Kickstarter-Backed ‘Instrument 1′ Seeks to Revolutionize Music

We've long since grown accustomed to the idea of apps and gizmos that can make novice players sound like seasoned professionals, but the Instrument 1 is something different.

In fact, this new electronic instrument — billed by its designers as "an intuitive way to create music and play any sound" — has wildly exceeded its Kickstarter goal within a few days of launching its campaign, and it isn't difficult to see why. Watch the above video, and the Instrument 1's many intriguing possibilities are almost immediately clear: Not only can it mimic virtually any sound, but its unique design allows the user to play it like a guitar, a keyboard, a drum or something in between. "Basically, you can easily create new instrument presets and play them immediately," boasts the description. "Want to strum a piano? Bow a banjo? Pluck a drum? Done."

On the technical front, the Instrument 1 is fully MIDI compatible, which allows players to use it in conjunction with popular software like ProTools and Logic, and it also connects to iOS devices with a Lightning or USB cable. It even has built-in speakers and a headphone jack.

Unlike a lot of instrumental gadgetry, the makers of Instrument 1 claim to have put a lot of effort into making the learning curve as soft as possible for novices, and are positioning it as an entry-level device for anyone with a desire to play. "Our goal is to create the most effortless music-making experience at any skill level. Music isn’t about gear; it’s about self-expression," continues the page. "Every aspect of the Instrument 1 can be customized to behave the way you want it to. Tune it all to E-major if you like, adjust the sensitivity, or forget strumming altogether and let it auto-play the notes you press."

Pre-orders for the Instrument 1, which is expected to ship in January 2016 and start at $349, with more expensive options available for those who want one with a hardwood back ($899) or a specially priced four-pack ($1,299). Check out the campaign page for more information.

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