A newly developed musical toy enables young children to delve into the basics of electronic music.
Created by software engineer Alastair Roberts, this Montessori-inspired device offers a fully functional, child-friendly synthesizer designed to empower children in music exploration.
Named Alma, the compact synthesizer is encased in a 3D-printed shell and allows toddlers to engage in beat-making without the need for laptops or additional equipment. The device serves as an introduction to the essential elements of electronic music production.
The journey of Alma began as a personal project for Roberts’ daughter and evolved into a comprehensive learning experience in hardware engineering. Despite having no previous background in microcontrollers or 3D printing, Roberts acquired the skills necessary to design the synthesizer using CAD software.
Equipped with four vertical sliders, Alma enables users to manipulate one note in a repeating four-step sequence. Adjusting these sliders alters the pitch, while the OLED screen provides animated feedback through a dancing panda and visual indicators of the notes being played.
While its design is playful, Alma operates similarly to a professional studio instrument. Users can modify the tempo, pitch, instrument type, and scale via rotary knobs, and the built-in speaker delivers immediate sound feedback. The device is powered by just three AA batteries.
Although it remains uncertain if the synthesizer will be produced on a larger scale, Alma currently stands as a delightful proof of concept, transforming early playtime into an introduction to music production. A demonstration of the device can be viewed below.
