Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with countless synthesizers, grooveboxes, and electronic instruments. Some impressed me with their sound quality, others with their workflow or innovative design. But every now and then, a piece of gear comes along that genuinely surprises me from the very first session.

Plinky+ by Making Sound Machines is one of those rare instruments.

I received it only a few weeks ago, and I have to admit—I fell in love with it almost instantly.
Some instruments take time to understand. Plinky+, on the other hand, creates an immediate connection. The moment your fingers touch its expressive surface, you’re no longer thinking about menus, settings, or synthesis techniques. You’re simply making music.

Since it arrived in my studio, it has become one of the instruments I reach for the most. Every session feels different, every sound leads somewhere unexpected, and before I know it, I’ve recorded new ideas that probably wouldn’t have existed without it.

A Completely Different Way to Play

The first thing you’ll notice is what’s missing: a traditional keyboard.
Instead, Plinky+ features a beautifully expressive touch surface made up of 64 pressure-sensitive pads arranged as eight virtual strings. Every movement of your fingers shapes the sound naturally, allowing you to control dynamics, expression, and subtle nuances in a way that feels incredibly intuitive.
You don’t need to be a pianist.
In fact, that’s one of its greatest strengths.

Rather than focusing on technique, Plinky+ encourages exploration. It invites you to listen, experiment, and let your hands discover melodies and textures organically. It feels less like playing an instrument and more like interacting with sound itself.

A Sound That Captivates You Instantly

If there’s one thing that truly won me over, it’s the sound.
It’s difficult to describe because it feels alive.
The textures are deep, the harmonics are rich, and every note seems to evolve naturally over time.
Plinky+ by Making Sound Machines isn’t just a synthesizer that helps you design interesting sounds.
It’s a synthesizer that makes you want to write music.
More than once, I found myself turning it on just to test a few presets, only to realize hours had passed while I was completely immersed in creating.

To me, that’s the biggest compliment you can give any musical instrument.

Powerful Synthesis Hidden Behind an Elegant Workflow

One of the things I appreciate most about Plinky+ is the balance between simplicity and depth.
The interface is intentionally minimal, encouraging creativity instead of distraction. Yet beneath that elegant design lies an impressively capable synthesis engine.

Each voice can use up to four oscillators, with multiple synthesis options alongside a sampler mode featuring granular synthesis, opening up an enormous range of sonic possibilities.
Filters, envelopes, modulation, delay, reverb, saturation, limiting, an arpeggiator, sequencer, and extensive customization options are all available when you need them.
The beauty is that none of this complexity ever gets in your way.
You can dive deep into sound design—or simply play.
And that’s exactly what makes Plinky+ so enjoyable.

The Plus Version Refines an Already Brilliant Concept

If you’re familiar with the original Plinky, the improvements introduced with Plinky+ by Making Sound Machines become obvious almost immediately.
The larger playing surface makes performances more comfortable, the bigger OLED display is significantly easier to read, and the metal enclosure gives the instrument a reassuring sense of durability and quality.

The redesigned audio path delivers improved sound quality, while enhanced MIDI and CV connectivity make Plinky+ equally at home in a traditional studio setup or an Eurorack environment.
These may seem like small upgrades on paper, but they make a noticeable difference during everyday use.

A Synthesizer That Inspires Creativity

Over the years, I’ve realized something important.
Technical specifications matter—but inspiration matters even more.
That’s where Plinky+ by Making Sound Machines stands out.
Every time I power it on, something new happens.
It’s rare to find an instrument capable of eliminating that intimidating “blank page” feeling every producer experiences from time to time.
With Plinky+, creativity seems to flow naturally.

Who Is It For?

If you’re looking for a traditional keyboard synthesizer, there are probably better options available.
But if you’re passionate about ambient music, cinematic composition, experimental electronic music, sound design, or simply want an instrument that encourages creativity instead of repetition, Plinky+ deserves your attention.
It’s equally at home as the centerpiece of a hardware studio or as an expressive companion alongside modular systems, synthesizers, and DAWs.

Final Thoughts

I usually avoid making strong judgments after only a few weeks with a new instrument.
I prefer spending time learning every detail before forming an opinion.
But Plinky+ has been different.
From the very first session, I had the feeling I was experiencing something genuinely special.
It’s more than a synthesizer.
It’s more than an expressive controller.
It has already earned a permanent place in my studio, and I’m convinced it will become part of many of my future productions.
If you’re searching for an instrument that inspires creativity before impressing you with technical specifications, Plinky+ is absolutely worth experiencing.
Personally, I can’t wait to keep exploring everything it has to offer.