Video & Creative AI
inMusic embraces open-source modding for hardware
The Verge AIhigh confidence
Why it matters
- →inMusic is legitimizing community-driven firmware modification as a core product feature.
- →The release of official SDKs lowers the barrier for developers to create safe, non-destructive mods.
- →This signals a broader industry shift where open-source hardware support becomes a competitive advantage.
inMusic, parent company of Akai and Moog, announced plans to open-source the code for its hardware devices and provide an SDK for developers to create modifications safely. CEO Jack O’Donnell stated that providing a 'toolbox' for the modding community is now a priority, aiming to balance artist reliability with creative freedom. The company will showcase this approach at NAMM through its Creator Lab, allowing hands-on hacking of 22 new products. This move contrasts with competitors like Elektron, which warns against firmware modifications, highlighting a growing industry split on how to handle user-led hardware customization.
Read originalThe story around this
Earlier coverage that leads up to this article, and what followed. Lines connect each piece to the closest one after it, converging here.
How we got here
- 1Meta Open Sources Muse Gadget Firmware
The AI Daily Brief · October 6, 2026 · Background
- 2Akai opens MPC Sample Key firmware to modders
The Verge AI · October 28, 2026 · Related
- 3DIY Muse Gadget proves Meta's hardware is just a dev kit
The Verge AI · October 31, 2026 · Background
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