Impractical instruments for a problematic world
Small batch open source instruments and sound machines. You can buy things, or make them yourself.
Who makes these impractical things
This is mainly the work of Yann Seznec, based in Stockholm, Sweden. If you have questions about any project, or you want to talk about a custom project or something, email me: yann at yannseznec dot com.
Find Impractical Devices on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/impracticaldevices.
What are you doing right now
The current priority is the STR-500 string sampler instrument.
As of October 2026, the planned timeline for that is as follows:
Start this listGet this website up and running- Post a video that introduces the STR-500
- Send email to mailing list saying: 4 devices for sale, more options available soon
Order more PCBsUpdate the source repo (especially BOM)- Sell first 4 devices (October 2026)
- Post a video about hacking Gametraks
- Find more Gametraks and build/sell more devices as they come in
- Set up web store system for selling PCBs etc
- Make and post video about soldering the PCB
- Make and post video about alternative hardware options
- Make and post video about the code
- Make and post video about flashing the code to the Seed (updating the STR-500)
- PCB sales announcement (November 2026)
- PCB and Assembled PCB sales
- Make and post video about configuring different code
- Make a potentiometer only version? Slider instead of string? (January 2027)