Thoughtful Things Launches Engram, an AI-Powered Sampler Designed to Create Experimental Audio Hallucinations

The Verge•Published: Sep 28, 2026 02:16 AM IST

Music startup Thoughtful Things has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Engram, a unique sampler and groovebox that utilizes local AI to manipulate audio and generate experimental sounds. Unlike automated song-generation tools, the device is designed for sound designers and musicians to explore the uncanny, glitchy potential of AI models.

Local Processing: The device operates entirely offline, running a custom-trained "tiny AI" model locally to ensure privacy and creative control.
Ethical Training: The company explicitly states that its models are trained exclusively on commercially licensed datasets, avoiding pirated or stolen audio content.
Open Firmware: Thoughtful Things plans to make the device's firmware accessible, allowing users to customize the software or load their own proprietary AI models.
Pricing Details: The initial Kickstarter units are priced at $675, representing a 30 percent discount off the expected future retail price of $850 to $900.

The Context & Background

This instrument draws inspiration from the practice of circuit bending, where hardware is modified to produce unexpected results. By applying this philosophy to AI, the creators aim to provide a "field recorder for latent space" that encourages users to push generative models beyond their intended parameters.

Why it matters:Engram represents a shift in AI music tools, moving away from automated composition toward experimental sound design. By prioritizing ethical training data and local processing, it offers a transparent alternative to cloud-based generative platforms, empowering artists to use AI as a creative instrument rather than a replacement for human artistry.

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