Chompi (stylised as CHOMPI) is a sampler released in 2023 by Chelsea and Tobias Hendrickson, a couple from Spokane, Washington. Designed to be accessible and screenless, the sampler uses LEDs and physical labels to show its status; the design was inspired by Eurorack modules. Many effects are included, such as a filter and tape saturation. The Kickstarter campaign for Chompi was one of the most successful of 2023, raising over $900,000 in one day.
Background
editChompi was created by Chelsea and Tobias Hendrickson, a couple from Spokane, Washington.[1] They were introduced to synthesizers after spending time with a synthesizer group in New Zealand.[2] Before making Chompi, they ran a community synth program focused on Spokane and the Pacific Northwest,[3][4] which offered modular synth classes for around a decade.[5][6] Chompi was announced on 12 March 2023, via a YouTube video on the Chompi Club channel; the video showcased the basic features of the sampler and looper, as well as the effects unit.[7]
Funding
editThe Kickstarter campaign for Chompi's funding launched on 28 March 2023[5] with a goal of $30,000, and raised over $900,000 in one day.[8] By the end of the campaign it had raised over $1,000,000,[9][3] making it one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns of 2023.[10] Chompi units were offered for $499 as part of the campaign, with a limited-edition pink version offered for $599.[11][12]
Production and design
editChompi is manufactured by Electro-Distro and uses the Daisy Seed, a microchip by Electro-Smith designed to create unique musical instruments.[8][13] Many components are manufactured in the US.[2] It was designed to be accessible[5] and screenless,[9] as Tobias has severe vision loss.[2] Much of the workflow was developed by Tobias while completely blind between eye surgeries, using a 3D printed prototype model of Chompi.[2] The creators also state that the screenless design invites users to explore.[8] LEDs and physical labels are used to differentiate and show the status of various effects,[9] such as a filter,[11] tape saturation,[10][5] and the "magic wand" - a combination of reverb and delay.[7] Buttons on the device are toy-like and oversized,[8] described by the creators as "chonky" (a play on the word "chunky") and "bubbly".[2] Aspects of the design, such as visual customisability and the internal hardware, were inspired by Eurorack modules.[2]
Chompi units ordered by Kickstarter supporters were shipped by January 2024;[14] units then became available to the general public on the Chompi Club website with the price starting at $599.[15][5]
Reception
editMany news outlets praised Chompi when it was announced, with the toy-like design being a frequent topic of discussion and many calling it "adorable".[8][10][15]
On release, Hainbach reviewed Chompi, praising given to the effects and looper but criticising the lack of visual labels.[14][16] Music YouTuber Ricky Tinez also reviewed Chompi, criticising the loud mechanical keys and lack of important features such as sample volume control.[16] However, later firmware releases fixed bugs and added features such as sample pan and volume control, with the creators taking feature requests over Discord.[16]
References
edit- ^ Pearson, Madison; Sandstrom, Summer; Sommerfeld, Seth (23 March 2023). "New fair mascot, kickstarting sound design; plus, new music!". Inlander. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Hadley, Chris; Gaston, Ryan (19 March 2024). "Welcome to the Club: an Interview with CHOMPI Club". Perfect Circuit. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ a b "CHOMPI: A Magical Tape Music Instrument". Kickstarter. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "About". Techno Logic. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Taylor, Nick (19 March 2023). "Chompi Club unveils new tape-music instrument". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Clarry, Tuck (5 July 2018). "Tobias and Chelsea Hendrickson hope to grow and diversify Spokane's music scene, one synthesizer at a time". Inlander. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ a b Chompi Club (12 March 2023). Introducing... ✨CHOMPI✨ (YouTube video). Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Vincent, Robin (29 March 2023). "Chompi Club: Adorable Daisy powered sampler and looper". GearNews. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Rogerson, Ben (18 October 2023). "Get a closer look at the Chompi sampler, one of the most eagerly awaited electronic instruments of 2023". MusicRadar. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Venutti, Isabella (19 April 2023). "Meet CHOMPI, the adorable sampler that sold out on Kickstarter". Mixdown Magazine. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b Jones, Andy (3 May 2023). "The hottest new samplers, grooveboxes and drum machines of 2023". MusicRadar. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Davis, Luke (24 March 2023). "Chompi". Sampleface. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Rogerson, Ben (15 March 2023). "Chompi is a super-cute sampler that was inspired by the Casio SK-1 and looks like a kid-friendly OP-1". MusicRadar. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b Rogerson, Ben (3 January 2024). "The Chompi sampler has been released into the wild - check out this demo from Hainbach and hear his initial thoughts". MusicRadar. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ a b Beschizza, Rob (8 November 2023). "Chompi is an adorable miniature sampling synth". Boing Boing. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Payne, Oliver (10 January 2024). ""There's still work to be done" on CHOMPI sampler, say Hainbach and Ricky Tinez". MusicTech. Retrieved 22 March 2024.