In a groundbreaking collaboration, Telepathic Instruments, co-founded by Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, has unveiled its first product: Orchid, an advanced chord-generating hardware synthesizer set to redefine songwriting and musical exploration. A decade in the making, this “ideas machine” is poised to become a must-have for musicians, producers, and gear enthusiasts alike.

Conceived by Parker over 10 years ago, Orchid marries innovation with accessibility. At its core lies a revolutionary chord logic system that allows users to create and manipulate chords with an ease and flexibility previously unheard of. This system pairs seamlessly with a lush 16-voice polyphonic synthesizer engine and a dedicated bass synth engine, providing sonic depth and power across genres.

Ignacio Germade, a product designer and fellow co-founder, brought Orchid to life with a sleek, portable design that features dual stereo speakers, a single-octave velocity-sensitive keyboard, and a rechargeable battery for untethered creativity. The intuitive layout includes an 8-button matrix for chord selection and modification, paired with a rotary encoder that unlocks an entire piano’s worth of voicings from the compact keyboard.

What sets Orchid apart is its suite of dynamic performance modes:

• Strum: Recreate the tactile beauty of strumming a guitar.

• Slop: Add humanized imperfections for organic feel.

• Arpeggiator: Craft intricate melodic patterns.

• Pattern: Build rhythmic chord sequences effortlessly.

• Harp: Mimic the cascading elegance of a harp across four octaves.

Unlike other chord generators that offer static output, Orchid breathes life into every chord, empowering musicians to approach their compositions in entirely new ways.

Orchid’s sonic prowess comes courtesy of renowned German synth developer Stefan Stenzel, who designed three synth engines:

1. Virtual Analogue Subtractive Synth: Featuring four oscillators, four LFOs, and envelope generators, it provides classic warmth and flexibility.

2. FM Synth: For complex, evolving tones.

3. Vintage Reed Piano Emulation: Capturing the charm of a 1960s electric piano, complete with mechanical noise samples.

These engines are bolstered by built-in effects like reverb, chorus, and delay, ensuring professional-grade sound straight out of the box. With a MIDI-out port and a real-time loop mode, Orchid seamlessly integrates into any studio setup. Whether it’s jotting down ideas or building full-scale productions, this synthesizer offers an unrivaled toolkit for creativity.

The initial release of Orchid is limited to 1,000 units, priced at $549 USD. Early adopters, available to U.S. customers on December 18, will gain access to The Garden, an exclusive online community where they can provide feedback and shape the instrument’s future. A broader release is planned for next year.

For Parker, known for his genre-defying work with Tame Impala, Orchid represents a bridge between classic songwriting and the endless possibilities of modern technology. It’s not just an instrument—it’s an invitation to reimagine the way music is made.

With its combination of cutting-edge design, innovative features, and unparalleled versatility, Orchid is more than just a synthesizer—it’s a revolution in musical exploration. Get ready to enter a new era of creativity.

Purchase HERE

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