XA1_DESIGN

I’ve always been fascinated by how the environment and the design of the objects around me heavily influence and connect to my creativity, especially in music. I always choose very carefully what kinds of instruments and objects I have in my studio. When I work on something that feels visually interesting, it’s not necessarily about chasing beauty for its own sake, it’s about how it feels, and how that feeling can shape ideas.

The design of an instrument, to me, is about creating something that invites curiosity and sparks imagination. When something feels right in your hands, or even just looks a certain way, it can completely change how you approach making music. Sometimes a shape, a layout, or a color can set the mood before you even start to play

I’m drawn to instruments and interfaces that feel intuitive and inviting, but not so clean that they lose their character. Design should have a bit of soul, something that moves you. It shouldn’t be too polite. Even if you can’t quite explain why, it just needs to have presence. When an instrument has that, it pulls you in. Even the smallest details, the shape of a knob, the glow of a light, can make you want to explore further

I’ve always admired musicians who have a recognizable sound, when you hear just a few notes and instantly know it’s them. That identity comes from their choices, the tones, textures, and imperfections that make their work feel personal. I think design can do the same thing. An instrument can have an identity, a voice of its own. It can carry a certain energy or mood, offering a glimpse into the world that inspired it.

The design of Astrax grew out of that idea. It ended up with an unusual faceplate, with two large cutouts, almost like wounds, revealing parts of the PCB beneath. Some might see that as impractical, but it felt right to me. I wanted to recreate as closely as possible the vision I had in my mind, a futuristic design with that weird look.
In the end, design, like music, is about following a feeling. Sometimes that means taking risks or breaking from what’s expected. If it makes someone stop, look, and feel something, then it’s done its job.