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.

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

Sinevibes Quarta: 10 FX, 4 zones on the pocket-sized NTS-3 kaoss pad

Korg’s NTS-3 is an absolute joy — a cute, pocket-sized, inexpensive kit that you can load up with custom effects. But that gets even more interesting once you add Sinevibes’ library of effects. And now you get one especially created for the X/Y pad. I’ve been testing a prerelease build, and this is a return to everything that I love about kaoss. And oops — here’s the perfect pocket live/DJ effect.

Peter Kirn - July 2, 2026

Noiseferatu: open-source, 45 algorithms, like a KAOSS Pad from Hell

Peter Kirn - June 23, 2026

Michigan Synth Works has an open-source 303 processor and a new kit

Peter Kirn - March 3, 2026

Ukraine’s Tembra Modular continues workshops, gear despite attacks

Peter Kirn - February 2, 2026

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

Peter Kirn - January 21, 2026

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

Peter Kirn - January 7, 2026

Inside Kyiv’s hackerspace, a growing DIY synth and experimental noise scene

Peter Kirn - October 16, 2025