Video: Watch Alessandro Cortini Explore the Strega

Make Noise and Alessandro Cortini have been teasing their collaboration over the past few weeks, and it's finally here: the Strega.

So, what is it exactly? A lot of that is up to you to find out. But we were able to connect with Alessandro Cortini himself to get you started. In the video above, watch him construct soundscapes and patch sounds in a variety of unique and different ways that show off the Strega's capabilities.

As you might expect, it's an experimental unit. The manual—usually, a clarifying document—plays up the mystery and even cautions, "It is not important to fully understand the Strega itself." However, knowing the typical Make Noise control structure will help you on your explorations.

The Strega takes the form factor of the 0-Coast, the company's semi-modular desktop synth, and takes its cues from Cortini's own work and sonic atmospheres. It's a full synth voice with a characterful delay—reminiscent of a cassette tape's noise floor and wobble—and a feedback loop.

It's also designed to be controlled by the 0-Ctrl controller/sequencer (released in 2020) or patched alongside the 0-Coast.

The front panel of the Make Noise Strega

Outside of these basic features and functionality, there are suggested connections drawn on the front panel, some of which you can patch via cable, and others that will need to be pressed into action. The Strega's Touch Agitators and Gateways are activated by pressing two or more fingers to make the connections.

And with the Strega, you're not limited by the sound of its own oscillators. Thanks to an External Substance In (with its own Strength or gain knob), you can bring other instruments, at signals ranging from Modular Level to Line Level.

Make Noise's official release livestream

Features, according to Make Noise, are:

  • Patchable with 7 sources and 13 destinations
  • Touch Bridges and Gateways for momentary modulation routings
  • Compatible w/ Eurorack Modular Synthesizer Signals
  • Input for combining with or processing outside sounds
  • Includes patch cables, output cable, and AC Adapter
  • Headphone and Line Level Amplifier as well as Eurorack Output
  • Small Rugged Steel Enclosure
  • Same form factor as 0-Coast and 0-CTRL

To really understand, you'll have to hear it in action and experiment with it yourself. Watch Alessandro Cortini explore the Strega above, and order your own Strega on Reverb now.

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