thingstruments

Great news for all you guitarists out there: ElectroSmash have created pedalSHIELD , which allows you to download, or if you know C/C++, even write your own guitar effects!

Meet the Misa Tri-Bass . It's a very cool solid wood synth axe with 3 touch-sensitive "strings" and a big XY pad on the body. The makers aren't new to guitar-like synth controllers: they've previously made the Kitara, a controller made famous by Muse, deadmau5 and others !

Korg just keeps bringing out some excellent toys for synth geeks. Now they have started collaboration with littleBits , a company making open-source modular circuit boards that can be connected like legos. That's right, Korg is now making open-source synth modules. They've released the monotron schematics already a while back and seems like it worked out just fine for them. It's great to see a big company like Korg embracing the DIY synth community like this! Read this great article on create digital music for more info on the littleBits + Korg collab.

SonicXTC have released a new free VST, the Deep Step 606. You can download it at their freebies site here . Check out also their free loop manipulator VST, Beat Twist, and their other nice freebies.

The Mixtape Alpha is a $42 synth / sequencer smaller than a cassette tape. It is limited to chiptune style sounds, but is still very cool and very portable - you can easily take it anywhere with you. The schematics and source code are available to download, which makes it possible to even build your own.

This guy made some enhancements to his guitar with an Arduino... just awesome!!! Read more on the details at Hack A Day .