Brooklyn EXPO 2026: Greenwaves - Onde-a-like

We spoke to Joe from Idiotech Devices about Greenwaves Synthesizer, an Ondes Martenot-inspired instrument influenced partly by Johnny Greenwood's use of the original French electronic instrument.

The instrument is a standalone digital synthesizer and also works as a MIDI and CV controller. It generates sound internally, controls standard 5-pin MIDI devices, and sends CV for Eurorack-compatible equipment. Its synthesis engine includes sine, square-style, triangle-style and folded sine waveforms, with wave shaping, pulse-width control, low-pass filtering and additive-style blending between wave sources.

Joe demonstrated the two-handed playing approach. Pitch is controlled from the fingerboard, with unquantised movement for slides and microtones, while volume comes from a touch-sensitive key. The key responds to gradual pressure for swells and taps for staccato articulation. The display updates as the faders move and pauses while notes are being played.

A spring reverb algorithm models the resonance speaker concept from the original Ondes Martenot system, with wet/dry control. The synth is available for pre-order at $1,700, with hand-built units expected to ship in early 2027.

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