Devious Pocket: standalone, simple digital vinyl from any turntable

Skip the laptops and loads of proprietary hardware with an ultra-simple, portable, affordable add-on that turns any turntable into a digital vinyl turntable. That’s the pitch from NAP Works for crowdfunded, compact hardware built on open-source tech. It might do more than just impress digital vinyl DJs: this has the potential to win over even the CDJ crowd.

In the sound of Wukir Suryadi’s kentongan, a world warning

From Indonesia to the planet, Wukir Suryadi sends a distress call in insistent strikes against his hand-built kentongan instrument. If you want an answer to what music we should be making in this moment, perhaps what you need is Titir — a warning.

Peter Kirn - March 25, 2026

Ukraine’s Tembra Modular continues workshops, gear despite attacks

Through blackouts, bitter cold, Internet disruptions, and nightly attacks, Ukrainian DIY producers Tembra Modular persist. The two-person shop continues to run workshops and produce DIY kits and assembled modules. Blackouts can’t stop them: their production often takes place literally by candlelight. Here’s Kaximia to tell us the story of their modular synth resistance, and why you should be conscious in your choice of what hardware you use.

Peter Kirn - February 2, 2026

Cosmolab, open DSP development kit, in final hours of crowdfunding

Peter Kirn - January 29, 2026

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

Peter Kirn - January 23, 2026

KORG’s phase8 “acoustic synthesizer” is now a product for sale

Peter Kirn - January 22, 2026

Bastl’s Kastle 2 and Citadel Eurorack are now DIY kits, open source platforms

Peter Kirn - January 21, 2026

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

Peter Kirn - January 9, 2026

What’s new in the DIY world of Music Thing’s Workshop System

Peter Kirn - January 7, 2026