Roland Future Design Lab and Tokyo-based AI music tech company Neutone are back with Project LYDIA Phase 2, the latest version of their AI-powered neural sampling pedal. After first showing the concept in late 2025, the team has now refined the hardware into something that feels much closer to a real-world performance tool instead of just an experiment.
The new version officially debuts at Superbooth Berlin this week, and the focus is clearly on workflow and usability. One of the biggest upgrades is fully integrated audio I/O, meaning you no longer need an external USB audio interface to get up and running. There’s also a built-in LCD screen for navigating parameters, onboard preset storage, and expanded MIDI connectivity for tighter integration with live and studio setups.
Hardware-wise, the unit has also been redesigned to make Raspberry Pi 5 installation easier while supporting standalone USB MIDI controller operation. In short: less tinkering, more playing.
What makes Project LYDIA interesting is its approach to AI in music. Instead of replacing musicians with generative gimmicks, the pedal is designed around hands-on interaction and performance control. The familiar stompbox format keeps things tactile and immediate, which honestly makes way more sense than burying neural processing inside another plugin window.
According to Roland Future Design Lab, most of the updates came directly from feedback gathered during demos, showcases, and surveys after the first prototype launched. That community-driven approach is probably why this second phase already feels more focused.
Project LYDIA Phase 2 will appear at Superbooth from May 7–9, followed by the Audio Developers Conference Tokyo in June and more events later this year.