure. But it seems to operate pretty subtlety. It was meant to replace another delay unit I sold, and it's not quite what I expected. I'll probably work with a bit more, and see. The great thing is that it seems to sell at almost full value, so it won't be a big loss IF sold. Liked hearing another perspective on the device.
If you have any questions on the Cosmos, feel free to reach out to me via email in my bio. You may also want to experiment with the different firmware available. If you're replacing a traditional delay, the COSMOS_R1.51 and/or COSMOSPR1.61may give you more predictable/familiar results. Note that R1.51 has its own manual since it operates so differently.
Thanks. This is validating. I love the Cosmos, but I find myself fighting with it as often as I find myself collaborating with it. I've made great music with it, but it REALLY wants minimal inputs and lots of sonic space. I got it for my harp, for which it's great, but it's eating up studio space for my synths. If I had endless space, time, and money, I would love it.
@@ModelOfAModernMajor you described that perfectly for me. If I had resources and space, I would absolutely want to “have it around” for occasional exploration. And I imagine it does well with a harp, would love to hear some of it if you’re willing to share!
It is not negative...i understand you. I wanted to buy it too but after seeing thousands of videos with it i made a conclusion. Everyone sounded kind of the "same". To speak the truth it is an expensive pedal and i cannot afford a "mistake" when buying something.
NGL having a similar experience with obne dark light spent hours and hours researching what reverb I wanted, thought it would be perfect....and well it's not that it's a bad reverb it's actually beautiful sounding. But it just doesn't work for me. Can't really put my finger on it. For whatever reason the sound doesn't fit and that's all that matters....what sounds good to you
Hmmm, I'm unsure why TH-cam recommended this to me but I'm glad it did, this was interesting. It sounds like you've thought this through and that it just doesn't fit well with your other gear.
Or maybe even fits ok with the gear, but just not my creative practice ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Thanks for watching! Curious what video you were watching when TH-cam recommended it?
@@0VRLNDR It was there on the front page of TH-cam. I didn't even have to scroll down for it. I get two rows of six videos horizontally and then a stack of shorts below those and your video was on row two of the six, second from the left if I remember correctly. It was puzzling and looked different so I watched it. I'm glad I did. Cheers.
I enjoy using the Cosmos a lot. However, if you want to enjoy this device, you must allow it to become more like a band member with a mind of its own. You cannot fully control it. It's like it has a mind of its own. I'm also used to play free improvised music live. So I have to listen a lot and try to find my little bit of sound to add to it. This also doesn't work out for most musicians either, so it makes sense that I feel that the two things are related. Also I'm surprised that many demos out there on TH-cam don't really live up to what can be done with the Cosmos. Not even these of the its maker Vlad Kreimer.
Yes, totally! I practice deep listening and prescribe to Todd Barton's "universe in every knob" theory, and the Cosmos doesn't disappoint in capability in that regard. For some reason it just wasn't "fun" for me. And your last point about other demos was one of the reasons I wanted to make sure that my demos all showcased the Cosmos in a positive light, with really interesting sound worlds. Appreciate any feedback you might have there, give me a grade!
The time I spent with the Terra felt like a lot of crossover with the Enner and a few of my other synths, so not likely to add that one. I’d love to play the Flux though and especially compare to my Theramin.
Thank you! And that was such a big part of the struggle-because it was able to create fantastic end results-closer to my goal than the Microcosm in this instance. Who knows, maybe it will make its way back into my studio as my own musical practice evolves. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Follow your music. That really is the only rule a musician needs. For me, I think that a Soma Cosmos might be a very good fit. I can spend hours with echos and loops. From listening you play with it, your music doesn't sound like tape loop/musique concrete territory. Just like clothes fitting the person, the instrument needs to fit the musician.
I’m actually more interested in it, after watching this video, lol … At least it sounds better than it looks. Everyone frothing over the Nightverb atm, and I think that’s the opposite (looks better than it sounds).
😂 I guess that means I at least did it justice, I wanted to show the best sides of the Cosmos and then explain why that still didn't work me. I haven't had hands-on with the Nightverb yet.
I'd advise that the Cosmos needs to be played like a synth, constantly tweaking and adjusting it. Never set it to static positions to go play other instruments, play the Cosmos always listening to what it's giving you. Otherwise I think you are right it fights to be the lead instrument.
@@ottsch Same-obviously I did not try the linked/quadraphonic swarm that requires two. Might be the most interesting but also even more niche, for someone doing live experimental music in quad.
Yes please! It fits my minty green Pulsar and Lyra 😊
It is a fantastic color!
I love the Cosmos, it was an instant buy for me. It's tricky and demands to be played like its own instrument, unlike a typical pedal. It's based on the tape stuff Eno & Fripp did, and in those recordings, Brian Eno played with the tape loops as Robert Fripp played guitar. I think that same kind of workflow is important.
Yeah I definitely consider it in a different category from effects pedals, though it technically is. And agree, that workflow Eno & Fripp used is where the Cosmos shines, and the type of music and sounds I found it to work the most successfully with.
Of course, swap out the firmware, and you have another beast entirely.
@0VRLNDR I've only tried the alternate firmware that replaced the drive knob with pitch. I'd like to try the rhythmic one sometime
At first I hoped it was click bait, but you made some good points, and didn't rob it of any luster. No, in spite of it all, I'm still in love with the Cosmos, or at least the idea of it. (I cannot afford one, haha.)
For me, its use case offers a unique blend of advantages, control, disadvantages, and chaos. All of which I find very beautiful and inspiring (even ugly stuff on this thing sounds more beautiful for having transported you so completely into the world of that sound).
In a lot of ways I imagine using it like an instrument, not only in terms of how it is played, but in the kinds of things you play with it, much in the same way that you would write music suited for a particular instrument (you wouldn't typically write for a piano the same way that you would a violin, etc.). But I also think of it in terms of figuring out how much I can expand and push its use case, and to what effect. And I think about it in terms of orchestration, too. How to sculpt the textures it generates. What to fit inside it and what not. What new and interesting ways I can find to use it, and to the betterment of the piece as a whole. I could imagine losing many hours just playing in and exploring soundscapes that may never be heard again, and what fun that must be. How therapeutic.
In a lot of ways it takes the work out of creating vibrant and mesmerizing soundscapes. Maybe too much so. (At what point are you no longer the author? Etc.) But still, it's just too beautiful not to play with, if you can.
And certainly, if you don't limit how and when you use it, it will limit what you can write with it. Sometimes to the detriment of your composition. And what it offers is not for everyone (especially at its price point). But my goodness, if my income could support spending that kind of money on something just for me, I would happily spend it.
Sorry for the long comment, and thank you for the video! It is nice to hear someone actually talking about and using this pedal. I can never hear enough of it, nor hear enough about it.
Thank you for watching and stopping by to share your thoughts!
That Hydrasynth beat was very cool. Great variety with all the combos. I love that you do great demos to justify getting rid of something. I like the institutional green on your ex-Cosmos, good choice. Good on you for moving on.
Thanks.
My next Soma instrument will have to be in that same color 😅
Thanks for watching! 🙏
I think I'll never get rid of my cosmos, it's too important for my mind body and soul.
Really appreciate your experience and perspective.
PIcked it up out of curiosity. Paired it with the microcosm tonight, and kind of liked the results. Can't say I understand the unit. The basic functions sure. But it seems to operate pretty subtlety. It was meant to replace another delay unit I sold, and it's not quite what I expected. I'll probably work with a bit more, and see. The great thing is that it seems to sell at almost full value, so it won't be a big loss IF sold. Liked hearing another perspective on the device.
If you have any questions on the Cosmos, feel free to reach out to me via email in my bio. You may also want to experiment with the different firmware available. If you're replacing a traditional delay, the COSMOS_R1.51 and/or COSMOSPR1.61may give you more predictable/familiar results. Note that R1.51 has its own manual since it operates so differently.
Thanks. This is validating. I love the Cosmos, but I find myself fighting with it as often as I find myself collaborating with it. I've made great music with it, but it REALLY wants minimal inputs and lots of sonic space. I got it for my harp, for which it's great, but it's eating up studio space for my synths. If I had endless space, time, and money, I would love it.
@@ModelOfAModernMajor you described that perfectly for me. If I had resources and space, I would absolutely want to “have it around” for occasional exploration. And I imagine it does well with a harp, would love to hear some of it if you’re willing to share!
It is not negative...i understand you.
I wanted to buy it too but after seeing thousands of videos with it i made a conclusion.
Everyone sounded kind of the "same".
To speak the truth it is an expensive pedal and i cannot afford a "mistake" when buying something.
NGL having a similar experience with obne dark light spent hours and hours researching what reverb I wanted, thought it would be perfect....and well it's not that it's a bad reverb it's actually beautiful sounding. But it just doesn't work for me. Can't really put my finger on it. For whatever reason the sound doesn't fit and that's all that matters....what sounds good to you
It’s funny, I feel exactly the same way about the Eventide Space. Turns out a $100 Alesis MidiVerb2 was the sound I was looking for.
Hmmm, I'm unsure why TH-cam recommended this to me but I'm glad it did, this was interesting. It sounds like you've thought this through and that it just doesn't fit well with your other gear.
Or maybe even fits ok with the gear, but just not my creative practice ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Thanks for watching! Curious what video you were watching when TH-cam recommended it?
@@0VRLNDR It was there on the front page of TH-cam. I didn't even have to scroll down for it. I get two rows of six videos horizontally and then a stack of shorts below those and your video was on row two of the six, second from the left if I remember correctly. It was puzzling and looked different so I watched it. I'm glad I did. Cheers.
@@OTOss8 cool, thanks for the info. Still figuring out the algorithm while trying to build this channel, so I appreciate it.
@@0VRLNDR No problem man. Thanks for the cool video.
Great video! I do think this thing is pretty nifty, but also at the same time, I haven't had a chance to mess around with one
Do you have a local shop that will let you try it out, I've found that really helpful sometimes. And thanks for watching!
I enjoy using the Cosmos a lot. However, if you want to enjoy this device, you must allow it to become more like a band member with a mind of its own. You cannot fully control it. It's like it has a mind of its own. I'm also used to play free improvised music live. So I have to listen a lot and try to find my little bit of sound to add to it. This also doesn't work out for most musicians either, so it makes sense that I feel that the two things are related.
Also I'm surprised that many demos out there on TH-cam don't really live up to what can be done with the Cosmos. Not even these of the its maker Vlad Kreimer.
Yes, totally! I practice deep listening and prescribe to Todd Barton's "universe in every knob" theory, and the Cosmos doesn't disappoint in capability in that regard. For some reason it just wasn't "fun" for me.
And your last point about other demos was one of the reasons I wanted to make sure that my demos all showcased the Cosmos in a positive light, with really interesting sound worlds. Appreciate any feedback you might have there, give me a grade!
Do u have ginormous hands or is the pulsar 23 smaller than I thought?
@@TwinCitiesOxygen 😂 maybe both I guess? It’s big. Wide angle overhead probably distorts some.
Will you get a terra or the flux?
The time I spent with the Terra felt like a lot of crossover with the Enner and a few of my other synths, so not likely to add that one. I’d love to play the Flux though and especially compare to my Theramin.
I like the stuff you made with the Cosmos, especially together with Pulsar and Subharmonicon... 😀 but I understand your reasoning behind selling it...
Thank you! And that was such a big part of the struggle-because it was able to create fantastic end results-closer to my goal than the Microcosm in this instance. Who knows, maybe it will make its way back into my studio as my own musical practice evolves. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Follow your music. That really is the only rule a musician needs. For me, I think that a Soma Cosmos might be a very good fit. I can spend hours with echos and loops. From listening you play with it, your music doesn't sound like tape loop/musique concrete territory. Just like clothes fitting the person, the instrument needs to fit the musician.
I’m actually more interested in it, after watching this video, lol …
At least it sounds better than it looks. Everyone frothing over the Nightverb atm, and I think that’s the opposite (looks better than it sounds).
😂 I guess that means I at least did it justice, I wanted to show the best sides of the Cosmos and then explain why that still didn't work me. I haven't had hands-on with the Nightverb yet.
@ Well, I for one think you did very well. Good, balanced review/remarks … And the good life is all about BALANCE … Have a good one!
@@kierenmoore3236 🙏
the cosmos is great... i will not sell it ever
i would sell they subharmonicon or the labyrinth first
😳😅
i use it with two lyra 8- ( it’s perfect with lyra)
Nice Bob Ross collection!
NO LO SABES USAR !!! ☹️
¿PUEDES MOSTRARME CÓMO? 😂
th-cam.com/users/shorts1z2Gy7S8Fso?si=SG57ORs47IsgRueo
I'd advise that the Cosmos needs to be played like a synth, constantly tweaking and adjusting it. Never set it to static positions to go play other instruments, play the Cosmos always listening to what it's giving you. Otherwise I think you are right it fights to be the lead instrument.
Well stated and thanks for watching!
Yes, exactly, the instrument must "fit" the musician. If something doesn't work for you, then you won't be using it.
I don''t buy hardware brands affiliated with Putin
I had quite a similar experience with the Cosmos. Ultimately sold it as well.
Curious if you tried the other firmwares?
@@0VRLNDR yes, I tried all three
@@ottsch Same-obviously I did not try the linked/quadraphonic swarm that requires two. Might be the most interesting but also even more niche, for someone doing live experimental music in quad.
Bob Ross student.. or collector?
..just put a little tree here... this is your world..
I followed along with the episodes during 2020 lockdown and ended up with about 20 🖼️ 😂