The Koma Elektronik Field Kit is an innovative electro-acoustic workstation. It is designed to create sound from everyday objects by processing signals from a variety of sources, such as microphones, contact microphones and sensors. The Field Kit has seven functional blocks that can be used together as a standalone workstation or can be used in conjunction with other electronic units, such as synthesizers and drum machines, with the ability of using CV signals. The heart of the unit is the 4 channel mixer. This fully functional mixer provides individual Gain, Mix and Tone controls with individual master control and auxiliary sub-mixes. The CV Radio section is capable of receiving AM/FM and SW radio frequencies. These transmissions can then be processed further in the Field Kit. The required antennae are included. The Envelope Follower section allows for full-wave rectification and low-pass filtering. This section also includes a Gate Out socket.
The Low Frequency Oscillator section has a choice of three waveforms; Square, Triangle and a mix of both. The LFO can be used to create a simple drone sound source. The DC Interface section is a unique part of the Field Kit. The output voltages can be used to run small motors, fans, solenoids, buzzers and control them with CV signals. The sounds and vibrations of these items can be picked up with the microphones, contact microphones and the electromagnetic pickup. The signal interface section is used to transform the raw signals from a variety of sensors into signals that can be used with the Field Kit of other equipment. You can trigger or control sound by light, heat, humidity, distance, speed, acceleration, proximity, pressure, force or level (depending on the type of sensor). The Field Kit comes with a detailed manual in order to get the most from your unit.
I was super excited about receiving my Field kit, I’d done my research, already had it’s sister, the Field kit Fx and the dv247 price was the best going. Fours days later it arrived (fast for isolation postage for sure!) and I could wait to inbox.
I did, and was met with a mainland Europe power supply- not ideal. Worst still the unit itself had come loose in its wooden box. Loosing the nuts and looking inside, the tint 1cm plywood cubes that hold the pub in place had shattered. Not a great start.
It’s ok, I messaged Koma electronik, they said they were surprised that a 1cm cube of plywood had come off - transport must have been rough. “We used pro wood glue”
They also said they had run out of uk psu units.
Essentially, tough, get over it, enjoy your product.
Not impressed with the aftercare, especially after I’d written them a nice email.
For a variety of reasons, I've decided that I want to add music to my existing arts practice and was unsure about how to progress but a few videos online and a bit of research showed that this was an ideal module for integrating with non-musical sound sources to allow them to be used in a musical environment.
This is very easy to use but powerful, taking inputs from a variety of sensors and other sources - such as contact microphones and the like - and also allowing for the control of external elements by the musical sources. Using this two-way process allowed me to create soundscapes very, very quickly and I have no formal musical background at all.
It loses a point or two for being a little 'crowded' but I do have very large hands.
After watching several informative YouTube videos I decided to take the plunge into the incredibly fluid world of the Koma Field Kit. It's a joy to feed things into it, through it, and out the other side, and some times back into it. Bloody marvelous! If you're into lo-fi, glitchy, noisy soundtrack-y ambience with the possibility of riding the apocalyptical neddy of randomness, this thing is for you. Can't wait for Christmas and treating myself to the Field Kit FX!
Wonderful toy lots of fun. But feels less than professionally put together compared to high end studio gear. Interference between modules, noise, awkward faders (and one was bent). But enjoying it none the less. Contact mics very poor quality. Electret mic distorts on even gentle signals, some other grumbles
This is such a great little box!
Really beautiful design and the build quality is solid.
I bought it with the field kit expansion pack and experimenting with the DC outs and solenoids etc is great fun.