Atomo Mochika

Extremely easy to use. 8 continuous knobs arranged in a neat row mark the pitch for each note of the 8-step sequencer. There are also 8 toggles above these knobs to turn on/off the corresponding step. Other knobs are equally well labeled and do exactly what they are supposed to.

This little guy is handmade by Alfredo from Peru. I understand that he has released a version 2 of the machine (which supports sync-ing via MIDI). My first edition has no MIDI but is sync-able through a 1/4" trigger input.

Essentially, it is a simple monophonic synthesizer with a built-in 8 step sequencer. It has a cv and gate out so you can use it to sequence an external vintage synthesizer. No memory storage (for patches and sequences) so it is one of those what-you-see-is-what-you-get machines. I rate "5" on this category for the version 1 I have. I would probably raise it to an 8 or 9 if my box comes with MIDI support (which makes it even more useful for integrating computer sequencers with cv/gate synths). As it is, its 8-step sequencer does not automatically reset to step 1 when I re-start so it is quite limiting in that sense.

It has 896 effects...no i'm kidding. It has none. But it is ok because you have external effects processors to do that kind of job.

Quite basic here...this little box has a VCO (selectable between square and sawtooth) and a LFO (square/triangle) which modulates the VCO. There is also a handy white noise generator for synthesizing percussive sounds. The VCO range is very wide so be careful with your speakers when tweaking. No VCF...quite a pity; but with a sherman filterbank...hmm....

My experience using it has been mixed. In the studio, I found it quite hard to tame (both in terms of the sync-ing to an external clock (see my comments in the section above), which I believe the new v2 would have addressed, as well as fine control of the VCO); but its weirdness and haphazardness proved to be its strength when I took it out for a live improvisation gig (with 2 other players).

I still have not used it much in the studio but I'm saving it for live gigs of a more experimental nature.

Looks like a well built machine, in a handmade kinda way. The clear acrylic case allows its innards to show themselves in their glory and its bright LED lights can serve both as a reading light and a communication set for ET to signal to his mothership.

I have not switched it on for more than 6 months but I have strong suspicion that it will work just fine when I do.

Alfredo answers your emails personally. You should be able to find sufficient information about him and his products online...try http://atomolabs.blogspot.com/

I have owned my Mochika for almost a year. It is affordable and quirky, and I am surprised no one has wrote a review on it yet. I decided I would return Alfredo's favor for building me this box (at a very reasonable price...US$200+ I believe) by writing my first review on harmony-central.

What I love about it is its unpredictability and quirkiness. This works to its strength or disadvantage depending on your perspective and preference. Sound-wise, it is a cross between a raging wild horse and a wily meandering snake. A VCF will be a nice addition for v3 perhaps? One thing for sure, it doesn't sound much like anything else I have, and thats great!

I have been messing with synthesizers from the late 80s (my first experience with sequencing was on a Roland D-20). In more recent years, income from my day job has helped me to own synthesizers which I could not afford as a teenager. I like both digital and analog gear, and they play their unique roles in my home setup.