For creators and educators looking to merge music with hands-on hardware, a new device has entered the market that is as playful as it is functional. Manufactured by Microkits and priced at $80, the Banan-a-Synth is a 20-note, capacitive touch keyboard designed in the distinct shape of a banana. Featuring a robust built-in speaker, flexible sound customization, and complete screen-free portability, the device aims to bring accessible electronic music generation to classrooms, workshops, and hobbyists alike.
The Banan-a-Synth was brought to life following a successful Kickstarter campaign led by inventor David Levi. Thanks to a stretch goal funded during the campaign, the hardware features a protective, flexible yellow peel on the back of the circuit board, enhancing its whimsical aesthetic while keeping the electronics safe during use. Available for purchase through microkits.net and the Maker Shed, the instrument comes ready to play out of the box with two included AA batteries, offering up to five hours of continuous playtime. Alternatively, users can power the device using a USB-C cable, though the cord is sold separately.
Measuring roughly the size of a real banana, the device manages to pack a surprising punch in terms of audio output. It includes a variety of onboard instrument sounds and audio effects—ranging from a classic jaw harp to an adorable "ba-na-na" vocal mode—alongside layerable effects such as pitch bend, high-pass and low-pass filtering, and delay.
Designed to be completely self-contained, the synthesizer operates entirely screen-free. This feature has drawn praise from educators and parents who frequently navigate the challenges of digital distraction in learning environments. Unlike many microcontroller-based music projects that require a tether to a computer, tablet, or smartphone, the Banan-a-Synth allows players to dive straight into sound creation without navigating software interfaces or managing Bluetooth connections.
While the device is not programmable in the traditional sense, it offers a wide array of tweakable parameters to keep users engaged. Players can easily adjust the metronome beat, reposition Middle C, and modify various sound parameters dynamically through touch-sensitive controls.
Beyond its standalone capabilities, the Banan-a-Synth features built-in flexibility for maker-style experimentation. The package includes alligator clip wires that can be attached to the note pins and the ground pin, allowing users to connect external conductive materials—such as real bananas, foil, or house plants—and play them like physical keys. A full-color instruction guide is included to help users get started with these creative setups, with additional online learning resources planned by the manufacturer.
Reviewers and early users note that playing the compact keyboard is intuitive, though navigating the closely spaced capacitive pads requires a bit of precision. Players with smaller fingers or children may find the layout particularly accommodating. For those whose natural skin resistance differs from the average human baseline, the device includes a small sensitivity-adjustment screw on the back of the board, ensuring reliable touch detection across different users.
As the Banan-a-Synth finds its way into hands-on classrooms and maker spaces, it offers an engaging entry point into electronic audio synthesis. By bridging the gap between quirky novelty and genuine musical capability, Microkits has delivered a portable instrument that encourages spontaneous creativity without the need for screens or complex coding.
