ARTinoise, a startup that prides itself on envisioning and crafting electronic musical instruments by digitizing traditional musical instruments, has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Zefiro. ARTinoise defines Zefiro as designed to make wind instrument playing accessible, portable, and dynamic. They believe music-making should be accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level or background, so Zefiro aims to empower everyone to experience the thrill of creating music.

Zefiro features a simple USB-C connection, which can be connected to a smartphone or tablet and turned into a fully interactive musical instrument. This is accomplished by a combination of smart sensors, an intuitive app, and virtual instruments' creativity. Zefiro is a plug-and-play device, so connecting it to your smartphone or tablet will cause it to be recognized, and instrument controls such as keys or wind holes will be displayed on the screen. The mouthpiece's lip and air pressure sensors can capture breath power, influencing things like the sound volume, pitch, and harmonics, giving Zefiro an authentic musical feel. Using the Zefiro app, users can access a vast library of virtual instruments, choose backing tracks, and customize the finger placements to better suit their playing styles. Zefiro also allows users to record and share their performances with others. 

ARTinoise has highlighted Zefiro's main benefits: that it is easy to use, portable, lightweight, offers real-time response, and features customizable controls. This means users don't have to carry around large instruments with them, as Zefiro is small enough to fit in their pocket. The target audience is beginners looking for a fun way to get into music, music students searching for a portable practice tool, and even experienced musicians who want something small and versatile enough to enable quick compositions or spontaneous performances. Since Zerfiro is compatible with the MIDI standards, it can be used with other MIDI-compatible software and DAWs to control virtual instruments, trigger samples, and much more. 

Zefiro was an instant success on Kickstarter and quickly blew past its goal of $5,309. Backers can choose between a 48% super early bird discount on the Zefiro or a 44% discount on the Zefiro Pro. Both versions are only available in limited quantities, but pledges are also available for discounted bundles of each version. What differentiates the Pro model from the standard version is the inclusion of the 3D MEMS Accelerometer. This enhances the instrument's sensitivity to movement, providing users with additional depth and versatility as well as an extra layer of expression and control. Along with the exclusive early bird pricing available on Kickstarter, backers can customize their musical experience by selecting from several add-ons. These include a USB-C cable, lightning to USB-C dongle, absorbent elastic kit, lace pack, and headset holder. 

ARTinoise estimates that shipping for their smart wind instrument will begin as early as February 2025. For more information, to pledge, or to check out the full specifications, visit the Zefiro Kickstarter page. The ARTinoise YouTube channel also features videos showcasing what Zefiro can do.