Music lovers will soon be able to play a unique new instrument that went viral online. The Nopia, a synthesizer designed to make complex harmonies easy to play, is finally ready for release.
Created by Martin Grieco and Rocío Gal, the instrument first excited musicians on the internet in 2023. The creators recently revealed that the Nopia will launch in about two months. It will cost around £550.
Unlike traditional synthesizers, which usually focus on one sound at a time, the Nopia combines different musical parts into one performance. It acts like a small music station, mixing keys, bass, chord patterns, and ambient sounds.
To help users play complex harmonies with just one or two fingers, the Nopia includes a small keyboard called the Chord Builder, a 12-button Tonal Selector, and a special dial to adjust the chord sounds.
The Nopia also has a "strum plate" in the corner that lets players pluck individual notes, and a slider to bend pitch. Inside, it uses both digital and sample-based sound engines. It also features standard effects like delay, reverb, and tape emulation. Finally, the instrument can connect to other musical gear, allowing players to control different synthesizers using the Nopia's unique harmony system.