synthanatomy Strikes Again with NapKey Chord Magic

The show kicks off at SynthFest France 2025 with a peek at Napkey Instruments. This company may be fresh out of the box, being just two years old, but they aren’t shy about stepping onto the big stage. Synthanatomy catches up with Ben from Napkey Instruments, who cheerily dishes out the deets on their journey so far. The highlight? Their shiny new NapKey Chord, a Kickstarter campaign baby born at the end of last year. It’s all about making a splash in the music tech world with a product ready to ship mid-June.

Alright, buckle up, because the NapKey Chord is redefining what it means to strum. This isn’t just any old instrument—it’s a modern autoharp for the folks who want to get down to creating without traversing a tech manual. With 36 chord buttons morphing into 108 combinations, Napkey makes music-making look like a breeze. The play modes—strum, chord, and a quirky ‘play’ mode—offer three flavors to your sonic ice cream. One mode lets you strum away your stress, another sustains chords while you noodle on top, and the last lets you get rhythmic as heck. Synthanatomy gives us the lowdown on how each mode ramps up the fun without bogging you down with complexity.

As if that wasn’t tasty enough, it’s got an internal synth engine that plays well with your sound palettes—complete with customizable waveforms and a potentiometer to steer the sound ship. Ready to explore voicings? Just twiddle a knob. So, whether you’re channeling a chill melody or a driving rhythm, NapKey Chord has you covered. This gadget makes making music not just possible—but a downright party.

Portable beats heavy any day of the week, and the NapKey Chord proves it by running easily on USB-C. This thing is as lightweight as a laptop but loaded with way more fun. No internal battery? No sweat—hook it up to a power bank or reverse charge from your phone and keep the tunes rolling. Synthanatomy underscores its usability with mobile devices, so nomadic beatmakers can roam and create anywhere. Plug the NapKey into an iPhone or an Android, and it’s a full-blown MIDI controller. Got apps? Of course you do. Now they’re buddies with your NapKey. Whether you’re in the studio, at the park, or chilling on a rooftop, this autoharp-turned-synth-tool has the mobility to match your mojo.

Its lightweight frame makes it a traveler’s delight, weighing in at just about a kilo. NapKey Chord doesn’t just sound good—it’s crafted with care, proudly boasting French-made components. Synthanatomy captures this aesthetic, highlighting how its portable magic doesn’t skimp on the quality or style. Resembling a svelte piece of tech rather than a chunky tool, NapKey’s got you creating new tunes with flair.

Let’s talk numbers. NapKey Chord lands itself on your wish list at a launch price around 379 euros with a snazzy limited edition Ghost version ringing in at a cool 479 euros. Synthanatomy notes that while Kickstarter backers are getting theirs first by mid-June, the rest of us can snag one shortly after directly from their site. The price to fun ratio is one of those things that Synthanatomy’s always got an eye on, and for the NapKey Chord, it looks like a promising match.

You’re getting a compact, innovative music-making machine that wouldn’t break the bank. Made in the south of France with custom-designed buttons and top-notch materials, this autoharp’s quality sings louder than a late-night street performer. All this, wrapped up in a product that’s not just about form, but supreme function. For those looking to diversify their music toolset or simply pick up a new portable instrument that doubles as a conversation starter, this could be your next smart buy. Synthanatomy delivers the scoop on how NapKey Chord could just be the key to expanding your musical journey without burning your wallet.