In autumn 2026 something happened that hadn't happened before: within a few weeks, several makers released the code of their devices. M-VAVE with the FM-1, Erica Synths with the LXR-02, Behringer with its own GitHub space, Polyend with the entire Tracker family. AKAI confirmed open firmware for the MPC Sample.

Why this directory?

The news came fast but scattered. Which devices are really open? Under which license? Where is the code? And what's only announced? That's exactly what gearald answers: one entry per device, with repo, license and an honest status.

We only list what the maker releases itself. Community hacks and plugin-only SDKs have been around for years – this is about what's new.

Why now?

A few years ago, open code alone would only have interested developers. AI changes that: if you have an idea for your gear, you can describe it to an AI and get code back. It's called vibe coding, and for the first time it makes open firmware interesting for musicians, not just programmers.

The site itself is vibe-coded

gearald was made exactly that way. Design, copy, data model and generator were developed in conversation with Claude: describe the idea, look at the result, adjust. From the first draft to the running site took a few days.

A few decisions made along the way:

  • No dependencies: hand-written HTML, CSS and JavaScript, no framework, no external fonts.
  • Content as files: every device is a JSON file, versioned in Git. Every change is traceable.
  • Static and fast: a small generator builds every page in German and English.
  • Calm like a device: the design is inspired by Dieter Rams and classic Braun hardware.

The AI didn't decide everything on its own, though. The idea for the project and the UX and UI work are human-made: how you move through the site, what you find where, how it looks and feels. What gets listed, how the site sounds and what's left out are editorial decisions too. The AI builds it, fast and without getting tired.

Your turn

If a device is missing or an entry is wrong, let us know. And if you build something with your gear: that's exactly what this is for.