A software engineer’s Montessori-inspired creation is empowering kids with a fully functional, child-friendly synthesizer.
Developed by Alastair Roberts and housed in a 3D-printed case, the pint-sized device, Alma, introduces toddlers to the basics of beat-making with no laptops or external gear required. The synth encourages learning the fundamentals of electronic music production.
From concept to completion, Alma became both a gift for his daughter and a DIY masterclass in hardware engineering. Though Roberts had no prior experience with microcontrollers or 3D printing, he learned the necessary skills to model the device’s form using CAD software.
The synthesizer includes four vertical sliders, each corresponding to one note in a repeating four-step sequence. Adjusting the sliders modifies pitch, while the OLED screen not only displays animated feedback via a dancing panda but also provides visual cues as to which notes are playing.
Despite its playful appearance, Alma functions like a scaled-down studio instrument. Users can tweak tempo, pitch, instrument type and scale using rotary knobs, while its built-in speaker provides immediate auditory feedback. Everything runs on just three AA batteries.
Whether or not the synthesizer ultimately becomes more widely available remains to be seen, but for now, it stands as a charming proof of concept that turns early playtime into a first step towards learning music production. Watch it in action below.
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