Troy Sheets started making music at the age of 15 in his home studio using a keyboard synthesizer, drum machine, and 4-track cassette recorder. He’s a great setup for a high school sophomore. But young up-and-coming musicians rarely have access to advanced equipment (other than free apps on their phones). And most young people can't afford it. Additionally, synthesizers can be difficult to use for beginners.
That's why Sheets decided to create the $199 Blipbox, an affordable children's synthesizer designed for ages 3 and up.
“We saw an opportunity to create a simplified toy-like device that would allow more people to enjoy and use these tools, which have traditionally been reserved for professional musicians due to cost and complexity. ,” Sheets told TechCrunch.
Now, Blipbox's parent company, Playtime Engineering, is ready to release its latest product. Called MyTracks, this new “toy-like instrument” (as the company calls it) is essentially a drum machine, synthesizer, built-in microphone for audio sampling, and sequencer all in one groovebox or electronic It is a music production device. device. With chunky control knobs, levers, and easy-to-use randomization features, MyTracks aims to encourage children's musical exploration and simplify beat-making. The company announced Tuesday that a Kickstarter campaign for MyTracks will launch on April 9, with expected pricing for backers between $249 and $299, with the first round of products expected to launch in November. Estimated retail price is $349.
This product is designed to be child-friendly first and foremost. According to the company, all of his Blipbox devices are BPA-free and undergo “rigorous” testing to ensure they comply with toy safety standards. To avoid choking hazards, the plastic knob is locked to the device and cannot be removed by children. Additionally, the battery is secured within a screw-down compartment.
The company says its product is the only synthesizer on the market that is fully certified to international child safety standards.
In terms of design, flashy lights and colorful buttons are meant to attract children's attention. Sheets adds that the lever is one of his most popular features because it feels like a “spaceship control panel.”
But Blipbox wants adult musicians to take it just as seriously.
“These are real instruments, and not just something that looks like an instrument.” [toy] A guitar that plays the same note every time you press a button. It really appeals to adults as much as kids,” says co-founder Kate Sheets.
The layout of the MyTracks machine resembles a traditional groovebox or MPC (music production center) with two effects (FX) processors, five tracks, 25 pads, and over 50 acoustic, electronic, and percussion sounds. I am. Additionally, it has the ability to layer, record, and save songs.
The MyTracks device has a MIDI output on the back, so professional musicians looking to play with new fun toys can use it with other gear in the studio. It also features stereo audio output and USB-C for adding more tracks. Future updates will include more sound packs to provide new music styles such as classical, hip-hop, and EDM.
Image credit: Playtime Engineering
It's true that $300+ for a child's toy is a lot of money, and not many parents are willing to spend that much money. However, the company claims that it can be a great tool for kids to learn how to create music, manipulate sound, and experiment. Blipbox is also used by music teachers to help children with special needs express their creativity in nonverbal ways.
“[Blipbox devices] It's adjustable, so it's adjustable. [the volume] To suit various sensibilities. That's why our nervous students really enjoy using our products,” says Kate Sheets.
The company previously won the SBO (School Band & Orchestra) award for Best Educational Tool for Preschoolers.
Image credit: Playtime Engineering
“I got a lot of weird looks from parents,” says Kate Sheets, describing people's reaction to the first Blipbox synthesizer in 2018. And I thought, “We don't even know what that is.” We've been straddling both markets for a while. And now, many years later, we find that there really is a market for our type of product. ”
Despite the initial reaction, Blipbox has sold 15,000 products and raised more than $300,000 in crowdfunding.