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Pianocade main image

Photo of Pianocade and more gear in a synths

Pianocade

Pianocade

3 Critic Reviews

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Find out who is using Pianocade

Grimecraft

1 community setup

0 wishlisted

1 saved

Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Videos

Joe Brown

Pianocade - Arduino MIDI Chiptune Instrument

Video thumbnail for Pianocade - Arduino MIDI Chiptune Instrument by Joe Brown

Pianocade - Arduino MIDI Chiptune Instrument

Joe Brown

Video thumbnail for JOHN PARK'S WORKSHOP LIVE 1/6/22 Pianocade DIY Chiptune Synth @adafruit @johnedgarpark #adafruit by Adafruit Industries

JOHN PARK'S WORKSHOP LIVE 1/6/22 Pianocade DIY Chiptune Synth @adafruit @johnedgarpark #adafruit

Adafruit Industries

Adafruit Industries

Reviews

Critic Reviews

The Pianocade Is An Open Source Chiptunes Synthesizer Arcade Keytar Thing! – Synthtopia

synthtopia.com

The Pianocade is a quirky blend of synthesizer and arcade nostalgia, appealing to chiptune enthusiasts with its authentic vintage sound. It offers versatile MIDI capabilities and customizable controls, but its monophonic nature and lack of intuitive sound tweaking options may limit its appeal for some musicians. The design is charmingly nerdy, though potentially more attractive to gamers than traditional musicians. The absence of a GUI for editing and some user-experience quirks, like limited MIDI channel selection, might deter potential buyers. Still, for those captivated by its unique aesthetic and sound, the Pianocade offers a fun, if niche, musical experience.

neutral

Pianocade: Arcade Button Synthesizer - DJ TechTools

djtechtools.com

The Pianocade synthesizer charms with its retro arcade-style buttons and joystick, blending a playful aesthetic with functionality as both a synth and MIDI controller. It’s a quirky piece of gear from Toronto's Portmanteau Devices, appealing for its unique design and DIY kit option. However, the lack of pre-programmed supercombos might leave users wanting more from this novelty item. Overall, the review appreciates the concept but hints at some missed potential for gaming enthusiasts.

neutral

The Pianocade synthesizer should appeal to 8-bit gamers

newatlas.com

The Pianocade synthesizer is a nostalgic nod to 8-bit gaming enthusiasts, with its arcade-style buttons and retro sound reminiscent of classic gaming consoles like the NES and Gameboy. While it offers unique features such as open-source customization and MIDI connectivity, its monophonic sound limits musical complexity, making it more suited for niche audiences rather than mainstream musicians. If you're not a fan of retro gaming soundtracks, the allure may be lost on you.

neutral

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

See how Grimecraft uses Pianocade

Grimecraft

Music Producer, DJ

Verified via YouTube

You can see the Pianocade clearly behind him in this video.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Progressive Rock

Alternative Pop

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Pianocade, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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rflob

Gear IQ 128

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