ALT is a new analogue instrument – described as a soundscape synthesizer – from French manufacturer Cyma Forma. It's not often we spot a pin matrix on a new synth these days, but that's exactly what you'll find adorning the right side of ALT. And it's taking us back to the days of the EMS Synthi and the ARP 2500.

ALT also has "eyes and ears"; two light sensors and a built-in mic let you modulate patches using light and sound, using environmental stimuli such as a room's lighting or acoustics to shape your tones. You can even hook up the light sensors to pitch and volume in order to play ALT like a theremin. All in all it adds up to one of the most interesting new instruments we've seen in a while.

We hooked up with the synth's creators at Superbooth 2024 to get a demo.

ALT is launching on Kickstarter on 22 May. Find out more at: https://www.cymaforma.com/