Would you love to launch your own Middle Ages band but can’t find a lutist let alone a good hurdy gurdy player? First off, congratulations on knowing what a hurdy gurdy is (man). But second and more importantly, you no longer need real musicians to help you create Medieval sounds. You can make your own “magical melodies, sultry songs and bubonic beats” with this delightful, first-ever Medieval sampler composer.
Teenage Engineering wants to make the music of the Middle Ages more accessible than it’s been in centuries. The company’s original EP–1320 music machine comes loaded with “hundreds of built-in Medieval sounds.” Measuring a lithe 9.5-inches by 7-inches by 0.7-inches, this fantastic machine packs a musical punch. That includes lutes “thundering drums,” “punishing percussive,” and more sounds that make up a library of “phrases, play ready instruments, and one-shot samples. Here’s the sampler’s official description:
A redesigned set of send effects and punch-in FX, a brand new arpeggiator and a collection of craftily captured multi-sampled instruments. The line input and the internal microphone allow you to sample your own sounds in just seconds. Whether you’re into making sultry serenades or bubonic beats, the EP-1320 has you covered.
The whole machine requires just four AAA batteries or a USB-C. It also boasts a built-in mic and speaker, six stereo voices, and 128MB memory. And it just looks really cool.
We don’t know what a full Medieval band would cost to hire, but it’s definitely more than this sampler. You can play your own period pieces or play along with classic tracks for $299. The device’s official page has some excellent samples you can listen to so you can really appreciate what it can do. It also has its own line of accessories, including a quilted bag.
For everything it can do, though, the Medieval music box is worth it for one reason alone. It will put a hurdy gurdy in your hands even if you don’t know what kind of instrument that really is.
