Telepathic Instruments Launches Orchid Synthesizer

Telepathic Instruments, co-founded by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, has unveiled its first product, the Orchid synth. Previewed last week, this chord-generating synthesizer is crafted to be a songwriter’s creative ally. It allows users to choose a root note on its one-octave keyboard, select chords with eight dedicated buttons (Maj, Min, Dim, Min7, etc.), and fine-tune chord voicings through a novel, patent-pending dial. The synth engine supports 16 voices, complemented by a separate sub-bass engine and onboard effects for ambient and modulation enhancements.

Designed by co-founder Ignacio Germade, Orchid’s aesthetic mirrors the retro style of the ’70s, similar to Parker’s musical vibe. It features a burnt yellow shell, minimalist display, and integrated speakers for portability. Additionally, it’s battery-operable for on-the-go creativity, boasting sounds like a vintage reed piano based on a classic ’60s electric piano, plus virtual analog and FM synthesis with four oscillators, LFOs, envelope generators, and diverse filters.

Orchid offers four performance modes—strum, slop, arpeggiator, and harp—each providing distinct rates and styles for chord playback, and a loop mode for developing musical ideas. The unit includes MIDI output for control over DAWs and other instruments, drawing inspiration from the iconic Omnichord.

Orchid, priced at $549, is initially available in a limited run of 1,000 units starting December 18th for U.S. customers on the Telepathic Instruments website. The price may increase as the synth goes into broader production next year.