For makers and artists, this handheld is a chaotic canvas rather than a conventional instrument
You press a button to initiate the sequence, but the outcome remains unpredictable. The display projects erratic patterns directly at you, while the physical controls perform ambiguous functions. Tapping the screen triggers a reset, yet once linked to a system, the AW noise maker acts as a portal into distorted sonic landscapes.
Those immersed in this sphere may recognise Audiowanderer from a history of audiovisual projects, having left behind code, patches, Lemur templates, and similar resources. This includes work under the MALAVENTURA moniker, accessible via the linkhole on his about page.
However, the AW noise maker is a distinct piece of “broken” art in handheld form. Although the creator warns that it is “a non-idiomatic synth made not to be controlled or understood in any manner,” I found it surprisingly playable. It is at least a wave you can surf, proving louder and more expansive than its initial appearance suggests.
Opening its charming, handcrafted enclosure reveals sparse instructions accompanied by a warning:
The unit is compact, featuring an OLED that stares back with shifting visuals. Power is supplied via USB-C. My MacBook’s port generated significant noise when connected, though I chose to retain the output as intended noise. (Utilising a dongle and being mindful of connection points can mitigate this issue.) The device outputs minijack stereo signals. I routed this through a Focusrite audio interface, finding the signal generally manageable despite occasional very hot spikes.
The sonic environments within are simply wonderful. Listening to the raw output is fantastic, and I can already hear its potential as a sample source, with viable applications for live sets, particularly when routed into other configurations. It is noisy in precisely the right way. It is deliciously sonorous.
Just listen:
Warning – video contains flashing images / rapid glitches.
Thanks, AW! It is a genuine pleasure to encounter a device that feels like an album realised in electronics, functioning as an instrument all at once.
Here is his official video. Greetings to southern Spain…
Project details and ordering (current run is in stock as I write this): https://audiowanderer.com/AW/bringing-the-noiseeee/
Key takeaways
- The AW noise maker defies traditional control, offering a “non-idiomatic” experience that rewards curiosity over strict methodology.
- Physical construction is compact with an OLED display, USB-C power input, and minijack stereo output, though users should manage potential electrical noise from laptop ports.
- Beyond raw experimentation, the unit offers substantial utility for sampling and live performance when integrated into broader audio setups.
- The creator, Audiowanderer (also known as MALAVENTURA), frames the device as a “broken” art object that functions simultaneously as a finished album and a generative tool.
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