OTOTO PCB synthesizer for creating DIY musical instruments by dentaku

OTOTO by dentaku: PCB synthesizer for DIY musical instruments
all images courtesy dentaku

originally commissioned and developed with near now, OTOTO, the experimental PCB-based synthesizer from london-based design studio dentaku allows users to combine sensors, input/output and touch-pads to easily create their own DIY electronic musical instrument, without any prior electronics experience. unpack the kit, and make anything from drum sets out of saucepan, saxophones out of drainpipes, a vegetable piano, a custom synthesizer interface or vocals from plants with tactile interaction. the core of the electronic device is a PCB synthesizer, which is slightly larger than a cassette tape – it works as a functioning musical keyboard straight out of the box. by using crocodile clips, the board can be connected to any conductive material, which will then trigger the sounds. the sound can also be changed by connecting electronic modules to the four onboard sensor inputs: for example users can assemble a light by using a light sensor to control the pitch.

UPDATE: the OTOTO PCB synthesizer is now seeking funding on kickstarter.

OTOTO on kickstarter

unpack the kit, and make anything from drum sets out of saucepans, or saxophones out of drainpipes

 ‘we wanted to create a kit that makes physical computing and interactive projects accessible for everyone,’ says yuri sukuki, co-founder of dentaku. ‘getting into coding and understanding electronics can be a barrier for creativity – ototo allows anyone to build amazing electronic sound projects with minimal knowledge.’

the core of the electronic device is a PCB synthesizer, which is slightly larger than a cassette tape 

 components

draw pictures with a pencil, and the images become the musical instrument

sound reactive plants

build a guitar out of cardboard boxes and tin foil