The Origins of Musichello (2001)
The Musichello was the very early prototype Giovanni developed during the summer of 2001. While participating in the Haack Meeting in Catania, he started building this synth with recycled electronic parts inside an old wooden wine box. Consequently, this unique project was born from a pure hardware hacking philosophy, beautifully blending art and underground electronic engineering.
Meeting at Otolab and the LepLoop Evolution (2005)
A few years later, around 2005, we met in Milan at Otolab and subsequently began developing the LepLoop prototype. This new venture started directly from the original Musichello circuit. Because we wanted to keep the raw, unpredictable soul of that first experiment, we focused on creating a compact instrument designed specifically for live electronic music performances. Therefore, the evolution from a recycled wooden box to a boutique synthesizer marked the official beginning of Laboratorio Elettronico Popolare (L.E.P.). As a result, the Musichello project represents the concrete foundation of our entire boutique synthesizer collection.
Technical Specifications and Sound Engine
Technical Specifications and Sound Engine
Regarding its technical architecture, the original Musichello featured a unique 64-step capacitor sequencer alongside a wooden one-octave keyboard. Furthermore, 16 television tuners were ingeniously used to set the capacitor sequencer notes. Inside its analog sound engine, Giovanni integrated two VCOs, a noise generator, two envelopes, and an LFO. In addition to these modules, he included the signature ‘cassa’ (kick drum) which later became a staple of our standard production. Every single component of the Musichello design truly told a story of electronic recycling and creative intuition.
A Journey Documented by RackEars
Today, looking back at those early days in Catania and Milan, we are proud of how those circuits evolved into instruments loved by artists worldwide. However, we couldn’t have done it without the support of the community. Special thanks go to Richie at RackEars, who wrote this article exploring the deep history and philosophy behind our work. It perfectly captures how we organically built our boutique synth business from that first Musichello prototype.
Listen to the 2007 Musichello Raw Set and Prototype History
Additionally, Giovanni gave me a rare original recording he made around 2007 using the Musichello. It is a completely raw live set that I have put together in this video. By combining the historical audio with archive photos, we can track our various prototypes over the years, leading all the way up to the latest LepLoop edition. Watching this timeline allows you to fully experience the gritty sonic evolution of our hardware hacking journey.
From Musichello to LepLoop: Prototypes and Version Gallery
In addition to the audio archives, we want to share the original photos of the early LepLoop prototype alongside the various versions we developed throughout our history. This comprehensive visual timeline beautifully showcases the aesthetic and technical evolution of our instruments over the decades. Each image captures a specific milestone in our research.
Evolution of the LepLoop Front Panel Graphics
Crucially, to better understand how the instrument evolved visually, we have collected the different front panel graphic designs created over time. Each layout reflects a unique step in refining the user interface, knobs placement, and overall aesthetic identity of the synthesizer. These variations demonstrate our ongoing commitment to functional design and underground art.
