Ever Wanted to Play Complex Piano Chords Without Years of Training? Extend-o-Matic Claims You Can

A new instrument is set to hit the music scene soon, offering musicians and hobbyists alike the ability to play complicated chords without the years of training typically required. Extend-o-Matic, a hybrid chord synthesizer and electric piano, is the brainchild of the Oscillator Co. team, and it aims to raise $50,000 in an upcoming Kickstarter campaign.

The Extend-o-Matic is a sleek combination of a polyphonic synthesizer and an electric piano, with a design that promises to simplify the creative process for both beginners and experienced musicians. You play complex, extended chords through a specialized chord bank. This instrument blends a subtractive synth engine with electric piano sounds and includes three oscillators and nine built-in effects, offering versatility and depth in sound design.

"This device was built with playing extended chords in mind, which is actually how it got its name," shares the tool's creator Jelani Thompson. "You typically see extended chords in genres like jazz but it's versatile enough to accommodate a wide variety of styles. It provides access to hundreds of chord banks, each containing a variety of complimentary chords and voice in combination."

At the core of its appeal is the screenless workflow, a deliberate choice by the creators to enhance the tactile and auditory experience. Users will also have access to various effects—such as chorus, delay, reverb, EQ, phaser, compressor, vibrato, glide, and tremolo—plus filters, an arpeggiator, and both mono and polyphonic modes.

The Kickstarter will feature a Super Early Bird tier starting at $979 USD, limited to just 15 slots. Production is set to begin once the funding goal is met, with shipping expected by summer 2025.

🍿🍿Read also:

• Found a Tool to Remove Vocals, Backtracks & Instruments From Any Song in Less Than 60 Seconds
• Startup Eternal Research Unveils the Demon Box, an Instrument That Turns Everyday Objects into Music