The AP-1 Acoustic Drum Machine doesn't play samples: it holds a thing and a drumstick, then hits the thing with the drumstick. It may be programmed or controlled via MIDI, and has a touchscreen and dial for adjusting presets, which include use as a metronome. Here's video of it (several of them, even) in action.
It's by Jordan Wolfe, who is Kickstarting a run at $219 a unit with an October 2026 delivery estimate. With extra clamps, it's $239—not a bad upsell for anyone wanting more cowbell.
What if you could jam with a percussion section whenever you want? What if you could have more fun practicing and making music? For the musician who wants to practice but is tired of the traditional metronome or using an app. Play along with a real cowbell, woodblock, tambourine, cymbal, snare drum, or any percussion instrument you can get your hands on.
Come make music and play all sorts of fun percussion instruments using robots! The Lupine Instruments AP-1 is an acoustic drum machine usable as an instrument or metronome. It can play nearly any percussion instrument using any mallet or drumstick. The AP-1 is the first acoustic drum machine/metronome to feature dynamics and accurate velocity response. It can be controlled via any MIDI controller or interface. The device will also playback MIDI files and function as a standalone metronome/drum machine for practice or performance.
