Flexur and Chill, with this Trautonium-inspired DIY synthesizer

I missed this when it dropped earlier this month — Synthtopia was there! But now is a perfect time to chill out to the smoothly gliding sounds of this original Trautonium-inspired synthesizer design in progress. Flexur can cool down an overheated Europe.

Bastl Instruments Kalimba, acoustic-digital hybrid, is already a megahit

The best of show at Superbooth 2026 is an easy pick. Bastl Kalimba, with its combination of acoustic and physical interaction with fluid digital synthesis and sensing, is a triumph of instrument design.

Peter Kirn - May 14, 2026

SonicSketch DAW interface with audio controls, post-processing for image, and audio effects. In the center, the Indaw Anticline visualized seismic data, with a waveform puck in red moving across a teal path through the black and white image.

Live out your Xenakis fantasies, free in your browser, with SonicSketch

JeongHo Park, a self-described “algorithmic composer” and artist, is building a delightful instrument that turns images into scores with full drawing capability for making paths. Inspired by the likes of Xenakis’ UPIC, the tool gives you instantly mind-bending results, living in that netherworld between synthesizer and score.

Peter Kirn - February 9, 2026

Casio’s expressive guitar strap controller was inspired by a chopstick case

Peter Kirn - January 23, 2026

Marvel at the gorgeous Nopia harmony instrument, now at MK1

Peter Kirn - December 16, 2025

A drum machine as a stick figure navigating a colored, pixellated grid with three rows.

10,000 Drum Machines is full of wild, weird, free Web music devices

Peter Kirn - September 22, 2025

Three free spectral synths to try after the new Serum spectral oscillator

Peter Kirn - March 19, 2025

Leafcutter John takes you deeper into the strange, wonderful tool Forester

Peter Kirn - August 9, 2024

Dancing “vibes” and 2 more mood-elevating freebies for Live, DAWs

Peter Kirn - August 5, 2024