In the realm of music technology, where breakthroughs are often celebrated, it's the small, incremental steps that are often the most fascinating.
This certainly rings true for Tim Alex Jacobs, or mitxela, who has shared his journey towards creating the world's smallest MIDI synthesizer. This latest version of their multi-year journey, a USB-C MIDI synthesizer, is a marvel of miniaturization. About the size of a grape, this extraordinary device efficiently combines a USB-C connector, a circuit board, and a piezoelectric buzzer.
Mitxela's journey into the world of microsynths began in 2015 with the introduction of what was then the world's smallest MIDI synthesizer. He then introduced another version, this time incorporating USB functionality. The culmination of this journey is the current USB-C model, a testament to both his creativity and his technical skill.
mitxela
True to its diminutive size, the synthesizer's sound can best be described as delicate. It's a true one-trick pony, capable only of producing a monophonic square wave. Mitxela himself recognizes the novelty of the device although he points out its limitations.
“There's no device we can connect this to that doesn't have a speaker,” he says. “There are no USB-C hosts that can't run a software synthesizer.”
While Mitxela's creation is unlikely to ever be mass produced, it is nonetheless a novel experiment that pushes the boundaries of music technology and a reminder that innovation often comes in unexpected sizes and shapes.
You can watch the development of the synth below and learn more. here.
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