Music startup Thoughtful Things has introduced Engram, a novel sampler and groovebox designed to push AI audio beyond conventional boundaries by warping incoming sounds and generating new, eerie audio textures using a locally running AI model.
- Engram uses a local, custom AI model to alter and hallucinate sounds.
- Focuses on experimental and glitchy audio rather than polished music.
- Kickstarter price is $675, expected retail between $850 and $900.
What happened
Thoughtful Things, a music startup, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund Engram, its first instrument. Engram is a sampler and groovebox that utilizes AI to mangle and recombine incoming audio as well as generate entirely new sounds through AI hallucination. The device runs a proprietary, custom-trained AI model locally without requiring an internet connection.
Unlike AI music tools designed to deliver completed tracks, Engram aims to create experimental, glitchy sounds that push the limits of AI-generated audio. The company emphasizes that the AI models are trained only on open datasets licensed for commercial use and plans to open-source the firmware for further customization by users.
Why it matters
Engram represents a fresh approach to integrating AI in music production by focusing on creative experimentation rather than instant hits. Its emphasis on glitch aesthetics and the ability to tweak or break AI models echoes the rebellious spirit of circuit bending, inviting musicians to explore AI’s unpredictable potential.
By maintaining local AI processing, Engram provides musicians with privacy and offline functionality, a divergence from many AI tools that rely on cloud computation. This local approach alongside open firmware fosters a collaborative and modifiable environment that could inspire new sonic innovations.
What to watch next
The Kickstarter offers a limited run of Engram units starting at $675, which is roughly 30% off the anticipated retail price of around $850 to $900. Backers and early adopters will set the tone for how musicians harness Engram’s unique AI capabilities in creative workflows.
Observers should monitor how Thoughtful Things develops firmware openness and community contributions to the device. The success of Engram could influence other startups to explore locally-run AI for innovative music hardware focused on sound exploration rather than traditional song creation.