Kiwi Electronics : Online Storefront
Kiwi Electronics was a small electronics design studio specializing in the creation of hardware interfaces for navigating sonic and visual environments. Founded in 2011, Kiwi started off catering primarily to the noise and chiptune music communities through DIY products including MIDI interfaces and matrix mixers. In its final years, Kiwi focused on designing affordable modular controllers. The studio closed in early 2018 with over 500 customers and over ten completed designs.
Matrix Mixer
The passive matrix mixer is an invaluable tool for noise artists whose practice is based in feedback loops. Devices like these have found fame through their heavy use by avant-garde composers like David Tudor and Merzbow. The Kiwi Matrix Mixer is the most compact iteration ever produced for sale. A kit version was also made available to electronics hobbyists.
Modi
Modi is a expandable controller bank system designed for AVR microcontroller platforms like Arduino and Teensy. There are four distinct module types available, each consisting of either 8 or 16 individually readable analog or digital controllers. Modi boards can be stacked to support up to 64 inputs making them ideal for MIDI/OSC projects. The system utilizes the 4051 8-channel analog multiplexer and a firmware library to collect readings. A smoothing method is included in the library to facilitate stable readings.
Arduinoboy
The Arduinoboy is an open source project by Timothy Lamb from 2008. The software is designed for the Arduino hardware platform and allows MIDI communication to music applications on the Nintendo Gameboy such as LittleSoundDJ, Nanoloop, and mGB. Kiwi electronics created the first commercial release of Lamb's hardware and software design.Generation I : Aluminum
A set of five Arduinoboys were created using aluminum stompbox enclosures. The circuits were built on protoboards and the panel components hand wired. This version allowed for MIDI OUT messages and received power from the Gameboy.
Generation II : Commercial Release
For this iteration, professionally printed circuit boards were used along with compact powder coated aluminum enclosures. This version had both MIDI IN and OUT and was powered using a 9V external supply. Kits were also released for experienced hobbyists who could supply their own housing for the device.
Generation III : Acrylic
In this final iteration all components were board-mounted inside an open acrylic enclosure. This streamlining allowed not only for more units to be produced, but also the ability to offer kits to beginner electronics hobbyists.
MFOS Noise Toaster
The Noise Toaster is a lo-fi analog noise synthesizer designed by Ray Wilson of Music from Outer Space (MFOS). This version from Kiwi Electronics included a modification that allows for external CV control of the VCO as well as an input that passes a mono audio signal through the VCF. The noise maker shines when run through effects pedals. 
Brendan is a Brooklyn-based designer
hello@brendanbyrne.info
hello@brendanbyrne.info