Behind the Scenes
The Build Journey
Building a custom hardware instrument from scratch requires precision, capital, and time. Follow our journey from the initial factory partnership to the final assembly line.
Project Kickoff & Factory Partnership
The DreamPlay project officially begins. Finding a manufacturer willing to take on a highly customized, low-volume (under 200 units) first batch was our biggest hurdle. Founder Lionel Yu traveled to Shenzhen to meet the engineering team at Ebulent Technologies. As a specialized ‘custom order’ facility, they had the exact precision capabilities we needed and believed in our mission.
Image 1 of 3: The Ebulent Technologies manufacturing facility in Shenzhen, equipped for high-precision micro-engineering.
Click to enlarge
Early Planning & Proof-of-Concept
Engineering the core architecture from the ground up. Because the physical pivot points and mechanical leverage of 15/16th-size keys differ entirely from standard keyboards, we couldn’t rely on off-the-shelf software or firmware. Our team mapped entirely new velocity curves and logic diagrams, culminating in the first wired breadboard prototype to validate the custom sensor logic.
Image 1 of 2: Whiteboard calculations mapping the custom velocity curves and sound engine logic.
Click to enlarge
PCBA & Electronics Integration
Advancing to Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). Our engineering team finalized the primary logic boards, integrating the Bluetooth MIDI modules and the LED guide-light array onto the motherboard using precision Surface-Mount Technology (SMT). Strict Incoming Quality Control (IQC) protocols were established for all electronic components entering the production line.
Image 1 of 2: The Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) line where our motherboards are populated with precision components.
Click to enlarge
Steel Tooling & Injection Molding
The most capital-intensive phase of hardware development. We commissioned the heavy custom steel molds required to cast our proprietary narrow keys. Each mold is precision-machined to tolerances of hundredths of a millimeter. High-pressure injection molding machinery was sourced and calibrated to ensure every key meets the strict dimensional requirements of the international DS Standard.
Image 1 of 2: The custom heavy steel mold engineered specifically for our proprietary 15/16th-size keys.
Click to enlarge
Chassis Design & Prototype Assembly
Small-batch prototype manufacturing begins. The custom wood-insert keys are joined with our graded hammer-action mechanism and mounted into the structural chassis. Each assembled unit immediately enters rigorous lifecycle stress testing, simulating years of intensive use to guarantee long-term durability and an authentic acoustic playing feel.
Image 1 of 5: The primary chassis structure fresh off the line, engineered to DS dimensional standards.
Click to enlarge
First Full Prototype Build
The first complete prototype enters the build at our factory. The keys are the real, final DS6.0 size — what we have deliberately built larger is everything inside. By scaling up the internals (circuit boards, sensor array and electronics) for this first unit, our engineers get the room they need to prove out every core system, including the key action, before condensing it all into the slim final enclosure. A working prototype is expected by the end of July, with playable video to follow in August.
Image 1 of 4: The first prototype keybed on the bench this month.
Click to enlarge
Present Day
The Final Validation Phase.
Right now, our factory is building the first full prototype — a validation unit that proves out the key action, sensors and electronics before final tooling. We expect a working prototype by the end of July, with playable video to follow in August, a final funding campaign in September, and official manufacturing beginning in November 2026.
Based on this timeline, we estimate our earliest backers will receive their keyboards in January 2027. Reserve your spot today to be among the first to experience this groundbreaking instrument.
Secure My Allocation