inMusic, the parent company of brands like Akai, Moog, and Native Instruments, is embracing the modding community by making hardware more accessible. During an interview with The Verge, inMusic CEO Jack O'Donnell explained that the company plans to provide a toolbox and the inner workings of devices like the MPC and Sample Key, allowing users to modify them freely.
This initiative includes open-sourcing the code for the newly teased MPC Sample Key and offering developers an SDK. The goal is to reduce the risk of "bricking" beloved samplers while ensuring official software remains stable for artists performing on stage, such as the concern of Fred Again discovering bugs during a show.
O'Donnell emphasized the importance of providing a "reset button" so users can experiment safely without losing their work. The company plans to showcase this at NAMM through Creator Lab, allowing curious musicians to hack 22 new products, including analog synths from Moog, by building a platform that helps developers navigate the hardware's analog circuitry.
Other manufacturers are also joining this trend. Erica Synths, Polyend, and Behringer have all released open-source devices, ranging from drum machines and tracker grooveboxes to budget clones like Behringer's $150 MPC One and E-mu SP-1200 recreations.
O'Donnell noted the rapid shift in the industry, stating that providing developer tools was not on the company's task list just five weeks ago. However, the consensus is clear: the modding community has changed the landscape, and blocking it is a losing battle.
Not everyone is pleased, however. Elektron has restricted links to hacked firmware on its forums to prevent users from damaging instruments or voiding warranties. Despite these concerns, the industry consensus is that trying to stop modding is futile, and embracing the community is the better path forward.
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