SOMA Laboratory have issued a call for help, reaching out to the online community to assist them in sourcing electronic components that are essential for the production of their popular PULSAR-23 drum synthesiser.
The Moscow-based company have been lauded for their innovative, left-field and often rather strange instruments, with the PULSAR-23 following on from the Lyra-8 drone synth, an instrument that has garnered something of a cult following.
According to this Facebook post, SOMA Laboratory are suffering the effects of a global component shortage, one that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Specifically, they are looking for STM32F446RET6 chips, at a minimum of 500 units but ideally up to 5000.
SOMA are offering a free PULSAR-23 as a tantalising prize for anyone who can point them in the direction of these elusive chips, as well as a 2 week stay at their SOMA Zanzibar community getaway.
The global shortage of electronic components was widely reported earlier this year, but it seems many smaller companies are bearing the brunt of the crisis as major corporations buy up the dwindling stock. There is sure to be more to this story as many say the worst is still to come, and SOMA Laboratory will certainly not be the last company to struggle to meet their production targets.
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