Absurdist edge - nonsense machines as musical instruments, creators of the Otamatone
Maywa Denki creates 'nonsense machines' - playful, absurdist musical instruments and toys that parody Japanese corporate culture while celebrating the craftmanship of small/medium enterprises. Dressed in blue work uniforms, they present art as 'products' and performances as 'product demonstrations', blending high art with commercial accessibility.
Signature$40
The iconic eighth-note-shaped synthesizer with touch-sensitive stem, wah and vibrato effects via squeezable face. Over 2 million units sold worldwide since 2009.
Signature$80
Professional-grade Otamatone with 3.5mm stereo jack for amp/headphone connection, wider neck for precise playing, and approximately four octaves per pitch setting.
$80
The full-sized Otamatone in pristine white, featuring touch-sensitive stem control and expressive face-squeezing vibrato for performances and recording.
$18
Compact keychain-sized Otamatone with 11 pre-programmed songs and demo mode. Entry-level introduction to the Maywa Denki musical toy universe.
Signature$45
Nintendo collaboration featuring Kirby's iconic pink face. Same touch-sensitive controls and expressive playability as the original Otamatone.
Signature$100
Premium collaboration with virtual pop star Hatsune Miku. Deluxe-sized with teal coloring and stereo jack for amplification.
🇸🇪 SE · $59-$2,199
Teenage Engineering creates high-quality, well-designed electronic products with a 'no fuzz' philosophy featuring simple geometry, basic color palettes, and intuitive functionality. Their design draws inspiration from vintage portable electronics and Nintendo's Game & Watch, blending retro aesthetics with cutting-edge technology to make professional music tools feel like beloved toys.
🇺🇸 US · $300-$600
Critter & Guitari creates playful, handcrafted electronic instruments that combine professional audio capability with tactile, toylike interfaces. Founded on a belief that instruments should be immediately accessible and inspire experimentation, their designs feature colorful wooden enclosures, maple keys, and intuitive controls that encourage musical exploration.
🇯🇵 JP · $99-$200
Korg champions the democratization of synthesis, making professional-grade analog instruments accessible and affordable. Under designer Tatsuya Takahashi, the company embraced portability and playful interaction, believing music-making should happen anywhere - from campfires to train rides. Their instruments feature intuitive knob-per-function layouts that reward hands-on exploration.
🇺🇸 US · $200-$800
Monome creates adaptable, minimalist sound instruments built on principles of openness, transparency, and community collaboration. Their blank-slate approach eschews labels and predefined functions, allowing users to imagine and define each device's purpose through software and scripting. Everything from hardware schematics to firmware is open-source, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of user-created applications.
🇸🇪 SE · $299-$1,699
Elektron creates bold and enduring electronic music instruments designed to unlock creativity. Rooted in Gothenburg's industrial harbor culture, their instruments combine cutting-edge technology with intuitive, performance-oriented workflows. Every device is engineered to the highest standards, assembled by hand, and built to last with a three-year warranty.
🇺🇸 US · $999-$2,199
Moog designs synthesizers as expressive instruments fostering physical connection through tactile controls. Bob Moog's 'toolmaker for users' principle prioritizes playability and the iconic warm analog sound of voltage-controlled oscillators and the legendary ladder filter. Each instrument is handcrafted in Asheville, North Carolina with through-hole construction.