LOVE HULTÉN (FÖDD 1984). "CHD–4", drum machine with congenital heart disease, 1/1, created with teenage engineering on behalf of the Swedish Heartchild Foundation (Hjärtebarnsfonden).

Over 1.3 million babies are born each year with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), making it the most common birth defect in the world. Despite that, the issue has low general awareness. To increase knowledge and engagement, Swedish tech company teenage engineering and designer Love Hultén developed the CHD–4 – a drum machine created using the electrocardiograms of Liv, Vincent, Janiyah and Wega, four children with different heart defects.

The instrument functions as a modular synthesizer where each ECG has been decoded into a sequencer, enabling the user to play and create with the heartbeats of each child. The patterns can be played together or individually in order to create sounds that exemplify “each child’s heartbeat”.

Starting Valentines Day 2023, the instrument is now on auction. All proceeds will go to Hjärtebarnsfonden (The Swedish Heartchild Foundation) who contributes funds to research and supports affected children and their families.

For more information please visit: heartbeatdrummachine.com.