we are a community of makers, artists and teachers designing synthesizers!
Synthux Academy is a non-profit that sits at the intersection of hardware design, open-source software, and education. We believe the best instruments are the ones that don't exist yet. We work with makers and musicians to bring those instruments into the world. Through our residencies, workshops, and online courses we take people through the full arc of building a hardware instrument — from concept to finished object. Then we release those instruments to the world under open licenses so anyone can build, modify, or learn from them.
What we do
We run residency programmes, workshops, and online courses that take developers, artists, and curious minds through the full arc of building a hardware instrument — from concept to finished object.
Every year a cohort of makers from around the world joins our Instrument Design Residency. Over nine months they develop hardware prototypes, collaborate with musicians, and ship a product that is entirely their own. Beyond the structured programs, the heart of our movement beats within a vibrant Discord server where everyone is welcome to connect, ask for advice, and share knowledge. It is a digital workbench where the barriers between novice and expert dissolve, allowing for a constant exchange of schematics, code snippets, and troubleshooting tips. This community isn't just a support network; it’s the engine of our innovation. By fostering a space where curiosity is the only prerequisite, we ensure that the journey of building an instrument is never a solitary one.
Why open source
All Synthux designs are released under open licenses. We think the future of musical instruments is collaborative, not proprietary. By keeping our firmwares open source, we transform the instrument from a finished product into a living laboratory where community members are invited to dismantle, refine, and reinvent. This transparent approach serves a specific purpose: to usher in a new era of "weird." We believe that the most daring and unconventional sonic ideas shouldn't be locked behind corporate patents, but rather sparked through the collective friction of developers and musicians working together. When we build in the open, we don't just create tools; we cultivate a creative ecosystem where the craziest ideas find the support they need to become reality.
