What is it?

The Plinky Synth V3.1 "Sick White" Limited Edition is an 8-voice expressive polyphonic touch synthesizer, sampler, and granular engine that specializes in fragile, melancholic sounds. Designed by mmalex and produced in collaboration with Making Sound Machines, this version features 64 pressure-sensitive pads arranged in eight vertical "strings"—each functioning as an independent monophonic strip tuned in musical fifths from left to right. Every voice offers up to four oscillators (pulse, supersaw, or wavetable) or granular sampler grains, white noise, two ADSR envelopes, and a resonant 2-pole low-pass gate controlled by touch pressure. This special edition ships in a striking white finish with metallic particle back panel, gold-plated audio I/O, full-solid-metal knobs, and a custom 3D-printed enclosure. It functions as both a standalone desktop instrument with stereo line I/O and headphone output, and as a 24HP Eurorack module with comprehensive CV/Gate integration, TRS MIDI I/O, and USB-C connectivity.

Why did you make it?

We created the "Sick White" edition to address the growing demand for a premium, collector-grade Plinky that combines boutique aesthetics with community-driven hardware refinements. While Plinky v3's open-source design delivers exceptional musicality through its string-like interface and West Coast-inspired architecture, DIY builds often face challenges with screen stability, unclear port labeling, and non-functional USB expansion ports inherited from early design files. This version resolves those pain points by adding a 3D-printed screen bracket for precise display alignment, laser-etched text on the inner back panel for instant I/O identification, and a corrected USB expansion circuit. The white finish celebrates Plinky's identity as both a studio instrument and a design object, while premium metal knobs and gold-plated jacks provide the tactile satisfaction that serious performers demand.

What makes it special?

This limited edition stands apart through meticulous hardware curation and aesthetic distinction. The custom white panels feature smaller, more refined LED holes that produce softer, less harsh illumination while maintaining reasonable power consumption—each LED carefully selected for color accuracy. The metallic particle back panel adds visual depth, while the inner panel labeling eliminates the frustration of hunting for ports during cable patching. Every unit undergoes rigorous 100% functional testing of all I/O ports, including the newly-fixed USB expansion. The V3.1 revision maintains full firmware compatibility with the acclaimed Making Sound Machines version, preserving the signature sound engine that made Plinky a cult favorite. Gold-plated I/O ensures pristine signal integrity, the full-solid-metal knobs offer satisfying rotational precision, and the custom enclosure—available in both standalone and Eurorack-specific designs—provides protection without sacrificing access. This is Plinky elevated: same powerful granular synthesis and expressive touch control, now in a finish worthy of your studio's centerpiece.