Hello, we are Napkey Instruments and we’re thrilled to introduce you to the NapkeyChord! 

With 108 chords at your fingertips, play timeless songs, create future sounds. 

The NapkeyChord is an electronic autoharp that breaks traditional boundaries and expands creative possibilities for musicians of all levels. Designed by musicians for musicians, its intuitive ergonomics empower you to play and compose with ease.

The NapkeyChord is a portable and sleek instrument, with 108 chords offering infinite possibilities. The NapkeyChord provides 36 major, minor and 7th chords, and the ability to unlock up to 108 chords (the 24 maj7 and min7 chords, the 24 augmented and diminished chords, and the 24 sus4 and add9 chords). Its expressive touchpad allows you to create rich atmospheres, accompaniments, and sounds that will elevate your musical journey. You’ll love the way it feels and sounds!

This is the electronic autoharp that musicians deserve — a perfect blend of vintage inspiration and modern innovation, designed to make creating music more accessible and exciting than ever before. By supporting this project, backers will help bring a truly unique instrument to life.

 

Imagined as a more user and live-friendly version of the autoharp, the NapkeyChord is small, ergonomic and light, perfect for both jam or studio sessions! Trigger any hardware synth or VST thanks to its dual MIDI output (via USB C or TRS type A).

It’s also perfectly convenient to be used on a desk or in a studio, and travel with you in your cabin luggage or backpack. Its sleek and retro design makes it a unique instrument that will follow you wherever and whenever.
 

The NapkeyChord is a modern take of the autoharp designed to make playing chords accessible to everyone, from beginners to professionals. Its 36 chord buttons are arranged into three rows (major, minor, and 7th) and allow you to play up to 108 chords, organised in the circle of fifths. 

Select the chord of your choice, and the 21 capacitive touch pads “strumplate” will allow you to strum notes in the selected chord across octaves, adding versatility to musical performance. 

The combination of multiple chord buttons lets you access to up to 108 chords, as you can see in the following chart :

The NapkeyChord offers three intuitive modes that let you play in a way that feels natural, whether you’re strumming or sustaining chords.

1. Strum Mode:

In Strum Mode, you get the classic strumming experience. Simply press a chord button, and the strumplate will be set to trigger all the notes of that chord across multiple octaves. Whether you’re creating rhythmic patterns or melodic runs, this mode gives you the freedom to explore beautiful, layered textures effortlessly.

2. Chord Mode:

Want more richness? Chord Mode lets you push a chord button to play a sustained chord, filling your sound with depth. But that’s not all—while the chord sustains, you can still use the strumplate to strum the same chord on top of it, allowing for dynamic performances that combine both rhythmic and harmonic elements (Using USB C MIDI, the chord buttons triggers MIDI Chords in MIDI Channel 1 and the Strumplate triggers MIDI notes in MIDI Channel 2). 

3. Chord Trigger Mode:

The Chord Trigger Mode lets you play chords with a defined length, rather than sustaining them indefinitely. The duration of each chord is controlled by the Release setting on the NapkeyChord’s built-in synthesizer, allowing you to create sharp, rhythmic progressions or longer sounds with ease.
 

Whether you’re strumming for rhythm or building complex chord progressions, these three modes open up a world of creative possibilities.

Built-In Synthesizer and Standalone Capabilities :

The NapkeyChord comes with a built-in synthesiser featuring three intuitive knobs:

• Waveform: Choose your sound’s character by selecting different wave types and morphing them (sinewave, triangle, square and sawtooth waves).
• Release: (Strum Mode only) Control how long your chord rings out.
• Volume: For the perfect balance in any setting.

It’s fully standalone, with no computer required thanks to its powerful synth engine. Plug the USB C power cable in and enjoy the NapkeyChord’s built-in sound through the 8 Ohm speaker, or via the 3.5mm audio jack output.

For extended and virtually infinite sounds, MIDI via TRS type A or USB C will let you connect your most beloved hardware synths or VSTs to expand your sonic range. Whether you’re on the go or in the studio, the NapkeyChord is ready to play!

Even though the NapkeyChord was created by a seasoned musician whose career started in 2015, it can be used by professional musicians, young composers or aspiring musicians together, whether you already have something in mind or just looking for inspiration !

The NapkeyChord offers an intuitive and easy-to-learn instrument for musicians of all levels. Whether you want to play timeless songs or experiment with new sounds, the NapkeyChord’s retro-futuristic design and advanced features give you the tools to do so. It is portable and can be used in various settings, from casual jam sessions to professional studio work.

• 36 chord buttons (108 chords combinations) + 1 mode button
• 3 synth control knobs (waveform, release, volume)
• 1 Strumplate with 21 capacitive touch pads
• 1 audio jack 3.5mm output
• 1 USB C port (for MIDI and power)
• 1 MIDI TRS type A output
• 20 voices polyphonic synthesiser
• 1 8 Ohm speaker
• Dimensions (mm): L299 x W157 x D28
• Weight: 1 kg (TBD with the final production)

The technical specifications mentioned above can slightly vary depending on the production mode chosen after the Kickstarter campaign.

For the past 3 years, we’ve been working hard on creating the NapkeyChord and its different prototypes that we have built along the way. Our discussions with professional musicians, sound engineers and hobbyists have helped us understand your needs, and build this instrument, and hopefully make it yours. 

We have already designed and tested several prototypes of the NapkeyChord, and now we’re moving into the production phase. The funds raised will go toward manufacturing, more specifically the mold for the plastic injection molded casing, packaging, and distribution. Our next steps include refining the hardware design, perfecting the software integration, and ensuring a reliable production and distribution pipeline.

The OG NapkeyChord : 

The NapkeyChord is inspired by the iconic designs of the 70s and 80s, blending retro-futuristic aesthetics with a modern twist. It reflects the sound of our band, Napkey, and our love for the culture and innovation of Japan, the birthplace of some of the greatest keyboards and instruments.

Our prototypes have been made in France. The full production of the NapkeyChord’s casing, in ABS plastic injection moulding, will most likely be made in France, with the support of this Kickstarter campaign.

The NapkeyChord – Ghost edition :

In addition to the sleek and classic NapkeyChord, we’ve crafted a special Ghost Edition exclusively for our Kickstarter backers. The transparent ABS casing brings back the nostalgia of a past era, evoking the retro vibes of iconic tech from the 80s and 90s. It’s a nod to the vintage designs we love, with a modern twist for today’s musicians.

We’re partnering with trusted manufacturers in France and China to produce the PCB and electronics for the NapkeyChord. Their expertise ensures that every component meets the highest standards of quality and reliability.

– IndieGogo price : 350€ (vs 399€ MSRP)

– Limited edition « Ghost » : 399€ (vs 499€ MSRP)

When I created my band Napkey in 2015, I used many different keyboards to create my own music in the studio, but I quickly realized that I could not bring them on stage with me: they were not ergonomic, and let’s face it, not super stylish. 

I created a big instrument from scratch and played on stage with it six years ago: that was the beginning of the NapkeyChord adventure! I still have it with me during all of our live performances, and from the beginning, it sparked the curiosity of everyone: the public, the musicians I played with, the sound engineers, … 

Everyone encouraged me to produce it on a larger scale, but I wanted to create a more accessible version, both technically and financially. The technology we had created for the first prototype was great and deserved an ergonomic version that could be used on stage and in a studio, for both professionals and amateurs. The NapkeyChord was born! 

With the same powerful technology we had been fine-tuning for already 4 years, we spent the next 3 years working on the desktop version that we are now selling on Kickstarter. Instead of the initial wood instrument that was heavy and not as practical as we wanted, we created an ABS version, with smaller dimensions adapted to the fast-paced life of musicians. 

And the next chapter of our story is being written as we speak!

Napkey : 

In 2015, Ben and Justine founded Napkey, a French electro pop duo exploring the universal and dreamy wonders of humanity and beyond. Featured on Netflix shows like Emily and Paris, and on brand collaborations with Louis Vuitton, Roland Garros, Ford and many other brands, they also created an instrument: the NapkeyChord. Along with 4 EPs and 3 albums counting over 120 million streams on Spotify alone, and new singles coming up this year, they also write scores for movies. For almost ten years now, their retro futuristic music has been played in numerous concerts in all major French and European venues. 

The NapkeyChord contributes to the dreamy and retro sound that they produce, with a heavy inspiration from Japan, where they often travel to. 

Ghost in Translation : 

The NapkeyChord has been created in collaboration with Ghost in Translation, a developer who has been working for over 10 years on the creation of modular synths in Eurorack. 

As a musician and a nerd at heart, he has been working with electronics and microcontrollers to make all sorts of things for as long as he can remember. One day, he tried building a synthesiser from scratch and it just worked. 

Back in 2018, he was inspired by Eurorack, and wanted to go DAW-less to play his music live, and since he couldn’t afford it, it was just the right excuse to make it his new hobby. He finally designed a reusable platform to help build modules and eventually a whole system with drums and synths and sequencers.

Problem it solves: The NapkeyChord simplifies music creation, offering a versatile instrument that bridges the gap between professional musicianship and beginner-friendly design. It provides a solution for people who want to explore complex musical arrangements without needing deep technical knowledge.

Who benefits: Musicians, songwriters, producers, and hobbyists. Whether you’re learning music for the first time or are a professional looking for a new creative tool, the NapkeyChord is designed to enhance your musical experience.

Budget and distribution plan: Funds raised will go toward the production of the NapkeyChord, the plastic injection molds, packaging, and global distribution. We’ve already established key partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers to ensure smooth delivery.

Risks: The main risks involve manufacturing delays or unforeseen supply chain issues, which we have mitigated by partnering with trusted manufacturers and logistics providers. From a legal standpoint, the NapkeyChord complies with all relevant consumer electronics standards and regulations.

Sketches or prototypes: We’ve completed multiple design iterations and are now refining the final prototype. These early designs and working models will be showcased in the Kickstarter campaign to give backers confidence in our progress.

Research results: Extensive research has gone into the NapkeyChord’s design to ensure it’s both innovative and practical. We’ve consulted with musicians and engineers to create an instrument that balances simplicity with functionality.

SHIPPING : At this stage, we are not aware of precise shipping estimates, as it all depends on Import taxes policies that are different for each countries. As the NapkeyChord is made in France, shipping in the European Union will be simpler and cheaper. Anywhere else (i.e. USA, Canada etc.), the shipping costs may vary depending on your country Import Taxes policies. We will let you know a more precise estimate as soon as we can.