Engram AI sampler turns model hallucinations into music

Music startup Thoughtful Things has officially launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for its first hardware instrument, Engram. The device is a standalone sampler and groovebox that uses artificial intelligence to transform incoming audio signals and generate entirely new, unusual sounds.

Engram is not a typical device where a single button press generates a radio-ready hit. The instrument does not mirror the approach of Suno or similar cloud services. Instead, its primary goal is to generate experimental, unconventional sounds and push AI audio models to their absolute limits.

Local AI and complete autonomy

One of Engram's most intriguing features is that the device is completely disconnected from the internet. Rather than relying on cloud-based AI services, it runs a local, compact artificial intelligence model—"tiny AI"—directly on its internal hardware.

According to the Kickstarter description, this AI model was developed and trained in-house specifically for the device. This local architecture allows musicians to work without relying on an internet connection or dealing with network latency.

AI hallucinations as a creative tool

The concept behind the device relies on turning AI processing errors, or hallucinations, into musical elements. Engram distorts and breaks down incoming audio to forge entirely new sonic textures.

This synthesis of technology and musical hardware demonstrates how artificial intelligence can be used not to replace musicians, but to offer them new creative possibilities and experimental soundscapes.