# Acupuncture-Inspired Music Machines This Pin Instrument Uses Needles to Create Sounds By Michael Baxter | Published 2014-02-20 | Updated 2014-02-24 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pin-instrument References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2014/02/visual-music-pin-instrument.html) & [a-plusplus](http://a-plusplus.com/?p=157) This one-of-a-kind pin instrument is strange because it requires very little in the way of human involvement and the [electronic aspect](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/harmoni) is quite unique. The instrument, known as Theometrica, was created by artists Oscar Palou and Alexander Müller-Rakow and its job is to [create sound](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sound-maestro) from physics. The pin instrument looks like a pseudo-record player but operates in a very different way. The disk is filled with pins set in different locations and depths throughout and when the disk spins, lasers at the side pick up the distance of the pins. The spacing is what creates the varying sounds on the disk, so any slight movement of even one pin creates a completely different song. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 7% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Pin Instrument Music Machines:** A new trend in music machines that use physical pins to create unique soundscapes. - **Needle-based Innovation:** A trend towards innovation in the realm of needle-based acoustic technology. - **Minimalist Instrument Design:** A trend towards creating musical instruments that require very little human interaction to produce sound. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Music Production:** Disruptive innovation opportunities exist for music producers who can employ needle-based instruments in unique and creative ways to add to their repertoire. - **Acupuncture:** Theometrica's design was inspired by acupuncture, suggesting disruptive innovation opportunities in the use of needles for other applications outside of traditional medicine. - **Electronic Engineering:** Theometrica's unique electronic aspects could lead to innovative approaches to electronic engineering in other industries beyond music. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tape Deck Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magnetic-folklore.md) - [Hybrid Music Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phase8.md) - [Ultra-Modern MIDI Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/midi-device.md) - [Ancient Chinese Poetry Vinyls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/musipple.md) - [Water Movement Sculptural Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inner-waves.md) - [AI-Powered Music Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-music-synthesizer.md) - [Plant-Powered MIDI Sound Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-hultn-tegel.md) - [Mindful Meditative Soundscape Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sonic-heirloom.md) - [Visceral Record Turntables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orbit-kinetic.md)