Mach Devices MD-7 is an upcoming hardware Synthesizer with motorized controls and an open-source, hackable engine
Teenage Engineering’s flagship product line (OP-1 Field, OP-XY…) has a very distinctive design. They are made of aluminum, machined in one block (unibody style) and usually fit a MacBook perfectly.
Mach Devices has introduced the MD-7, an upcoming Synthesizer that could easily have come from Teenage Engineering, but it isn’t.
Mach Devices MD-7
The MD-7 is a new Synthesizer from the new company Mach Devices. While not confirmed by the first images, the MD-7 appears to be machined from a single block, like many TE products. One could almost think it comes from Swedish offices.
The interface has a 1-octave button keyboard, three subtle buttons as well as two large FOC haptic motor discs. Whether intentional or just by chance, they look very reminiscent of the rotating disc of the Teenage Engineering TP-7 recorder.
The discs are a key feature of the MD-7 as they do not function like traditional knobs, even if you can turn them smoothly. They register your movement but also communicate with you, transmitting haptic feedback.
For example, push into a different parameter zone and the resistance of the discs will change. This feedback communicates to the user where they are in the menu.
There are types of feedback planned, like detents for snapped values, virtual walls at range limits, and more. It’s all about feeling the patch instead of looking at a screen.
In a demo posted by the developers on Instagram (embedded below), the disks are used with a looper engine. Here, they move at the same speed as the tempo of the loop and can be manipulated like a DJ.
Hackable Engine
Mach Devices has not yet released exact specifications for the MD-7 engine. However, based on the video teaser, it will include a programmable drum looper with multiple drum channels.
One thing is sure: the MD-7 engine, so the code that runs the synth will be open-source and available in the public domain. The developers say: read it, learn from it, tweak it, and fork it.
This includes the DSP engine, the modulation matrix, the sequencer, and more, all on GitHub. This means anyone can hack it and bring their own ideas to it.
The interface displays traditional subtractive Synthesizer features such as an oscillator, a filter with cutoff and resonance, an envelope, and an output. However, according to the developer, this is just filler, as the UI is still under development and subject to change.
Connectivity
Let’s take a look at the back, where you have a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, a microSD card slot, and a multi-purpose USB-C port. It handles MIDI, DAW communication, audio over USB, digital microphone input, and firmware updates.
On the right side, you have another USB-C port that is for powering the unit. So, you can power it from a regular USB power supply as well as from a power bank
View this post on Instagram
Mach Devices MD-7 First Impression
An exciting new portable Synthesizer with an original concept. Depending on the factory and third-party firmware versions, this could be very fascinating. I’m just wondering if the asking price is realistic or just filler. If so, I’m tempted.
Mach Devices MD-7 will be available for 267,95€ in the official store. Availability is TBA.
More information here: Mach Devices
“Teenage Engineering’s flagship product line (OP-1 Field, OP-XY…) has a very distinctive design. They are made of aluminum, machined in one block (unibody style) and usually fit a MacBook perfectly.” WTF???
well WT yes 😉
it’s true… why Not?😀