Thoughtful Things launches Engram: AI sampler starting at $675

Thoughtful Things has recently launched its first instrument on Kickstarter, called Engram. This device acts as a sampler and groovebox, utilizing artificial intelligence to manipulate incoming audio and create new sounds. The campaign focuses on a limited edition for backers, making it an exclusive offer for interested musicians.

A notable feature of Engram is that it runs locally on an internal AI, requiring no internet connection. This AI is designed and trained in-house, giving users the ability to customize the firmware or even load their own models. This makes Engram particularly suitable for musicians aimed at creating experimental sounds.

According to founder Evan King, Engram can be seen as an exploration tool for "latent space" and a way to explore AI hallucinations. The device allows users to push audio models to their limits and create unusual audio effects. The campaign emphasizes that it's not about regular, commercial music production, but about obtaining vague and glitchy sounds through creative experimentation.

The Kickstarter campaign starts at a price of $675 for a limited edition, while the expected retail price will be between $850 and $900, given the thirty percent discount for early backers. Thoughtful Things has also highlighted that the audio models have been trained on open datasets that fall under a commercial license, which is a crucial aspect for musicians concerned about copyrights and sources. The initial price for the first batch underscores the exclusivity of this innovative instrument.

Read the full article from AI Insider.