Are there different version of the Lyra-8 or all they all the same (except for a different on/off switch)?
The very first ones had no lfo off position yet, iirc (2-way switch vs. current 3-way).
Apart from that knobs and colors have changed.
Oh hrm. I didn’t get an early model but think I have the two way switch. Not really necessary for me but nice that they’ve got little improvements here and there.
I’m playing my white Lyra from one month more or less.
I like to share some thougts about it.
Build quality is beyond any expectation! It is so sturdy, the knobs are so insanely good, the feel of every part under the fingers is so pleasant that every other synth I have or I had it seems a toy comparing to this beauty.
The design is easy to understand and everything is clear and minimal. I like it very much.
Oscillators cover a large frequency range and are divided in groups of two: bass, middle bass, middle high and high.
After a while you understand that Lyra can be used in a lot of different ways. It can be tuned and played like a keyboard synth, but this is not my favorite way. You can use it in a full drone mode, or (and this is the best IMO) you can drone with the basses and play the highs or drone with the highs and play the basses. LFO it is not a modulation source, it is more a rithm generator. Distortion is wild and roaring: I’m liking to use it all way up and than attenuating it with dry/wet knob.
Lyra’s delay is a world apart: it interact with other parameters in a surprising way.
The best part of Lyra is the FM circuit: every oscillator can modulate or be modulated. Cross frequency modulation opens a world of sonic possibilities.
Only cons: turning up delay there is a volume loss that I find a little unpleasant, but it’s just a tiny detail.
I have the feeling that I found an instrument that is truly made for a life-time long use. It will be amazing for ever, because of its umpredictability.
I just got a Lyra 8 and am noticing something weird with my audio output.
I am using a 1/4 mono TRS to 1/4 stereo TS Y cable out of Lyra into Analog Heat and I am only seeing audio come in through the right channel. I thought this was weird, so I plugged a 1/8 mono TRS to 1/4 stereo TS Y cable from the headphone out of Lyra into Heat, which gave me equal left and right volume. Then I tried that same 1/8 mono to 1/4 stereo Y cable, but with a 1/4 adapter from the Lyra main output, which gave me only the left channel.
This is the first time I’ve played with a Lyra, so not sure if this is expected. Maybe I need a different cable? I know the 1/4 output in Lyra is balanced, so I thought this should be a good cable.
Anybody familiar with Lyra have any input?
Has any body experienced this?
Thanks in advance
When I do use the headphone out into Analog Heat FX, the Lyra does sounds completely insane.
So nice.
If you have Heat MkII you can just plug single TS or TRS cable into L on Heat.
The main output is mono and the headphone output is stereo (one mono for each ear, right?)
I think what you are experiencing is expected:
- the headphone out is stereo, so from there into L and R inputs gives you two identical signals.
- the main out is balanced mono. I assume (but I am not 100% sure) that the ring is connected to ground, and that’s why you get only one signal.
If I connect my Lyra to anything stereo, I use the headphone out, if a mono input is available I use either a TS or TRS cable from the main out. Either way works well. Some say the headphone out is noisier, but at least I don’t notice a difference…
I have no explanation why you signal is the other way around with the adapter, but I believe the adapter itself might be the culprit, not your Lyra.
TS cable from Lyra to AH mono in will do it. The Lyra headphone output is dual mono I think, so that is why it works as you’ve described. I don’t think there anything funny going on.
Thank you all for the responses.
That all makes sense.
I think I was just hoping the using the Y cable would split the output channel, because when I go into the Heat and straight to the speakers, I’m only listening to one speaker, which is not nice.
So I guess for this setup, I’m best to use the headphone output.
You need a Mono TS cable if you want to use the Lyra’s main out. The S contact can only touch either the S or R band if a TRS cable (or if you are unlucky, the insulator between them).
The main out is balanced mono (stated in the manual), which is why I initially thought that if I used a balanced Y cable, I would get dual mono.
Regardless of what the manual says, I’ve only ever had good results with TS cables. I’ll try again, but won’t be home for a while.
From the manual:
I really been eyeing the Lyra-8 for a while now - and think I’ll get one when a used one shows up
I make heavy electronics (industrial/power electronics) and of course I got a ms20, but it seems that the Lyra is a real lovely addition, when it comes to distorted raw electronics.
Anyone here on the board making heavy electronics? When I get one I’ll post some sounds
I used to have a Lyra-8 and I loved it, but at the time I wanted a more capable synth for sound design, so I got a Digitone. But I did miss running external audio through the FX section of Lyra — so I got the FX section as a eurorack module! My DFAMs are gonna love it!
Here’s a performance I recorded yesterday for International Drone Day '24.
I don’t have any examples ready to post right now, but I certainly dabble in harsh noise / industrial and the Lyra is absolutely wonderful for that kind of stuff. I do not ever plan to get rid of mine.
As much as I’ve seen people using the Lyra for softer ambient soundscape purposes, in my opinion the “soul” of the instrument is in the wild and harsh side of its sound. Hard to explain how much fun it is if you’re into noise.
If you end up taking the plunge, I don’t think you’ll regret it one bit.
This
Going through the Tascam and deleting old files and came across this.
I really like the cello/bowed cymbal sounds happening.
its on the chill side. I found it quite pretty
I was just thinking of selling the Lyra and now im leaning towards never selling the Lyra. Its just too damn cool and someday they wont be around.