
Soorya I. 2025 | BASIS Independent Fremont
- Project Title: Democratizing Music: Manufacturing an Accessible, Integrated Kit for Composition and Live Performance
- BASIS Independent Advisor: Ms. Apra
I began learning piano at the age of three with the intent of progressing through standardized examinations. Practically, this entailed hours of rote memorization of classical pieces, and while having perfect pitch expedited the process, I found no joy in it. At 11 years old, I pivoted into electronic music production, a field where I could compose my own ideas; to date, I’ve spent thousands of hours working on original music using Logic Pro X (comparable to GarageBand), creating with computer-generated sound.
Unfortunately, a major barrier exists for young musicians who hope to follow the same path: cost. Even beginner equipment can run into four-digits, depending on your specialization within electronic music. Worst of all, several personal forays into product development and small business have taught me most of that equipment cost lurks in profit margins.
So I’m building a prototype: an analog synthesizer interface, an isomorphic MIDI controller, and custom software for live sequencing and performance, all rolled into a device as portable and affordable as a Nintendo Switch. In other words, it’s an electronic musician’s entire studio in your backpack at a fraction of the cost. By the end of this project, I’ll have functional, scalable, intuitive equipment that I will use to compose and perform an original song in front of a live audience.
I’ll be remotely working with Hack Club’s Chris Walker, an expert on integrated systems (and a lover of strange piano keyboard layouts) to develop the software and CAD for my prototype. But for the most part, I’ll be relying on my own expertise in the fields of music, computer science, and product design to make this dream happen.