Making music is a fun experience in itself, but modern technology has made it easier to explore new ways to interact with music. With the 10 cool music gadgets listed below, you are guaranteed to add extra amusement to your music-making and put on a show for anyone nearby!
1. Genki Wave
Genki Wave is a customizable MIDI ring that allows you to control sound, visuals, and other parameters with gestures. From samples to reverb, it lets you personalize all the effects you need for your music and adds fun to your workflow. You'll look cool while performing with it.
With natural hand gestures, the Genki Wave enhances your creative workflow, allowing you to focus on expressing yourself. It's compatible with most major DAWs and can also serve as a studio controller.
2. Odd Ball
An Odd Ball is a ball-shaped musical instrument that you can bounce, pinch, or smash. Paired with the ODD App, it allows you to play, create, and record sounds. It is portable and water- and shock-resistant, so you can bring the fun wherever you go. You can even increase the fun by learning to juggle with different sounds.
3. Playtron
Ever dreamt of playing music on strawberries? You can do just that with Playtron, a device that allows you to play on any conductive surface. All you need is a device, a computer, or a phone, and up to 16 objects of your choice: fruits, vegetables, metals, slimes, liquids, etc. You can even play with people and animals!
4. Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II
The EP-133 K.O. II from Teenage Engineering is a pocket-sized sampler, drum machine, and sequencer. Sample anything with the built-in microphone, chop it up, and turn it into beats on the pressure-sensitive pads — and punch-in effects let you mangle your loops live as you perform. It runs on batteries and has a built-in speaker, making it a brilliant companion for making music anywhere.
5. Joué play
Joué Play is not just a simple MIDI controller. Paired with an app and consisting of a tray area and four interchangeable pads (piano, keys, guitar, and drums), it allows you to play, loop, and record music. Each pad has a sound bank of 12 instruments that you can tweak with the in-built effects.
6. Hyve
Hyve is a fun, tactile, and expressive synthesizer. It consists of two parts: the bottom half is a one-octave piano keyboard, while the top half is a grid with notes ranging from C2 to F♯5. Hyve synths come as assembled and ready-to-play instruments, but you can opt for a kit that requires no experience and soldering.
7. Data Duo
Ever wanted to make music with a friend, but one of you isn't too experienced? Dato Duo might look like a toy, but it is a powerful 2-in-1 synthesizer and sequencer. Thanks to its accessible design, all generations can play together and learn the basics of synthesis.
8. Otamatone
The Otamatone, from Japanese art unit Maywa Denki, is one of the most delightfully weird instruments ever made. Slide your finger along its note-shaped stem to change pitch, and squeeze its cheeks to open its mouth for a wah effect — the result lands somewhere between a theremin and a singing cartoon character. It is surprisingly expressive once you get the hang of it, and guaranteed to steal the show at any jam session.
9. Erae Touch
Erae Touch is a MIDI board user’s dream come true. A total of 1000 sensitive illuminated sensors allow you to shape your sound in any way you want. You can play with effects and faders, use custom piano layouts, and even use the Erae Touch as a drum pad. Plus, the light patterns will enhance any live performance.
10. Teenage Engineering pocket operator
Teenage Engineering pocket operators come in various models, from drum machines to samplers or synthesizers. You can use one to make music on the go, or connect a few pocket operators to create a pocket band. They can also be used with other synths. You don’t need a background in synthesis, and the animations on the screen make it a fun device for children and adults alike.
Anja Drozdova is a Swiss-Russian musician and music teacher. She focuses on finding creative ways to engage students during piano and music theory lessons by using different mediums such as technology and visual arts. Anja also writes electronic pop music under the artist name Mlkshk. Her music is inspired by everyday life, scenes from childhood, and imaginary places, shapes, and colors.
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