A patchable solar-powered synth with a speaker; birds, hot dogs, and more

What a strange and wonderful bird this is: the Forever Grouse from MONAD comes with its own loudspeaker, banana plugs for patching, and solar panels for power. But maybe you’d rather watch a film about a heron. Or music with some hot dogs. Or set fire to electronics under an interstate overpass. Come along.

Birds on guitars, in the zebra finch sound art of Céleste Boursier-Mougenot

Sound artist Céleste Boursier-Mougenot’s “from hear to ear” is on view in Lisbon, Portugal at the moment. So let’s take a moment for zebra finches playing guitars and other sonic installations driven by elements from nature in the work of this artist from Nice, France (now in Sète).

Peter Kirn - July 27, 2026

In Fracture Space software instrument, a 3D playground of sonic fragments for $12

Somewhere at the border of granular synthesis, 3D immersion, and game engines, the Fracture Space team have built a compelling looking new instrument.

Peter Kirn - April 1, 2021