Mangsynth

2025-2026

Mangsynth is a modular synthesizer combining physical strings, electronic music synthesis, physical computing, and electromagnetic phenomena designed by Michael Ang. The physical strings serve as the starting point for the sound which is then modified by a modular synthesizer. The strings can be plucked by hand or mechanically actuated from a custom-programmed CircuitPython board. The mix of strings, electronic sound synthesis, and physical computing create unique opportunities for an expressive hybrid musical performance. The Mangsynth is designed as an open playground for experimentation using a mix of 3D printed parts, readily available components, and open source code.

Shapes and code:
https://github.com/mangtronix/Magnesynth

Mangsynth at Dinacon 2025

For Dinacon Bali I brought my self-developed Mangsynth modular string synthesizer and augmented it for it to be played by multiple people at once. The Mangsynth is a modular system for combining physical strings, electronic sound synthesis / effects, and physical computing (for example servo actuators) into a hands-on musical instrument. The physical expressiveness of the strings blends with the possibilities of electronic sound synthesis and logical code of the on-board CircuitPython processor.

While in Ubud I was struck by how several instruments in the traditional gamelan are designed to be played in pairs of two performers or even with multiple people playing the same instrument at once. One of the playing styles is the kotekan, where two performers play fast (almost gymnastic) interlocking melodies. To enable the Mangsynth to be played by multiple people at once I hacked a contact microphone and placed it under one of the existing 3D printed bridges that carry the strings. This activated the entire instrument to be played by picking up vibrations anywhere through the entire frame, and even turned the table under the Mangsynth into a kind of amplified drum!

I set up the Mangsynth on a table overlooking the sea, and it wasn’t long before Wira and Wilan started jamming together on it, without any kind of prompting. Magic! The different tones from different parts of the Mangsynth locked together in a relaxed ambient rhythmic groove. Later I joined the jam with smiles all round!