Venus Theory has released Auras:Lichen, a new free Decent Sampler library. This instrument was built from the Soma Terra, an esoteric wooden synthesizer with touch‑sensitive pads known for organic, evolving textures.
Auras:Lichen focuses on dual‑layer, user‑selectable sources, captured as individual performances. Instead of traditional multisampling, every note was sampled one by one to preserve pitch drift and timbral nuance from the Terra’s unpredictable core.
Terra To Textures
The core workflow lets you blend any two sources to sculpt moving pads and atmospheres. Because the Terra doesn’t repeat the same way twice, the captures deliver subtle motion even at static settings, useful for ambient beds, scoring cues, and textural pop layers.
Engine & Controls
Inside Decent Sampler, Lichen uses the “auras” engine with controls for Expression, Dynamics, Filtering, and built‑in Effects. The latest Decent Sampler adds Source Select knobs so you can choose and combine layers on the fly. A custom set of experimental Impulse Responses (IRs) is included for transformative spaces and tonal shaping.
The library ships with 20 handmade presets plus an Init preset. Beware: some combinations can push into feedback‑like, saturated swells – very musical, but intentionally wild.
Features
- Free Decent Sampler library by Venus Theory
- Built from Soma Terra performances (one‑by‑one note sampling)
- Dual‑layer engine with user‑selectable sources (Source Select knobs)
- “Auras” engine controls: Expression, Dynamics, Filtering, Effects
- Experimental IR collection tailored for Lichen
- 20 presets included + Init
- Organic, evolving pads and textures in under 200 MB
Formats & Requirements
Requires the free Decent Sampler plugin (macOS/Windows/Linux; also available on iOS). Load Auras:Lichen inside Decent Sampler.
Free Download
Auras:Lichen library for Decent Sampler is available as a free download from Venus Theory’s Gumroad.


