Hop Tactile - touch and play- Brooklyn SPEXPO 26

video upload by sonicstate

"Saima from Hop gave us a look at Tactile, an open-source standalone synth from Hop, developed from work in classrooms at Daniel's Music Foundation, a nonprofit working with disabled musicians.

Tactile is wireless, includes its own speaker and comes in light and dark colourways. The playing surface is pressure sensitive and has nine zones. The edges play a major scale, while the centre acts as a random sequencer. Additional areas control half-step bend, octave bend and a single-stage looper.

Patch changes use physical texture pads, with each pad linking a tactile surface to a matching sound character, including smoother and more bit-crushed responses. Key cards transpose the instrument; it defaults to A and changes key when a card is inserted.

Tactile is available from Hop's website. A separate Tactile Sidekick is in prototype and adds CV and MIDI interfacing for Eurorack and controller use.

More Info: https://hop-sounds.com"

Recusion DEMO

video upload by Arthur Joly

Formlessness: Live Looping on Handbuilt MIDI Instruments (LEDs + Pure Data)

video upload by

"This is a video recording of an improvisation without form, and maybe even without rhythm. Created with self-made instruments. More info on this project can be found at the following links:

https://smomid.com/
https://www.instagram.com/smomid/?hl=en
https://smomid.bandcamp.com/"

Soothing Ambient Synth Meditation | Isochronic Tones for Deep Calm

video upload by Smomid

"Soothing ambient synth meditation, performed live on glowing handmade synthesizers. Gentle isochronic tones, slow pulsing filters and soft bells to help you relax, unwind and find deep calm.

Use this music for meditation, relaxation, stress relief, yoga, studying, focus, or winding down before sleep. Isochronic tones work through regular speakers, so you don’t need headphones (though they sound lovely with them).

Everything you hear is played live, with no loops or pre-recorded tracks. The rhythmic filter movements are synced to the tones, and the LEDs respond as the music evolves. I synthesized the bell tones as well. All the audio was created using Pure Data open source programming software.

🎛️ About the instruments
All the instruments used in this video were designed and handmade by me. The blue boxes I call Pyramidi and the guitar shaped instrument I call a Smomid. There is some info available about these instruments at my website: Smomid.com"

OPEN-1 Concept

video upload by RedtailWorks

"OPEN-1: one synth, every firmware.

OPEN-1 is an idea for an open, entry-level synth: a 37-key instrument that becomes a new machine every time you pick a firmware from the SD card. In this concept video it runs a simulated HYP-1, in time with a real HYP-1 live take.

IDEAS PHASE: OPEN-1 is not a product yet. Nothing is for sale, the renders are concept art, and every spec and price below is a target, not a promise. I'm sharing it early to find out what you'd want from it.

TARGET SPECS
480 MHz Cortex-M7 (STM32H750), open toolchain (the FM-1 runs at 240 MHz)
32 MB of working memory for long delays, loops and samples (the FM-1 has about 432 KB)
16 MB of firmware flash plus a microSD library: keep several firmwares installed, swap from the menu
24-bit stereo audio in AND out, so it can be an effects box too
MIDI in and out (3.5 mm TRS), USB-C device and USB-C host
37 RGB-lit silicone keys, 8 velocity pads, 8 endless encoders, a thumbstick and 2 spring levers
4" 480×320 IPS screen, built-in speaker, headphone out, 3000 mAh battery
Wired only, no Bluetooth: lower latency, simpler to build
Target price: under $200

OPEN BY DESIGN
An open SDK and a browser emulator, so developers can build firmware before the hardware ships
A firmware jam before launch, with a community-voted firmware pack preloaded on every unit
Launch firmware ported from the FM-1 family: HYP-1, LOF-1, ECO-1 and GRAV-1

CLICK FOR MORE »

TyCoon Sequencer Part 2: CV Sequences

video upload by TheAnalogmonster

"Second part of the TyCoon Sequencer demo videos: The creation of CV sequences."

follow-up to this post.

TyCoon Sequencer Part 1: Teach In

video upload by TheAnalogmonster

"First video of my newest development, an Oberheim Two Voice Pro Sequencer inspired MIDI and CV sequencer for my TyCoon system. Smartass I am I added improvements and additional features:

• The sequencer manages several sequences in parallel, limited by the EEPROM size only.

• There is no sequence maximum length. The sequence lengths are limited by EEPROM size only.

• The sequencer operates with two different sequence types: Voltage sequences and MIDI sequences. Voltage steps are created via CV / NOTE potentiometer and STEP STORE trigger, MIDI steps via TEACH IN. The last records a MIDI sequence from an external source (other MIDI sequencer, keyboard etc.).

The steps are defined as voltage step or MIDI step by a corresponding step attribute bit.

The sequences are defined as voltage sequence or MIDI sequence by the corresponding attribute bit if its first steps.

• All sequence(r) data are kept in EEPROM automatically."

He Built a DIY Sequencer... And It Sounds Like This

video upload by human.motives

"My DIY sequencer is alive! First jams with BOTANICA, my DIY desktop MIDI sequencer.This is Part 2 to my BOTANICA first look video.

0:00 Intro
1:34 Jam 1
4:25 Jam 2
6:38 Jam 3

BOTANICA is a desktop hardware sequencer, not a eurorack module. It's a DIY synth and DIY electronics project built for hands-on control over melody, pattern length, probability and transposition. In this video I let it run across 3 full performances so you can hear what it does in a real setup.

Want to learn more? Visit https://humanmotives.org/ for all info, signup and more!"

Kraftor Performer: custom MIDI control with SpeakJet

video upload by Polaxis

"A custom MIDI controller driving Kraftor with a SpeakJet voice board.

This is one example of the Kraftor Performer approach: complete instruments and custom controllers designed together around your way of playing. Controls can be integrated into the instrument or housed separately and connected through 3.5 mm TRS MIDI Type B.

Custom builds:
https://www.polaxis.be/product/krafto...

Kraftor:
https://www.polaxis.be/product/kraftor/

SpeakJet firmware and information:
https://www.polaxis.be/kraftor-speakj...

#SpeakJet #Kraftor #Polaxis"

"Kraftor Performer is a family of custom speech instruments and MIDI controllers developed with each customer for performance, installations and experimental sound. The voice engine, controls, display, connections and enclosure are chosen for your project.

Choose an integrated instrument or a separate controller connected to Kraftor through 3.5 mm TRS MIDI Type B. The photographs show example builds; your instrument can take a different form.

Built to order. Price on request.
Pricing and lead time are agreed once the design and scope are defined."

Additional designed pictured below.

CLICK FOR MORE »

He Built the Scuttlebut kit from MadLab

video upload by Musical Miscellany & More

"I decided to try building one of the kits from MadLab. This is the Scuttlebut, a basic 2 oscillator synth with a simple interface. It's not super powerful, but it's a fun little build.

You can learn more about MadLab kits here: http://www.madlab.org/kits.html

BUILD SONG:
Into the Technodome by ‪@WhiteBatAudio‬

Intro - 0:00
Build - 0:51
Demo - 2:09
Final Thoughts - 5:50"

altstrument - A directory of custom and third-party firmware and tools for music hardware.

via the creator of the site:

"I just launched altstrument.org, a free directory of custom and third-party firmware and tools for music hardware.

It lists 544 custom firmwares and 88 host-side tools (editors, flashers, SDKs) across 120 devices from 45 manufacturers: Elektron boxes, Akai MPCs, Korg's logue synths, norns and monome, Mutable Instruments and Noise Engineering modules, the M-Vave FM-1, the Music Thing Workshop Computer and more. Each entry records who made it, where the source lives, its license, its version history and whether it's still maintained. The site links to the projects and never hosts firmware files.

CLICK FOR MORE »

PlantsSystem-CHRONOS v1.0.0 Full

video upload by plantssystem

"Raspberry Pi Pico製のグラニュラーシンセサイザー「CHRONOS」の動画です。
サイン波をベースに、短い音の粒(グレイン)を重ねて、ふわっとした響きを作ります。

■ 構成
・マイコン: Raspberry Pi Pico2
・オーディオ出力: Waveshare Pico-Audio (I2S)
・表示/操作: Waveshare Pico-LCD-1.3(ジョイスティック+ボタン)
・サンプルレート: 44.1kHz

CLICK FOR MORE »

Novation Circuit Tracks Firmware Hack

It finally happened! Circuit Tracks Hacked! video upload by Guinan

"Thread is here,
/ circuithacks_is_out_now_unofficial_custom

Official Github,
https://github.com/Ghillermo/CIRCUITS..."

via Redit:

"NEW UPDATE: Beta1 is finishing internal testing and will be released soon. You can update with the upload tool. Thanks everybody for their input. I tried to include most of your requests (and some of my own) when it was possible, some of them I did my own take, trying to satisfy similar goals into a single approach. Now we have a couple new effects, you can save synth engine's patches, customize your macro Knobs from the device, pattern link, scene repeat, copy and re-arrange stuff inside or between packs... Check GitHub for a full list. All stock functions remain the same. Message me, submit a request on the GitHub or reply to this thread for fixes, new features or clarifications. A demo will maybe come, after a rest. If anyone wants to share theirs, be my guest."

Features for the archives, via Github:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Fluyt - Felucca synth engines for Korg drumlogue & microKORG2

And via Regroove | RGRV on reddit:

"This is generated code, but mostly with my own code as reference (such as examples, build infra).

Don't want the FM-1 to have all the fun by themselves. Let's join them ..."

via https://rgrvdotnl.itch.io/fluyt-logue

"Fluyt - Felucca's engines for logue

Felucca is an open firmware for the M-VAVE FM-1, a small synthesizer built around a JieLi pi32v2 DSP. Its sound engines are plain integer C, self-contained, and each one is a different way of 'whistling'. Fluyt takes nine of them and ships each as its own KORG drumlogue or KORG microKORG2 unit.

This is based on Felucca and associated FM-1 firmware which is mostly AI-assisted code. Personal examples, units, and build-infra code were used to create these units.

Why Fluyt?
The name is symbolic, as fluyt is a kind of Dutch vessel, mostly used for trade during the 16th century. Just like in the old days, I hope this 'trading' will happen between the communities. And, the word also means whistle."

Side note: Felucca is by Hügelton Instruments. You can find additional posts mentioning Felucca here.

3rd Party Unofficial Sequential Prophet‑5 / Prophet‑10 Rev4 Firmware Mods

via GitHub

prophet-rev4-mods

version 2.3.0

An arpeggiator and a polyphonic step sequencer for the Sequential Prophet‑5 / Prophet‑10 Rev4, added to Sequential's own Main OS 2.1.0 as a firmware patch. You apply the patch to your copy of the official OS in your browser and install the result over USB like any OS update. Everything is controlled from the front panel.

Built on someone else's idea. The notion of patching the Rev4's firmware, and the proof that it works, belong to another person: an arpeggiator mod that circulated privately showed the way and set the control conventions this project keeps (A440 as the arp button, Bank/Group for modes, Glide Rate for tempo). This project began as additions chained in front of that mod and makes several additions — the polyphonic sequencer with rests and ties, the keyboard octave shift, tap tempo, patch memory, tempo divisions, and more.

New here? The walkthrough takes you through every feature at the instrument, step by step; the manual below is the reference.

Not affiliated with Sequential. This is a hobby project that modifies the instrument's firmware. Installing a modified OS is at your own risk and may void your warranty. Only the project's own code, tooling and notes are published here; Sequential's OS files are not redistributed, which is why you supply your own copy.

What it adds

CLICK FOR MORE »

KASSER SYNTHS: Data science on 93,000+ Sega Genesis FM presets | Ludo2026 talk

video upload by KASSER SYNTHS

"In August we presented at Ludo2026: a data science look at more than 93,000 Sega Genesis / Mega Drive FM presets for the YM2612.

What we found:
Algorithm 4 with max feedback dominates.
Games leave algorithm fingerprints.
GEMS speaks a different grammar.

Explore all seven sonic realms in DAFMExplorer, our open source preset explorer:
https://dafm-explorer.vercel.app
Source code: https://github.com/kassersynths/DAFME...

Read the full write-up on our blog:
https://kassersynths.com/ludo2026-seg...

Want to hear a bank on real hardware? Load a DefleMask .dmp on a real YM2612:
https://kassersynths.com/load-deflema...

Kasser Synths makes FM synthesizers with real Yamaha chips, built in Santander, Spain.
https://kassersynths.com"

He Ripped a Synth Out of an Organ! Riha Orchestra 1978 Organ Rehomed

video upload by Vintage Keys Studio

"Steve Christie demonstrates the wonderful Riha Synthesizer which was taken from a large Riha Orchestra organ, and has now been fitted into a new standalone enclosure."

AI250 BXR Eurorack Test Equipment Mangling CV Edition

video upload by AI Synthesis

"A quick Demo video running an envelope and sine wave LFO into the BXR and getting variations of mangled control voltage. The audio is a static Sawtooth wave being filtered, and the filter being modulated by the mangled CV. For context, the CV input sources are all either a simple Saw style ADSR or sine wave.

The AI250 BXR is a eurorack module inspired by vintage nuclear test equipment. It can be used as an audio mangler, cv generator, and VCO. The BXR is a nod to vintage Boxcar Averagers, which were designed to acquire and analyze fast signals. The AI250 specifically replicates the real-time mathematical portion of a Boxcar Averager System, and processes audio or cv signals against either another signal or its internal v/o variable wave-shape VCO."

PlantsSystem-CHRONOS v1.0.0

video upload by plantssystem

"CHRONOS – a tiny granular synth built on a Raspberry Pi Pico2

CHRONOS is a DIY granular synthesizer running on a Raspberry Pi Pico 2(RP2350), with a Waveshare Pico-Audio DAC and a 1.3" Pico-LCD. It layers long, overlapping grains (roughly 0.7 to 3 seconds each) into slow, soft, ambient textures.

Features:

Grains are drawn from four waveforms: Sine, Triangle, Soft Saw and Bell

Four selectable scales: Hirajoshi, Miyako-bushi, Ryukyu and a Maj7 progression, with the chord changing automatically

Stereo ping-pong delay with feedback

Auto-pan that lets each grain drift across the stereo field

5-step tone control (low-pass), plus a Freeze function that sustains the current grains

The LCD shows every grain live: height is pitch, horizontal position is stereo placement, and size/brightness follows each grain's envelope"

Designing a Module - Prototype itteration with Instruō

video upload by Instruō

"In 2015/16 Instruō began as a video project. Specifically a time-lapse of me designing the original troika module.
Ten years later, I’ve returned to that idea with ceithir, a winter holiday project I designed with video documentation in mind.

Before the first full sized (58HP quad) ceithir hardware prototype, I focussed on a single filter channel version. This video covers the second prototype iteration of this single channel version. It was a pretty significant revision from the first one, but paved the way for the quad design.
The filter core board was designed with this design, which remained almost fully unchanged in its final form (I changed one resistor value).

CLICK FOR MORE »

8 voice poly to 12 voices

video upload by Craig Barnes

"This is the synth I made last year which was an 8 voice bi-timbral analogue polysynth with AS3340 VCOs and AS3372 filters in matrix 12 configuration. As happy as I was with the synth I thought it would be great to make use of what I've learnt on my last 12 voice DCO polysynth and apply it to this build. So I created some smaller 6 voice cards, made the LFOs in software on the PICOs and rewrote all the controller software. Early days, but it's sort of working, one voice card is slight louder than the other and it's effects don't work. I'm sure there is a lot more to do yet."