As part of his composition, Kobi, which will be premiered at Milano Musica in May 2022 by Les Percussions de Strasbourg, Professor Carmine Cella is working to complete the first model of an augmented Mbira. Carmine has partnered with Ozias Macoo, an instrument builder from Mozambique who has built a special Mbira for the project.

The project will focus on the design of a touch detection system used on the metal keys as well as analysis and synthesis of the audio signals coming from the Mbira.

Professor Cella is being assisted by Alessandro Frullani, a research engineer in residence at CNMAT. Alessandro brings his expertise in mechanical engineering and acoustics to the project.