Tindie

The BT110 is an incredibly innovative device, bringing a novel form of experimental sound synthesis to the handheld realm. Perfect for both coding enthusiasts and electronic musicians seeking cutting-edge sonic exploration, its stylish and modern casing houses a myriad of exciting sound tools which allow you to get hands on with a unique form of sound modulation known as Bytebeat.

Bytebeat is an emerging tool in music creation that uses very short mathematical functions to generate an infinite loop. When the loops output is formatted as raw pulse code modulated (PCM) audio, it generates interesting data patterns which sound magically melodic and musical.

The BT110 features 8 buttons and 3 dials which can be used to program entire formulas from scratch, with effortless saving and recall of previous programs. It includes a sampling mechanism which allows for dynamic manipulation of your sound on the fly, alongside controls for pitch modulation, tempo control, and prescaling of the formula.

This little device can create some incredible sounds – especially when paired with MIDI sequencing hardware. Impressively, the device even has a visualiser which translates your functions into enthralling pixel-dense animations! DOD Circuits has a live technical demonstration of the device on their youtube, used in tandem with a drum sequencer, which shows how easily it allows real-time experimentation with bytebeat code.

DOD Circuits are an independent electronics designer based in Nantes, France. Bringing such an exciting product as their first ever design shows the huge potential of their store, so keep an eye out for their next projects!

Keep Reading ›

The Turing Machine MKII Eurorack Module is a versatile random looping sequencer designed for composing evolving electronic music. Utilizing a 16-bit memory circuit called a shift register, this module produces a symphony of randomly changing control voltages that lock into loops ranging from 2 to 32 steps.

What really makes the Turing Machine such an engrossing instrument is its complex relationship with randomness. When synced to a CV clock signal, it transforms white noise data into spontaneous sonic sequences, controllable via onboard encoders or external CV sources. Its central knob twists to the right to catch these random pitches into a loop, which will repeat at a length specified by its second encoder.

Its most exciting feature is its ability to incrementally add elements of randomness back into sequences, creating an evolving musical composition almost entirely independently. With a little bit of input from the musician, this entertaining way to produce loops creates exciting, refreshing, and bouncy arpeggios!

Described by DivKid as the ‘real beating heart of a system’ in his video for Music Thing Modular, the Turing Machine infuses your Eurorack patches with captivating melodies and complex polyrhythms. Its intuitive interface gives you hands-on control over rhythm and pitch, creating a fast-paced and enjoyable platform for musical experimentation.

The Turing Machine MKII is produced by Synthrotek, a prolific creator from Washington, USA. It is available in DIY kits and fully assembled versions, and the Synthrotek store hosts a variety of complementary equipment to enhance your setup!

Keep Reading ›

The Arkanoid is a compact sound generator that skillfully packs the functionality of a theremin into your pocket. Drawing inspiration from the classic Atari Punk console, the Arkanoid is ready to become a unique and irreplaceable part of your synth setup, effortlessly controlled with just two tiny light sensors.

For over a century, the theremin has captivated musicians with its ability to be controlled entirely without physical contact, becoming a centrepiece of musical experimentation. Traditionally consisting of two long metal antennas, theremins detect the position of your hands using each individual sensor to complete capacitor circuits, using the measurements to produce their distinctive eerie and ethereal sounds.

The Arkanoid, however, uses modern light-resistant sensors to interpret your hand movements, which allows both classic theremin-style control and creative exploration using unusual light input methods. Featuring a 3.5mm audio output and two 3.5mm CV inputs for pitch and depth control, this scaled-down device is powered by three AA batteries and is much more portable than traditional theremins.

Created by prolific designer Sid Rockett at DIYSynths&Sounds, its high-quality build is ideal for experimentation. Based in Ostrava, Czechia, they offer worldwide shipping and feature an array of other exciting projects on their storefront!

Keep Reading ›

Why wait for the spotlight to shine on you, when you could just become the spotlight?! Whether you’re dancing, performing, or even in the tech booth – bring a cybernetic edge to your dancefloor looks with these unique sound-reactive LED Pasties!

These futuristic accessories by Cosmic Accents have been designed with fantastic attention to detail, creating an eye-catching fusion of technology and art. The three high-quality LEDs are mounted to a compact circular PCB board, which attaches to a 3D printed base available in three sizes. They include everything you need to get started, from wig tape to extra batteries!

Synchronising your futuristic fashion with mesmerising light shows is seamless with the pasties’ straightforward design. A simple two-button interface, on/off switch, and included replaceable 10-hour batteries mean you can make memories and have fun without the hassle of complicated menus.

Carefully programmed to react to the sounds around you, the 11 user-selectable patterns create the perfect mood lighting for your style! The first two patterns are fully sound-reactive and multi-coloured, but numerous single-colour options exist to coordinate with other accessories. Cleverly, the two final modes don’t react to sound, providing a consistent brightness level for film or photography.

Keep Reading ›

Synthesise, Improvise, Visualise. Draw intricate patterns using the SCOPE OLED Display Module, and experience robust visual audio analysis without leaving your eurorack. The oscilloscope display encourages innovative and experimental approaches to existing equipment, allowing artists to explore soundscapes using speedy frequency analysis and waveform shaping.

Painstakingly designed in the Modulove lab, this is a clean, classy, and compact module. Nestled perfectly into the geometric black and gold faceplate, the high-quality OLED screen and super tactile controls provide an exciting way to analyse your sound and add valuable new functions to your synthesiser.

This module currently has four inbuilt modes, controlled using the push-button rotary encoder, gain attenuator, and toggle switch. Together with the CV ins and outs, this module makes it very easy to access a fully featured customisable oscilloscope.

Built around an Arduino Nano, this module is perfect for hacking or reprogramming. With the Arduino IDE and a simple USB cable, you can effortlessly reprogram the microcontroller, unlocking even more potential from this already impressive design. Create your own modes, or push it even further and use this module as the basis for some experimental programming!

Whether you love an evening of satisfying soldering or want a ready-to-use module right out of the box, Modulove has you covered. This product can be purchased fully assembled, as a complete kit, or as PCBs and panels only. All kits come with SMD parts pre-soldered. If you’re looking for more assembly information before diving in, Modulove have even provided a detailed video build guide!

Keep Reading ›

Music is a melodic, entrancing, and entirely alien language that artists explore, expressing anything from their most base emotions to complicated feelings about our human experience. Contemporary music is usually filtered through a lens of preconceived input methods; keyboards, guitars, drum kits, and vocal cords. However, approaching music creation like a child might approach play encourages experimental and innovative compositions – and that’s where we meet the Drawdio.

This pretty pink pencil packs a phenomenal punch on paper, transforming artists into electronic pied pipers who use the natural conductivity of graphite to connect new pitches and timbres. Initially designed by Jay Silver, the sonic wizardry of this design is even easier to access with Los Aparatos‘ clean and pre-assembled construction. Not only do you receive a fully-assembled, well-designed iteration of the Drawdio – but this version even includes a direct audio output for super clean recordings!

There is a lot of documentation about the Drawdio online. Artists can learn a lot from the Drawdio website, where there are many tips and tricks to uncover, and Los Aparatos even provides a complete video guide in Spanish. If you want an example of how this device sounds, Los Aparatos can help out with this quick demo video!

Los Aparatos is an independent electronics engineer, teacher, and musician. Entranced by Arduino since 2008, this experienced maker is making their Tindie debut with this product – but I get the feeling they’ve got even more exciting ideas up their sleeve!

Keep Reading ›

Do androids dream of electric beeps? Reawaken the past with the MIDISID, a portable, standalone SID chip synthesizer, and create anything from dreamy electronic lullabies to jarring alarm tones. Tap into the distinctive chip-fueled style of this iconic chip and take your musical compositions into the era of classic video game music.

The Sound Interface Device (SID) chip was originally designed in 1982 for the Commodore 64, and creates a unique sound that many modern sound designers now covet. A vital component of a vast number of 80s and 90s video game soundtracks, the classic sound of this synthesizer brings a nostalgic groove to your compositions.

The MIDISID features an intuitive and highly visual user interface, including an LCD display and four potentiometers, making it easy to control and a joy to use. It is professionally mounted in a well-proportioned purple PCB casing that looks fantastic alongside other music equipment.

Controlling a SID chip using multiple rotary controls has been a long-term dream of the creator, MIDI IN. The ability to change so many parameters simultaneously opens up an entire world of musical possibility, and MIDI IN has even created (almost) a whole song using this device! Watching the video of them doing so really showcases how intuitive this instrument is and sparks so many creative ideas.

Keep Reading ›

Confuse your family and sneak some oscillation into the kitchen with the Drone Jar! Built inside a jar, this layered drone synth contains oscillators which react to light by changing pitch. This unusual control method forms unique, organic melodies which evolve as the environment changes.

The hardware is mounted to the lid of the glass jar, with the 9v battery and clean circuit board clearly visible. This is a refreshing design choice, and it is also essential to the synths function! Three highly sensitive light-dependent resistors conduct the oscillatory orchestra, changing the pitch of each voice independently when struck with any external light source.

The Drone Jar creates sound using three square-wave oscillators which modulate against each other to create dynamic tones. These oscillators alone already open up a wealth of sonic possibilities, but combined with the exciting control method, the Drone Jar becomes an inspiring and exploratory way to create music.

Though the Drone Jar is best suited to dark environments where light can be directed at the inputs, it also creates neat results outside in the sun. Check out the video demonstration, which uses a flashing bike light, to hear the endless potential of this little device!

Keep Reading ›

Creating music using hardware has its ups and downs – and any electronic musician knows the horror of not having enough inputs! This audio mixer is a brilliant option for effortlessly blending multiple sound sources. Exciting for any DIY-minded audio engineer, the highly customisable and deceptively simple circuit makes it easy to experiment with your equipment.

Packed into a rugged raw aluminium die-cut casing, this unassuming little device sits quietly in any music studio. Completely passive, requiring no power, its primary function is to combine any six audio inputs into a single output. However – it also has the unusual, and rather appealing, feature of being reversible! This allows it to be used as a one-input six-output mixer, making it an even more versatile studio tool.

Dealing with messy and complicated audio setups is incredibly frustrating, and often large-scale mixers come with a similarly large-scale price! A simple solution is often the most effective, and this mixer is the perfect affordable and easy-to-use answer to your audio mixing needs.

Keep Reading ›

Freaq FM is a certified sound design powerhouse built using Arduino. With an intuitive and melodic generative sequencer inspired by Elektron, Intellijel & Music Thing, it can stand independently or sync up with your favourite gear. Using its ingenious 16-step sequencer, artists can control two FM voices and create sounds ranging from soaring arps to slapping basslines – all in this tiny box.

Thanks to its sheer abundance of sonic features, the Freaq FM can easily create entire tracks. This impressive functionality allows artists to hone in on forming new ideas, and spend less time focused on making decisions. The idea of limiting your options when working creatively can seem quite daunting, but counterintuitively often encourages more experimental and deliberate work.

You can check out a bassline banger made entirely using the Freaq in the video below and see how easy it is to create using this thing!

The Freaq FM is beautifully designed and offers a choice of LED colour. Framing its eye-catching LED matrix display, the swirly faceplate boasts beautiful golden linework and clearly labelled parameters. Meebleeps also provide a brilliant quick-start guide and complete user manual for this synth, making setup even simpler.

Meebleeps Machines is an independent electronics designer based out of Melbourne, Australia. Keep an eye out for more amazing inventions from this creator, who recently decided to bring their audio creations to a broader audience!

Keep Reading ›