"Wildwood Lightning is a handmade digital sampler, sequencer and synthesizer designed and produced by Wildwood Soundworks in Penn Valley, California. It provides the following features:
Sampler - record your own samples or use standard WAVE files.
Sequencer - compose on up to 16 channels with channel mute and solo.
Synthesizer - produce polyphonic audio with a sample based synthesizer.
Touch Pads - play notes, select chord and drum patterns and strum with touch sensitive pads.
Display - view notes and channels or navigate menus to select from numerous features.
Multiple Views - create and update your songs using piano roll, song or step views.
Multiple Menus - discover features and create or edit your song with 14 menus.
Note the Wildwood Express is now on v3 with v3.2 coming. The videos above are from 2 years ago, but have not been featured on the site before now.
"Wildwood Express is a handmade digital sequencer and synthesizer designed and produced in Penn Valley, California.
It features:
Color LCD Display
1 Octave Keyboard
8 Octave Range
24 Touch Pads
12 Function Keys
16 Channels (w/Mute + Solo)
128 Instruments
18 Full Color LEDs
Rotary Encoder
USB MIDI Input + Output
Pattern Generator
Strum / Autochord
Song Editing + Overdub
microSD Card Storage
USB Storage"
Playlist:
1. Express v02 MIDI File 01
This video shows you how to open and play a MIDI file:
1. Navigate menus
2. Select a MIDI file
3. Play the MIDI file
4. Select note view (piano roll)
5. Select song view (all channels)
6. Select step view
7. Navigate through song a note (MIDI message) at a time
8. Use Channel Display setting to control which channels are displayed
"At Superbooth 2025, I stumbled upon one of the most refreshing and inspiring booths of the weekend: Wildwood Soundworks.
Created by Tony Stewart—truly one of the nicest, chillest geniuses you'll ever meet—Wildwood Soundworks is a boutique company based in Penn Valley, California, dedicated to making electronic music gear that’s as expressive as it is innovative.
Tony’s gear is built for playability, tactile creativity, and pure musical joy. His instruments feel like something between a synth, a sculpture, and a philosophy on music-making. Every detail has intention, and every interaction feels like a performance.
At the booth, Tony demoed his two latest inventions:
Wildwood Express – a beautifully handcrafted sampler/synth/sequencer with a capacitive touch interface and all-in-one design for real-time creation.
Wildwood Lightning – an equally expressive device that swaps the keyboard for a circular note wheel, bringing intuitive scale-based performance to your fingertips.
Both units are loaded with sample-based and FM synthesis, USB MIDI/audio, sequencing across 16 channels, and a super intuitive display and menu system. Even cooler? They update over the air, and yes—they’re just as fun as they look.
This was one of my favorite finds of the show—not only because of the gear, but because of Tony’s energy and vision."
"Knobcon 2023 showcased an intriguing product by Wildwood Soundworks, as we spoke to Tony about the Wildwood Express.
This digital sequencer and synthesizer presents a unique blend of features, boasting a capacitive touch sensor-based interface. With an innovative one-octave keyboard that's part of an eight-octave range, the Wildwood Express allows users to craft music with ease. It features a chord selector, strum plate, and one-octave keypad, enabling you to select chords, roots, and strum them individually or in sequence.
Furthermore, this device serves as a MIDI input and output hub, making it compatible with external MIDI controllers or digital audio workstations. With features like internal flash storage, a built-in web server, and the ability to read and write standard MIDI files, the Wildwood Express offers a range of creative possibilities for musicians and composers.
The Wildwood Express is an enticing option for those seeking an affordable and handmade sequencer and synthesizer. Priced at $199.99 during the show and $249.99 on Etsy, this handcrafted device features a hardwood base and is meticulously assembled in Penn Valley, California. You can explore its capabilities further on their website, WildwoodSoundworks.com, where you'll find detailed descriptions, videos, and links to their Etsy shop. With its unique interface and versatile MIDI capabilities, the Wildwood Express opens up new avenues for music creation and experimentation."
