Oldest recorded voices, haunted dolls, and more from Tempest Instruments

New sound technologies? Sure, okay, I guess. But haunted dolls of the 1890s as made by Thomas Edison? Oh, now you’ve got my attention. So in case you haven’t discovered this before, Tempest Instruments, a “small team” led by TV/film and video game composer Alex Davis, has been collected strange sound ephemera of the 19th […]

Handmade experimental synths and DIY from Argentina’s Los Aparatos

From Tucumán, Argentina, Los Aparatos are constructing handmade synths and electronics education and DIY projects. And now you can ship their experimental synthesizer, Auduina MK2, internationally. Plus, those pink controls and creative projects are just irresistible. Let’s take a look.

Peter Kirn - August 17, 2026

Listen to the analog BBD sounds of Morphor; Echon 6 poly is shipping

You know what would be a crazy idea? Making a polysynth out of analog BBD (bucket brigade delay) chips. Well, Morphor has been doing just that with the polyphonic Echon 6, building on their work on modules like the ultra-lovely Plectrum. And it’s worth just listening to the music flowing out of this device — now shipping.

Peter Kirn - May 14, 2026

Massive power, every format: the BB-777 brings back a boombox icon

Peter Kirn - March 27, 2026

Endless joys of the Open Reel Ensemble and reel-to-reel performance

Peter Kirn - March 2, 2026

Modor DR-2 – a delicious, overlooked drum machine – adds trig conditions

Peter Kirn - February 6, 2026

As much triggering as you can handle: Noise Engineering Multi Repetitor

Peter Kirn - January 22, 2026

Watch as a telephone is transformed into a DIY analog drum machine

Peter Kirn - January 9, 2026

Moon from Landscape, Mystic Circuits: a bonkers 4-channel drum machine

Peter Kirn - November 3, 2025