Molecule
Synth

05 / Origin story

From circuit-bent toys to a new kind of instrument.

Travis Feldman created Molecule Synth to make electronic sound wilder, more physical, and less predictable than a traditional keyboard.

The idea grew from circuit bending and hand-built instruments—and from a desire to move beyond sealed “black box” technology. Instead of asking musicians to consume somebody else’s system, Molecule exposes the system and invites them to rebuild it.

The project launched from Portland in 2012. During early demonstrations, people from age 6 to 86 picked it up and began experimenting without needing technical knowledge.