A London-based software engineer has designed and built a fully playable, 3D-printed synthesizer for his daughter — a project that’s now capturing the attention of musicians, parents, and creators around the world.
Alma, created by developer Alastair Roberts, is a toddler-friendly hardware synth with an onboard sound engine and speaker. The compact prototype includes tempo, volume, scale, pitch, and instrument controls, each mapped to a four-step continuous loop. Kids (and adults) can raise or lower the pitch of each step using simple sliders, turning the device into a playful introduction to melody and pattern.
A Synth Inspired by a Child’s Curiosity
The idea started with a birthday gift. Roberts’ daughter had received a Montessori activity board full of switches and LEDs. Watching her twist knobs and flip switches reminded him of classic synth control surfaces — and he wondered if he could build a musical version that felt just as tactile.
Designed for Play, Built with Care
Alma includes:
- A built-in speaker (no extra gear needed)
- An OLED screen with visual feedback — including a dancing panda
- Four pitch-adjustable sliders that control each step of the loop
- A 3D-printed enclosure sized perfectly for small hands
- Power from three AA batteries, keeping everything simple and portable
Despite its playful look, the instrument behaves like a real synthesizer — immediate, responsive, and surprisingly expressive.
From One Child’s Gift to a Potential Product
Roberts initially intended Alma as a one-off present for his daughter. But after letting other kids — and even adults — experiment with it, he realized there may be broader interest.
“After watching a few children and adults (musical and non-musical) play with it, I think there might be the germ of a real product here,” he said.
He’s considering producing a limited batch depending on demand. Future versions may include:
A more advanced synth engine Audio outputs The ability to chain multiple units together
This would make Alma not just a toddler’s first instrument, but a fun, approachable entry point into electronic music for older children — and even curious adults.
A New Kind of First Instrument
Alma isn’t designed to compete with professional synths — it’s meant to invite experimentation, spark early creativity, and show that electronic music doesn’t need to be complex or intimidating.
It’s play-driven, tactile, and joyful — a reminder that musical curiosity can start anywhere, even with a few sliders and a dancing panda.
To watch Alma in action and learn more about Roberts’ development process, visit his website.
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