inMusic Pivots to Open-Source Strategy to Embrace Modding Community
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The parent company of Akai and Moog is shifting toward 'vibe-coded' customizations, signaling a broader industry trend toward hackable hardware.
inMusic, the parent company of Moog, Akai, and Native Instruments, is shifting its strategy to embrace the modding community, as The Verge first reported. In an interview with The Verge, inMusic CEO Jack O’Donnell stated the company will provide a "toolbox" for users, which includes making the code for the MPC Sample Key open source and offering a Software Development Kit (SDK) to help developers modify devices without risking hardware failure.
O’Donnell noted that while the company prioritizes stability for professional artists on stage, they intend to provide a reset button to allow for experimentation. This initiative will culminate at the NAMM convention in Anaheim via the "Creator Lab," where users can hack 22 products across inMusic brands. O’Donnell indicated that this shift happened rapidly, noting the move was not on the company's task list five weeks prior.
The move follows a broader industry trend. The Verge reports that Polyend has open-sourced its Tracker grooveboxes and Erica Synths released the source code for the LXR-02 drum machine. Additionally, Behringer has announced several open-source devices, including the Ignite sequencer, the Anima DJ controller, the Polykeys 61 MIDI controller, a clone of the E-mu SP-1200, and the $150 Kick, which is a clone of the MPC One.
Not all manufacturers are fully aligned. Elektron has expressed mixed feelings, banning links to modified firmware and hacks on its official forums. In a forum statement, Elektron warned that such modifications could brick instruments, void warranties, or prevent updates. However, O’Donnell told The Verge that attempting to wall off the modding community is a "losing battle."