SOMA Laboratory ETHER V2 | Wideband Electromagnetic Field Receiver & Sound Sniffer

The SOMA Ether is a wide-band receiver designed to allow users to perceive the electromagnetic landscape surrounding them.

Unconventional Anti-Radio Functionality
Functioning as an unconventional form of anti-radio, the SOMA Ether does not discriminate among radio signals like traditional radios. Instead, it captures all forms of interference and radiation within the electromagnetic spectrum, from hertz to gigahertz. Unlike radios equipped with tuned input circuits that filter out unwanted frequencies, the Ether captures radio waves "as is," allowing it to detect the unintentional electromagnetic emissions created by human activity. This unique capability enables live electromagnetic field listening and recording.

Drawing Inspiration from Early Radios
The inspiration for the Ether project draws from the design of early 1900s radios, which lacked tuning wheels and were primarily used for Morse code transmissions. Each transmitter at that time had its distinct timbre or "voice," making it possible to distinguish them by ear.

Compact and Efficient Design
Regarding physical attributes, the Ether is pocket-sized, measuring 103x58x17mm, and is lightweight at 73g with batteries. It operates on two AAA batteries, and its remarkable energy efficiency is evident from the fact that the initial set of alkaline batteries in the prototype lasted for six years. It has a battery life of over 300 hours when using alkaline or lithium batteries.

Attention to Aesthetics and Quality
Considerable attention has been given to the design of the Ether, making it a unique accessory for the modern conscious individual. Crafted with specially designed European enclosures and high-quality PCB and furniture, the Ether offers a distinctive sound experience and an aesthetically pleasing, high-quality gadget.

Dual Sensing Components for Radiation
The Ether incorporates both magnetic and electric components for sensing radiation. Its built-in magnetic antenna, reminiscent of the antennas used in early long-wave radios, offers maximum sensitivity along the Ether's axis. Altering the Ether's orientation, angle, and position will result in changes in the captured sound. The electric component features antennas printed on the PCB and special input pins on the front surface.

Enhanced Antenna Capabilities in Ether V2
Ether V2 introduces two external antenna pins, allowing users to touch conductive materials or surfaces, including their bodies, to function as a large external antenna. This unique feature produces varied sounds, and experimenting with different metal objects or materials, such as rails, tubes, metallic doors, or parts of buildings, can yield intriguing results. The two pins are connected to different points in the circuit and interact differently with electromagnetic waves. Switching between them or using both simultaneously allows users to manipulate the captured sound. In less urban settings, connecting a piece of wire measuring 1-4 meters to one of the pins can yield fascinating auditory experiences.

Precise Sound Control with Dual Wheels
The Ether V2 has two control wheels for adjusting sound and power settings. The upper wheel controls high-frequency amplification and regeneration, allowing users to focus the Ether on different levels of surrounding interference and obtain rich and captivating soundscapes. The lower wheel adjusts the volume.

More Than an Inductive Sniffer
Unlike simple inductive sniffers found online, the Ether is not limited to close-range scanning. While it can perceive low-frequency magnetic fields, its unique regenerative circuit and demodulator distinguish it as a true radio wave receiver rather than a mere amplifier of low-frequency fields. However, the Ether can also detect the electric component of radiation, capturing frequencies well beyond the audio range with higher sensitivity. Consequently, it is designed for use during urban walks and can even pick up sounds in forested or coastal environments.

Sensitivity to Digital Circuitry and Recording
The Ether's sensitivity to nearby digital circuitry necessitates precautions, such as maintaining a minimum distance of 30 cm/1 ft from other electronic devices like phones, laptops, or recorders. Nevertheless, it functions effectively even when carried alongside such devices in pockets and bags.

Versatile Output and Recording
The Ether's output is a standard 3.5mm stereo jack with parallel L and R contacts, resulting in a mono output. To record Ether's output, users should connect it to a recording device, such as a ZOOM recorder, using an audio cable at least 1m/3ft in length. Although Ether can produce distinct sounds when connected to recording equipment, the purest experience is achieved with headphones. Some sounds, however, may remain best experienced through personal perception.

Blip Expert Take

The SOMA ETHER V2 is an absolute dream machine for foley artists, field recordists, and experimental industrial sound designers. It is important to emphasize that ETHER is not a simple budget inductive sniffer like the DIY kits floating around the web. Simple sniffers contain nothing more than a basic copper coil wire hooked up to a low-frequency amplifier, meaning they stay completely dead silent unless you press them directly up against a power block.

SOMA engineered ETHER with a full high-frequency regenerative circuit and a dedicated demodulator, making it an actual wideband radio wave receiver. When you walk down a city street with this in your hand, you aren't just amplifying local hum; you are intercepting the high-frequency digital clock cycles of street lamps, neon grids, cell towers, and underground transformers. It feels less like an audio recorder and more like gaining a brand-new cybernetic sensory organ.