Wxxx is a manufacturer of high-quality electronic tuned-percussion instruments. Before engaging with Microsynthesis they had been producing a small number of hand-crafted one-offs of their “Percussion” design for special stage performances and other specialist requirements. The instrument consists of individually hand-made wooden keys featuring a patented design to ensure uniformity of play. In the original design, each key was individually wired to processing electronics which was itself high-end and expensive technology. Although a very fine instrument indeed and loved by professional musicians, the cost of manufacture was high which made the price to the consumer high and thus the market was very restricted.

Wxxx approached Microsynthesis with a view to redesign the instrument to make it more commercially viable. We accepted the task and engaged on an in-depth design and development project.

Microsynthesis first looked at the existing instrument; how it played, how it was manufactured, the components used, the costs and how it was received by players. We considered ways of improving the playing performance, ways to improve the design to reduce manufacturing effort and costs, ways to improve the functionality of the instrument and ways of making the design and the end-product more robust and reliable. Microsynthesis also interviewed existing and potential players to understand their needs and wishes for the product.

It was decided to completely redesign the electronic parts of the instrument from scratch as this would yield the best product and best satisfy the brief. Microsynthesis carried out experimental research on all parts of the system to understand how the keys respond to different mallet strikes, speed of response expected from players, propagation delays through the full signal processing path, the effect of cross talk from physical vibration from key to key and a number of other factors.

The final output from Microsynthesis was a very high quality design for an instrument which was designed for test and manufacturability and one which provides a very fine playing experience for the player. It offers great note sensitivity, dynamic and natural control and uses digital filtering techniques to ensure realism and fine tonal nuances for professional players. The product has now had worldwide success for over a decade.