Ever wondered what happens when you cross a synth with a box of crayons and a playground? David Hilowitz Music dives headfirst into the world of the Dato Duo and Drum—two instruments designed to turn ankle-biters into future dancefloor legends. With his trademark curiosity and knack for making the weird seem wonderful, David explores how these colourful gadgets make music-making as easy as a sausage sizzle. Whether you’re a parent, a synth tragic, or just keen to see what happens when you hand a sequencer to a kid, this video is a wild ride through playful design and hands-on discovery. Grab your sunnies, because these synths are as bright as a Melbourne summer!
8. March 2026
TAS
David Hilowitz Music Unleashes the Dato Duo & Drum: Synths for the Next Generation of Rave Kids
Tiny Hands, Big Sounds: The Dato Duo & Drum Arrive
David Hilowitz Music kicks things off with a family jaunt to Utrecht, but forget the windmills—he’s here for Dato, the synth company making waves with gear for kids. Right from the get-go, the Dato Duo and the fresh-off-the-press Dato Drum are plonked on the table, ready for curious fingers. These aren’t your average grey boxes—they’re designed to lure in the little ones and get them making noise faster than you can say “school holiday meltdown.”
The philosophy is simple: make synths that are as inviting as a fairy bread platter at a birthday party. David’s son wastes no time, diving into the Duo and poking every button in sight. It’s clear these instruments are built for discovery, not dusty manuals. If you’ve ever wanted to see a kid light up like a Bunnings sausage sizzle, this is your jam.
No Theory, No Worries: Accessibility for All
Dato’s design mantra is all about accessibility—no music theory, no problem. The instruments are crafted so anyone, even if they think a pentatonic scale is a new type of skateboard trick, can jump in and start making tunes. David highlights how every design choice circles back to this ethos: can you just figure it out by mucking around?
It’s a breath of fresh air for those of us who remember being scared off by synths covered in hieroglyphics. With the Dato Duo and Drum, you don’t need to know your LFO from your elbow. Just twist, press, and see what happens. It’s music-making stripped of intimidation, and honestly, it’s a bit of a revelation.
"It's really about accessibility and being able to play with it without knowledge about music or any preconception about electronic machines."
© Screenshot/Quote: Davidhilowitzmusic (YouTube)
Double Trouble: The Duo’s Two-Sided Mayhem
"The instrument has two sides, a unique design that allows it to be used by either one or two people."
© Screenshot/Quote: Davidhilowitzmusic (YouTube)
The Dato Duo isn’t just a synth—it’s a two-player game disguised as a musical instrument. David shows off its split design: one side for sequencing melodies, the other for mangling sounds. The sequencer’s locked to a minor pentatonic scale, so every note is a winner—no risk of a sonic faceplant here.
The second side is where the real chaos kicks in. Waveforms, filters, detune, and a smorgasbord of performance FX let you go from polite playground to full-blown outback thunderstorm in seconds. Whether you’re flying solo or jamming with a mate, the Duo’s layout makes collaboration a breeze. It’s like a musical tug-of-war, but everyone wins.
Round Beats and Cheeky Tricks: The Dato Drum
Unboxing the Dato Drum is like cracking open a Kinder Surprise—colourful, fun, and full of unexpected bits. David walks us through its circular pattern layout, a far cry from the grid-based beatboxes we’re used to. Four channels, concentric rings, and swappable samples mean you can whip up everything from polite polka to full-on Gabber chaos.
The Drum’s performance FX—filters, repeaters, bit crushers, and randomisers—are the icing on the cake. You can even sync it with the Duo for a proper dancefloor workout. There’s a handy cheat sheet for classic beats, but honestly, the real fun is in going rogue and seeing what wild rhythms you can conjure. If you want to see the Drum in action, the video’s full of toe-tapping jams that words just can’t do justice.
"The patterns on the drum are laid out in circular fashion."
© Screenshot/Quote: Davidhilowitzmusic (YouTube)
Playful Design: Synths That Beg to Be Bashed
Both the Duo and Drum are a riot of colour and friendly icons, ditching intimidating diagrams for playful hints. David chats with the Dato crew about their iterative design process—starting with cardboard and wood, then moving to recycled plastic shells that could survive a drop at a bush doof.
It’s not just about looks, though. These instruments channel the spirit of early dance music—accessible, hands-on, and built for happy accidents. Whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart, the Duo and Drum invite you to jump in, mess about, and discover your own sound. For the full sensory overload, you’ll want to watch the video and see these beauties in action—trust me, the colours and jams are wilder than a magpie on bin day.
This article is also available in German. Read it here: https://synthmagazin.at/david-hilowitz-music-entfesselt-den-dato-duo-drum-synths-fuer-die-naechste-raver-generation/
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