"PlantsSystem has released 'KOSMOS2 – Pico2 Edition,' a new version featuring the PRA32-U2/M synth engine.
This version ports KOSMOS2's 4-part generative architecture to the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 (RP2350), achieving stable real-time synthesis through a multi-core DSP, I2S audio, and independent sound engines for each part.
Key Features of KOSMOS2 Pico2 Edition: - **4 independent generative parts** (Melody / Bass / Chords / Sequence) - **PRA32-U2/M engine running on Core 1** with stable 44.1kHz I2S output - **Real-time control via TouchOSC or external MIDI** - **Automatic generation of scales, chords, arpeggios, and patterns** - **Color-coded note visualization** integrated with the hardware UI - **Fully deterministic generative behavior** with per-part randomization - **Optimized for the RP2350**, delivering improved DSP headroom and stable multi-synth operation
This release marks the first fully stable port of KOSMOS2 to the Pico 2 platform, incorporating fixes for RP2350 DSP initialization behavior and optimizations for the PRA32-U2/M process loop timing.
KOSMOS2 Pico2 Edition is released for integration into custom hardware builds."
AI‑powered neural sampling evolves into a more integrated, performance‑ready hardware concept, debuting at Superbooth Berlin
Berlin, Germany, May 7, 2026 — Roland Future Design Lab (Superbooth B023 & B026), the forward‑looking research division of Roland Corporation, and Tokyo-based AI music technology company Neutone today announced Project LYDIA Phase 2, a refined evolution of their experimental AI‑powered neural sampling pedal concept. Shaped by months of direct feedback from musicians, developers, and live performers, Phase 2 moves the project closer to a fully self‑contained, performance‑ready hardware platform.
Project LYDIA Phase 2 builds on the technology preview first unveiled in November 2025 and will make its public debut at Superbooth Berlin (May 7–9), offering attendees hands‑on access to the latest iteration.
Phase 2: Integrated, Performance‑Ready, and More Expressive
Responding directly to feedback gathered through live demos, industry showcases, and global surveys, Project LYDIA Phase 2 introduces several key hardware enhancements:
Refined hardware design with enhanced flexibility, supporting easier Raspberry Pi 5 installation and standalone USB MIDI controller operation Fully integrated audio I/O, eliminating the need for an external USB audio interface Onboard LCD display for clearer navigation and real‑time parameter feedback User Preset memories for saving control settings and more MIDI connectivity for deeper control, automation, and integration with existing studio and live rigs
A Feedback‑Led Approach to AI Hardware Design
Roland Future Design Lab partnered with Neutone to introduce Project LYDIA as an open, public‑facing experiment: exploring how neural sampling could be embodied in a tactile, musician‑centered hardware format. The initial prototype quickly generated strong interest from many corners, prompting extensive dialogue about workflow, control, and musical expressiveness.
“From the very first demos with professional audio developers through the overwhelming response from musicians worldwide, it was clear that Project LYDIA was resonating,” said Paul McCabe, LA‑based leader of Roland Future Design Lab. “That dialogue directly shaped Phase 2. This version reflects what creators told us they want from AI hardware in real musical contexts, while also bringing forward new ideas from our team.”
Rather than positioning AI as a replacement for musicianship, Project LYDIA emphasizes augmentation and control, allowing performers to interact with neural models in immediate, physical, and musically expressive ways. The familiar pedal format places AI processing into a workflow many musicians already trust, bringing transparency and tactility to technology often associated with screens and abstraction.
This feedback‑driven development aligns with Roland’s broader commitment to responsible AI innovation, as outlined by AI For Music, the initiative co‑founded by Roland and Universal Music Group to establish ethical principles for AI use in music creation.
Debuting at Superbooth and Beyond
Project LYDIA Phase 2 will debut publicly at Superbooth Berlin, followed by appearances at Audio Developers Conference Tokyo in early June and select additional events throughout 2026. RFDL and Neutone will continue gathering insights from creators both in person and online to inform future iterations of the project.
Music creators interested in learning more or contributing feedback can participate in a new survey here.
"TR-6oh6 is a CPU upgrade and MIDI interface for the Roland TR-606. It adds an improved sequencer, additional instruments, live performance features and MIDI."
"Etches is a layered soundscape synthesizer. It's a palette for playing with sound, sketching melodic sections and building evolving tapestries. It moves between cinematic washes, percussive pizzicatos, and atmospheres worn smooth through ambient processing.
Inspired by live modular techniques, Etches is built upon classic synthesis and tape music traditions. Etches’s main engine includes a complex oscillator, a splice recorder and built in space processing.
We designed Etches to be performed. Every control is on the surface, and every gesture is audible the moment you make it. There are no traditional envelopes or filters here. You shape the timbre as you play.
Pick a root note and choose from twelve scales and modes and the pads stay locked to that key while you move. It's hard to play a wrong note, which means you can focus on phrasing instead of finger positions.
At the center is a monophonic voice generator and a splice recorder with overdub, so you can layer sounds into something bigger than individual patches. An internal LFO moves against each splice, modulating where the recording starts and ends. It's a behavior we first used in our LAPS and JOTS pedals. Around all of that: a tape-style delay, and a stereo space processor you can get lost in.
Etches Features: • Four articulation pads that control contour, timbre-shaping and animation • Musical overdrive with soft clipping • 80-second multi-splice recorder for capturing ideas and layering sounds • Stereo space processor with tape-style delay and a pristine reverb. • Stereo output • Runs on a standard Boss-style 9V power supply"
You can find a link to the manual and addtional details at Puremagnetik
"This is a fully functioning Polysynth using an ESP32-S3 to model the audio in real time, from an initial single Sine wavetable calculated on power up. The control panels for the oscillators and common controls all use CAN bus to communicate parameter changes to the audio engine - rather than wiring up a lot of IO, it just sends a message like 'Change oscillator 3 to Sawtooth'
Basic spec so far:
6 oscillators in 3 pairs that have Sine / Triangle / Saw / Pulse / Noise and Chaos waveforms. There are then independent wave folding modifiers and Sample and hold modifiers. Each oscillator pair can also be hard sync'd to it's partner for mono use, or FM modulated.
Common controls have ADRS envelope control, High / Low / Band pass filter with Envelope and tracking control. Ring modulator and Play mode selector for Unison / Duo / Poly. 2 re-triggerable LFO's with delay.
Currently working on the routing section that will allow pretty well anything to modulate anything else stored as separate routes - up to 12 routes can be applied at once. Then patch storage and recall, and hopefully some nice analogue FX at the end.
In the clip, all the audio is straight out the back of the DAC with no processing or FX."
"Shadowbox is a lightweight Raspberry Pi runtime/control layer for RNBO patches: it runs on the Pi, discovers or connects to an RNBO runner, and provides a small hardware-oriented interface for viewing and adjusting patch parameters. In short, it turns a Pi into a self-contained, tactile RNBO instrument/controller box.
Up to 25 faders with LEDs
Up to 12 pots with various knob options
Up to 8 buttons with various color choices
Up to 20 LEDs to show button states, various shapes and sizes
Full color printed FR4 front panel
A layered architecture with up to 4 layers
MIDI input and output via TRS-A MIDI. Adapters to DIN are included
USB MIDI connection
MIDI router for USB, DIN and controller data allows the connection in multiple ways
Also works as a USB MIDI to TRS MIDI interface
Can be powered from a USB host or standard USB-C power supply
Powder coated sheet metal case 14 x 11.5 x 1.8cm, black
Easy configuration change via MIDI
Firmware update via USB"
"Really wanted something OP-1 sized but more performance focused (and cheaper), so i made it myself. It runs on AMY, i've currently added the built-in patches and implemented a BLE MIDI keyboard mode, later will start adding my own instruments.
Originally planned to use korg nanokey2 as the keybed, but the feel was so bad that i had to switch to low-profile mechanical key switches.
Overall extremely happy with the result, especially given that it's my first big electronics project"
"A while back, I took a look at the Pet Rock temporal synthesis module. Supra is the follow up to that module. It produces different rhythms, CV, and melodies based on the passage of time. It actually pairs nicely with Pet Rock.
Time Travel CV Playground
A new Eurorack module from Jonah Senzel, creator of Pet Rock
Input & Output Jacks
The top of the module features eight jacks labeled for dual-hand control:
Left Hand in 1 & 2 (Top left)
Left Hand out 1 & 2 (Bottom left)
Right Hand in 1 & 2 (Top right)
Right Hand out 1 & 2 (Bottom right)
Core Controls
SWAP BUTTON: * Switches which hand you're viewing and controlling.
The other hand continues to run in the background.
Hold to place a new object in the current hand.
JOYSTICK: * Up, Down, Left, Right, and Click (Push In).
MENU: * Menu with extra features of current mode.
OPT: * Extra button for use in some modes.
"After stringing along my followers on Mod Wiggler, I have finally made a video demonstrating the core circuitry of my polyphonic synthesizer project, the DS-3100 -- my homage to the Korg PS-3100, but done in Doc Sketchy style, with PCBs laid out in Excel, fully handmade and based entirely on my own original circuitry."
"This is the new Public Domain SID or PDSID by Matthias. I hope to be able to make and supply these with MIDISID. In the mean time, they're available direct from him and can easily be fitted.
You might recall KOSMOS from previous posts here. Plantssystem aka GreyScale wrote in to let us know the source code has been released. Details and link to the github repository follow.
"KOSMOS is a compact, self‑contained generative MIDI sequencer built on the Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040).
Power it on, and it immediately begins producing evolving melodic patterns — no DAW, no clock source, no setup.
The project combines a Euclidean rhythm engine, Japanese‑mode melodic generation (Hirajoshi / Insen / Miyakobushi), and a 240×240 LCD UI for real‑time visualization of steps, probabilities, and phrase movement.
A small instrument with a surprisingly expressive voice.
"The MYNAH is a compact, DIY sampler that lets you record, chop, and perform your sounds anywhere.
Mynah is a compact, 6-voice polyphonic sampler you build yourself, powered by an ESP32 microcontroller and designed for musicians and sound explorers who want a truly tactile creative tool. Behind its approachable looks, Mynah hides a deep feature set including a 16-step sequencer, real-time and momentary effects like delay, reverb, filter, stutter, gate, and bit crusher. Mynah features dual audio inputs for recording from a microphone or line-in source. Samples are stored on SD card and loaded into RAM, giving you up to 16 samples per song and over two minutes of total sample capacity. Whether you’re programming beats, shaping textures, or performing live, Mynah puts serious sampling power in the palm of your hand.
Mynah‘s 16-bit, 32kHz ADPCM audio engine delivers the crunchy, characterful sound of classic samplers, while a companion web-based tool keeps your workflow modern and efficient. Manage your samples and songs, and export high-quality stems — all from your browser."
"MOD3 is an open-source, multi-purpose actuator driver.
I use MOD3 to drive an electromagnet to control ferrofluid.
It is synchronized with the kick trigger signal.
