Boom or Bust: Telepathic

Co-founded by Kevin Parker, Telepathic Instruments is the newest company to hit the market.

Kevin Parker is the sole member of Tame Impala, and in 2024, the Telepathic website launched in June, with the tagline “Are you listening?”

Only a newsletter sign up was available at the time.



Upon signing up, everyone got the first email, “You’re on the list.” In the email contained the text, “You’ll know it when you hear it.” And also included two redirects, clicking the GIF logo sent you to the music video of “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley on YouTube. Upon clicking the text, you were sent to the Wikipedia article for the Circle of fifths.



Following a five month wait for the next announcement, many speculated on if the company was real to begin with.

One theory suggested that it was a fake company used to promote an upcoming fifth album much like the fictional Rushium drug used as the rollout for his fourth album, The Slow Rush. Another similar theory involved the Circle of fifths redirect, mentioning that it represents the rollout for his fifth album.

On November 18th, users who signed up for the newsletter got a brand new email and announcement from the company. The announcement? Their first synth, Orchid, received its first trailer. Branded as a chord progressor, the video showed a first look at the instrument. It received very positive reviews, as it was still mostly unknown what it was capable of.

The Orchid’s tagline is “Find what’s on your mind.” A week later, the second video came for the Orchid, showing off its use and what it can do. Once again, the video received extremely positive reviews, as it featured a sample of what could be done using the machine, although it was still questionable as pricing was not announced until weeks later.

Album rollout theories were also debunked on the website. On the FAQ, the question “Is This An Album?” was answered “Nope. This is more like an... Ideas Machine.”

The ORCHID ORC-1000 went on pre-order on December 18th. The price was $549, with shipping at $39. (all prices USD.) Only 1,000 units were available for purchase, and shipping begins in February. The pre-order required a password available on the Patreon launch page, and were sold out in minutes, with many disappointed that a fast purchase attempt was too late, although there was possibility that some orders were glitched.

The Orchid supports chord voicing, USB-C charging, different performance modes, (Strum, Slop, Arpeggiator, Pattern and Harp) and is capable of sending chords directly to your DAW via MIDI. The entire branding of the Orchid is an “ideas machine” and is meant to have rapid response so the idea doesn’t leave your mind.

While it’s a great concept, many feel the device isn’t fully worth the price. Many alternatives have been suggested for cheaper; many say that it’s an overpriced method to not require music theory knowledge.

No matter the case, it’ll be very interesting to see the reviews that roll out, and until then and global release, we won’t fully know what to expect. For having his name plastered all over the product, Kevin Parker / Tame Impala must deliver something worthy.

 

View attachment 35186

Co-founded by Kevin Parker, Telepathic Instruments is the newest company to hit the market.

Kevin Parker is the sole member of Tame Impala, and in 2024, the Telepathic website launched in June, with the tagline “Are you listening?”

Only a newsletter sign up was available at the time.

View attachment 35188

Upon signing up, everyone got the first email, “You’re on the list.” In the email contained the text, “You’ll know it when you hear it.” And also included two redirects, clicking the GIF logo sent you to the music video of “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley on YouTube. Upon clicking the text, you were sent to the Wikipedia article for the Circle of fifths.

View attachment 35187

Following a five month wait for the next announcement, many speculated on if the company was real to begin with.

One theory suggested that it was a fake company used to promote an upcoming fifth album much like the fictional Rushium drug used as the rollout for his fourth album, The Slow Rush. Another similar theory involved the Circle of fifths redirect, mentioning that it represents the rollout for his fifth album.

On November 18th, users who signed up for the newsletter got a brand new email and announcement from the company. The announcement? Their first synth, Orchid, received its first trailer. Branded as a chord progressor, the video showed a first look at the instrument. It received very positive reviews, as it was still mostly unknown what it was capable of.

The Orchid’s tagline is “Find what’s on your mind.” A week later, the second video came for the Orchid, showing off its use and what it can do. Once again, the video received extremely positive reviews, as it featured a sample of what could be done using the machine, although it was still questionable as pricing was not announced until weeks later.

Album rollout theories were also debunked on the website. On the FAQ, the question “Is This An Album?” was answered “Nope. This is more like an... Ideas Machine.”

The ORCHID ORC-1000 went on pre-order on December 18th. The price was $549, with shipping at $39. (all prices USD.) Only 1,000 units were available for purchase, and shipping begins in February. The pre-order required a password available on the Patreon launch page, and were sold out in minutes, with many disappointed that a fast purchase attempt was too late, although there was possibility that some orders were glitched.

The Orchid supports chord voicing, USB-C charging, different performance modes, (Strum, Slop, Arpeggiator, Pattern and Harp) and is capable of sending chords directly to your DAW via MIDI. The entire branding of the Orchid is an “ideas machine” and is meant to have rapid response so the idea doesn’t leave your mind.

While it’s a great concept, many feel the device isn’t fully worth the price. Many alternatives have been suggested for cheaper; many say that it’s an overpriced method to not require music theory knowledge.

No matter the case, it’ll be very interesting to see the reviews that roll out, and until then and global release, we won’t fully know what to expect. For having his name plastered all over the product, Kevin Parker / Tame Impala must deliver something worthy.View attachment 35186

nice!

 

Fire

 

nice

 

View attachment 35186

Co-founded by Kevin Parker, Telepathic Instruments is the newest company to hit the market.

Kevin Parker is the sole member of Tame Impala, and in 2024, the Telepathic website launched in June, with the tagline “Are you listening?”

Only a newsletter sign up was available at the time.

View attachment 35188

Upon signing up, everyone got the first email, “You’re on the list.” In the email contained the text, “You’ll know it when you hear it.” And also included two redirects, clicking the GIF logo sent you to the music video of “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley on YouTube. Upon clicking the text, you were sent to the Wikipedia article for the Circle of fifths.

View attachment 35187

Following a five month wait for the next announcement, many speculated on if the company was real to begin with.

One theory suggested that it was a fake company used to promote an upcoming fifth album much like the fictional Rushium drug used as the rollout for his fourth album, The Slow Rush. Another similar theory involved the Circle of fifths redirect, mentioning that it represents the rollout for his fifth album.

On November 18th, users who signed up for the newsletter got a brand new email and announcement from the company. The announcement? Their first synth, Orchid, received its first trailer. Branded as a chord progressor, the video showed a first look at the instrument. It received very positive reviews, as it was still mostly unknown what it was capable of.

The Orchid’s tagline is “Find what’s on your mind.” A week later, the second video came for the Orchid, showing off its use and what it can do. Once again, the video received extremely positive reviews, as it featured a sample of what could be done using the machine, although it was still questionable as pricing was not announced until weeks later.

Album rollout theories were also debunked on the website. On the FAQ, the question “Is This An Album?” was answered “Nope. This is more like an... Ideas Machine.”

The ORCHID ORC-1000 went on pre-order on December 18th. The price was $549, with shipping at $39. (all prices USD.) Only 1,000 units were available for purchase, and shipping begins in February. The pre-order required a password available on the Patreon launch page, and were sold out in minutes, with many disappointed that a fast purchase attempt was too late, although there was possibility that some orders were glitched.

The Orchid supports chord voicing, USB-C charging, different performance modes, (Strum, Slop, Arpeggiator, Pattern and Harp) and is capable of sending chords directly to your DAW via MIDI. The entire branding of the Orchid is an “ideas machine” and is meant to have rapid response so the idea doesn’t leave your mind.

While it’s a great concept, many feel the device isn’t fully worth the price. Many alternatives have been suggested for cheaper; many say that it’s an overpriced method to not require music theory knowledge.

No matter the case, it’ll be very interesting to see the reviews that roll out, and until then and global release, we won’t fully know what to expect. For having his name plastered all over the product, Kevin Parker / Tame Impala must deliver something worthy.View attachment 35186

is there like some kind of tutorial how you use that shit?

 

what are your thoughts on digital vs analog instruments? personally i've become completely addicted to anything that is analog, not because digital is bad or anything but mostly for obscure purist reasons

 

what are your thoughts on digital vs analog instruments? personally i've become completely addicted to anything that is analog, not because digital is bad or anything but mostly for obscure purist reasons

It's raw. The sound IS better. You couldn't tell me you prefer digital remasters. Listen to 90s rock original masters and remasters, and tell me there's not a difference somewhere in there.

 

It's raw. The sound IS better. You couldn't tell me you prefer digital remasters. Listen to 90s rock original masters and remasters, and tell me there's not a difference somewhere in there.

It is better, I never disagreed with you there. The difference is definitely there which is why I've switched every audio amplifier, instrument and display (CRT's and plasma TV's) with tech that was made 90's - late 00's. Its hard to find and most of the time and more expensive, but after comparing everything back to back analog always wins. I've probably spent $15k on analog equipment alone.

I'm actually one of the few people in my state (MST timezone) that are able to repair these types of things. I've worked on everything from $5k audio amplifiers, Sony BVM's, and American Fenders / Moog instruments between the years of 1950-1970. Learning how to repair retro technology is one of the best things you can do, there is a reason why they last over a 100 years while your iPhone headphones have an expected life of 10 years. Digital is not bad at all though, in fact it would be a lie to say it isn't close. OLED's, Bluetooth and other FPGA devices win in certain areas where old analog equipment cannot. It is completely possible to remaster an album and have it sound better than the older one with the right equipment.

Microchips are the death of repairable technology, you should look into analog equipment if your only experience with analog is 90's rock masters.

 

It is better, I never disagreed with you there. The difference is definitely there which is why I've switched every audio amplifier, instrument and display (CRT's and plasma TV's) with tech that was made 90's - late 00's. Its hard to find and most of the time and more expensive, but after comparing everything back to back analog always wins. I've probably spent $15k on analog equipment alone.

I'm actually one of the few people in my state (MST timezone) that are able to repair these types of things. I've worked on everything from $5k audio amplifiers, Sony BVM's, and American Fenders / Moog instruments between the years of 1950-1970. Learning how to repair retro technology is one of the best things you can do, there is a reason why they last over a 100 years while your iPhone headphones have an expected life of 10 years. Digital is not bad at all though, in fact it would be a lie to say it isn't close. OLED's, Bluetooth and other FPGA devices win in certain areas where old analog equipment cannot. It is completely possible to remaster an album and have it sound better than the older one with the right equipment.

Microchips are the death of repairable technology, you should look into analog equipment if your only experience with analog is 90's rock masters.

LMFAO nah that's not my only experience but it's a really vague comparison

that's really sick that you can repair so much analog equipment; maybe one day i'll try to learn more about analog components since the digital equipment gets replaced every year anyways

 

LMFAO nah that's not my only experience but it's a really vague comparison

that's really sick that you can repair so much analog equipment; maybe one day i'll try to learn more about analog components since the digital equipment gets replaced every year anyways

you'll never regret it, it is a massive rabbit hole though. i still use digital sometimes for ease of use (like airpods) but fuck I can't use anything else when I'm home. anything engineered by the big companies back then in the 70's - 90's really has stood the test of time so fucking well, 90's era Sony and Pioneer especially is where it really peaked for audio if thats your main interest in analog atm, they're actually not too difficult to find and people sell them on FBM for $20 not realizing they go for hundreds on eBay.

I highly recommend FBM for anything analog in general actually, you'll be surprised to see so many people sell 20 year old thousand dollar equipment for pennies. stuff that will make the average $400 fiio dac / amp sound like shit in comparison, which up until this point was my main way to listen to music (and sometimes vinyl)