Spotlights On: Oddment

Where Traverse City Meets the Future of Sound

Northern Michigan-based musicians and the chance to try Traverse City-made music equipment? Possibly the perfect match.

On June 6, from 8–10 p.m., new audio company Oddment will hold a launch party for the ODD-1 (Microsonic Lab) granular synthesizer, giving attendees the chance to try the ODD-1 for themselves at locally-loved Eugene’s Record Co-Op. Live music will put the cherry on top for the evening, featuring Trevor Reed's Thadoa and Tin Cans & Twine, a trio consisting of product creator and company co-owner John Woodruff, his son, Milo Woodruff, and NMC Audio Tech faculty member Sam Boase-Miller.

Part synthesizer, part sampler, the ODD-1 allows musicians to capture sounds and transform them into entirely new musical ideas in real time.

From Bay Area Audio Developer to Northern Michigan Startup

The earliest idea of the product was inspired by Bellaire resident Paul Evans, whom Woodruff met upon moving to the Traverse City area in 2022. His design, called “Groc” at the time, drew from Evans’ fascination with synthesizers and modern, beautifully-designed digital hardware. Following their meeting, product development began, and brainstorming around sound processing took flight.

John Woodruff of Oddment presenting in Corson Auditorium at Interlochen Center for the Arts.

“It was one of those unexpected moments in life when a path becomes clearer in front of you when you weren't expecting it. Paul's idea was so good, and I felt I had built up just the right background to be ready to start a company,” he said.

After spending more than a decade working on audio challenges such as speech separation and de-noising, the pivot felt like a natural next step. Woodruff’s approach helped push forward the development of what is now Oddment. Drawing on a longtime love of playing instruments, songwriting, and recording, as well as experience in audio technology at Apple and other Bay Area companies, plus a degree in music technology from the University of Michigan, he began to work toward incorporating granular synthesis techniques into the product. 

“I had played in some bands in my early 20s where I was playing guitar and synth, but also trying to live sample (record) myself and other band members, then manipulate the sound to add new, interesting elements. I did this with a laptop and it was very difficult working with a mouse/keyboard interface,” he described. “Almost immediately after meeting Paul and learning about his product design, I felt I could design the instrument that I would have wanted back at that time.”

Bringing the ODD-1 to Life

Throughout development, Woodruff encountered expected challenges, including assembly, manufacturing partnerships, and product testing, all of which led to a yearlong delay from the original completion goal of December 2024. In the process, he identified areas of the hardware that would require additional support, which came in the form of double bassist and Berklee College of Music faculty member Spencer Russell.

The synthesizer first became available for purchase with a discounted “beta batch” in December 2025, with only 100 sold to ensure the company could provide the best responsiveness to early customers. Interest generated through his YouTube channel and appearances at trade shows in Berlin and Chicago built excitement before the product was even available for purchase. The first batch sold out quickly.

The "beta batch" of ODD-1, ready for distribution.

“Even with our early prototype, some enthusiasts considered our product one of the most interesting and innovative at Superbooth 2024,” Woodruff recounted. 

“There's a lot of personal taste and a few different categories in the synthesizer world. For those interested in our style of synthesizer, it has gotten a very positive response. So far we see that many people are really excited about the capabilities,” he continued. “There aren't any other devices on the market that can achieve the combination of features that we have.  People also love the product design because it is bright, fun and more beautiful than most synthesizers. The portable size is also appealing to a lot of musicians that need something small to fit into their live ‘rig’.” 

Looking Ahead 

Having tested the ODD-1 in his own performances and productions over the past two years, Woodruff said he is excited by its capabilities.

“I have completed enough functionality to replace my looping pedal with the ODD-1, which will allow me to develop much more interesting and complex music than a basic looper,” he remarked. “Now we need to turn our attention to marketing, and because our self promotion and direct sales have been so successful thus far, I hope to continue performing and demonstrating what is possible.”

Following the June 6 launch party, Oddment plans to release a software version at a lower price point that will appeal to a different segment of users, followed by additional releases highlighting unique capabilities at even lower price points.

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Those interested in learning more about the product can visit Oddment's website or attend the public launch party from 8-10p on June 6 at Eugene's Record Co-Op, located beneath Coin Slot at 346 E. Front St. in Traverse City.