The Oscillator Company let us know that they have launched a Kickstarter project to fund production of the Extend-o-Matic, a unique hybrid of a polyphonic synth and digital electric piano.
It combines a subtractive digital sound engine with an electric piano engine that emulates the distinctive qualities of popular classic electric pianos.
The instrument’s name comes from the fact that it’s designed to make it easy to explore extended chords, which are commonly used in genres like Jazz, Neo Soul, Funk, etc. The instrument’s 12 assignable chord buttons make it easier to play complex extended chords, and provide an alternate way to perform.
The chord bank can also be customized, so you can create your own chord formulas or rearrange the chord bank to your liking.
Here’s the official Extend-o-Matic keyboard intro video:
Key Features:
- Screenless Workflow
- Subtractive Synth + Electric Piano Engine
- Chord Bank with inversion functionality + manual chords
- Effects (Chorus, Phaser, Delay, Reverb, EQ, Compressor, Tremolo, Vibrato)
- 12dB/oct and 24dB/oct Resonant Lowpass Filters
- Note / Chord Arpeggiator
- Mono / Polyphonic Mode
- Extensive Patch Storage
- Glide / Portamento
Pricing and Availability:
Production of the Extend-o-Matic is being funded via a Kickstarter crowdfunding project. The instrument is available to project backers for $979 USD, instead of the production price of $1499.
Note: Crowdfunding projects can involve risk. See the project site for details.
All praise to the makers of such complex device. Personally, I struggle to see its place on the market. Right, you may use it for playing complex chords, but doing this with one finger and a lot of theory (like, okay, I need a diminished minor 9 chord here, that will sound good) will proof even harder than just trying to play the chord yourself.
If you play at home on your own, then it might do the trick, but following along with a band, while constantly having to ask if they play minor, mayor, sus , 7 etc is not gonna be viable.
It will only work if you know in advance, written out, the chord progression of the song.
But aren’t you better off with an arranger then? At least it would allow you to accompany yourself and play with two or more fingers.
Fun concept, but mobile app (for the touchscreen) could achieve the same at a much lower cost.
Agreed. Scaler, Chordjam and gazillion other tools cost nothing to almost nothing. Some DAWs have them included. A lot of synths have a chord-button to save pressed keys as a chord (yes you have to look them up then, but then you’ll slowly learn and will be able to perform, like @New Ignis correctly pointed out). The rest of the synth looks incredibly basic. You could buy a Hydrasynth new for that and get a copy of Scaler for better results (production price).
Ronco strikes again! also chops vegatables. good deal!
A chord organ that married a Crumar Bit One.
Charming!
Target demographic: music theorists with golden ears and severe arthritis.