Elektron has told users of Elektronauts, the forum it runs, that it will remove posts that share or point to modified firmware for its machines. The company set the policy out in a post on the forum on 16 September.

“Elektronauts isn’t the place to be sharing hacks, or facilitating or promoting the modification of firmware,” the post says. “That includes sharing, requesting, or directing people to the files, tools, repositories, or instructions needed to do so.” It covers currently supported instruments, older Elektron machines and gear from other manufacturers, and applies to Elektron’s social media channels as well as the forum.

Talking about firmware modification is still allowed. “General discussion around the topic is one thing, and not something we seek to inhibit,” Elektron says, drawing the line at distributing actionable material or actively encouraging people to install modifications.

The company gives several reasons. Modified firmware can brick a machine, prevent future updates and affect warranty cover, and in some cases raises concerns about Elektron’s intellectual property. It also says a change made in one place can cause problems elsewhere, “particularly when a later official OS arrives”. The post ends: “Curiosity is understandable. Bricked boxes - less so.”

The policy follows a run of custom firmware projects for Elektron hardware, among them the Monomachine and the Octatrack MkII. MusicRadar ties the surge to the growing use of AI-assisted coding, and Elektron told CDM that many of the recent modifications appeared to be AI-assisted. CDM also reports that projects Elektron has authorised itself, such as the Machinedrum X firmware and Justin Mammarella’s MCL for legacy machines, are unaffected.

Via Elektron’s post on Elektronauts, with further coverage at CDM and MusicRadar.