Dato DUO Synthesizer for Two Launches on Kickstarter

A desktop synth with two two front panel interfaces. One dedicated to the sequencer and one to the synthesizer. Dato just started a Kickstarter campaign to fund it here. An early bird DUO runs $301 or €269.

"Dato DUO synthesizer for two launches on Kickstarter

A synthesizer and a sequencer in one package – for two players. Starts at €269.

Today, Dutch synthesizer startup Dato launches their Kickstarter campaign for the Dato DUO. Designed to be played by two, the DUO combines a synthesizer and sequencer into one electronic instrument that is aimed at children and adults alike.

"We believe synthesizers are too much fun to be left to grown-ups alone", says Dato co-founder David Menting. Musicians and non-musicians of all ages were involved in the design process, resulting in a unique and robust instrument. Co-founder Toon Welling: "We put all the things we liked most about other synths into one instrument".

The wedge-shaped electronic instrument houses a synthesizer on one side and a sequencer on the other. The eight-step circular sequencer has a pentatonic keyboard to play melodies into it, with further buttons and knobs to change those melodies on the fly. David: "We chose to limit the keyboard to five notes per octave so that any melody you play will sound in harmony.”

The other side of the instrument controls the synthesizer. Two large sliders control the two digital oscillators and the filter-cutoff frequency, with basic envelope controls to shape the sound. Effects and percussion can be added using two touch pads, making for a robust and versatile instrument even beginners can use. Toon: “You can’t do anything wrong on the DUO!"

The Kickstarter campaign runs from 27 May until 26 June. The first 100 early-bird backers can pre-order the synth for €269 (approx. $300), with regular Dato DUOs going for €299. Additional rewards include a limited all-black edition and a Kickstarter-only poster that can be folded into a paper Dato DUO model named the “Dato Acapella”.

About Dato
Based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, Dato creates musical instruments for future generations. Starting from the belief that making music is fun and should be so from the first time you try it, a Dato instrument is always out of the ordinary, yet easy to use.

While the DUO is Dato's first product, founders Toon and David have a few years of experience under their belt in the Dutch design landscape. Toon was recently selected by the Dutch Association of Designers (BNO) to participate in their Driving Dutch Design program for talented young Dutch designers. And David has run a successful consultancy bureau for interactive product design for the past six years."