Plinky is an 8-voice polyphonic touch synthesizer designed by Alex Evans (known online as mmalex), described by its creator as an instrument specializing in fragile, melancholic sounds. The hardware can be used either as a 24HP Eurorack module or as a standalone USB-powered desktop mini-synth, with CV and MIDI connectivity, line-level stereo input, and a headphone output. Its eight vertical capacitive touch strips behave like strings tied to touch-sensitive low-pass gates, so harder presses unlock more timbral content, and the project is fully open source with hardware files and firmware published on GitHub.

The original Plinky was released in 2021 before chip shortages interrupted production. German company Making Sound Machines later partnered with Evans to bring back an updated Plinky v3 kit, which is distributed through Thonk in the UK, Exploding Shed in the EU, Perfect Circuit in the US, and Nightlife Electronics in Canada. The lineup has expanded to include Plinky+, a larger deluxe version with a metal enclosure, doubled play surface, larger display, and balanced 6.35mm outputs, along with a 2HP Plinky Expander module that adds CV outputs and MIDI/USB connectivity.

A companion line of 1U Eurorack modules called Plinky Buddies extends the ecosystem with Bib (stereo reverb, delay, and drive), Buzzrito (a swarm oscillator), and Blueberry (a generative touch sequencer). The instrument has built a following in the DIY and small-format synth community for its expressive playing surface and distinctive ambient voice.

Plinky Synth has 1 product cataloged on Equipboard, including Synthesizers.