We've seen
the pros effortlessly tapping away classic tunes on the
Stylophone Beatbox, so naturally we had to give it a shot for our faithful readers. Essentially the Beatbox is a portable electronic musical instrument that activates when the stylus contacts the metallic pad. For us the functions were pretty straight-forward to use -- there's a sliding switch for the three sound packs, a loop tool with record and play controls, a volume dial, a loop playback speed dial and a tuning dial underneath. We dig the loop function, but sometimes the Beatbox struggled to reproduce multiple effects at any instance, which is probably why the famed
Brett Domino got help in his video. Another issue was that we had to tap fairly hard to get a response, and while you can isolate the tapping noise by plugging in your headphones, your hands would still quickly grow tired from the rapid beats. Of course, you can always cheat by putting in a sample loop via the "MP3" port, but where's the fun in that? Enjoy our amateurish electronic beatboxing after the break -- just promise you won't laugh. Deal?
posted November 23rd 2009 3:59PM
This is pretty sweet. Anyone have recommendations on what to do if I want to become a DJ?
Get DJ Hero I hear all the top DJ's are using that setup now.
@Teerim: I cannot believe I just wrote you a full guide on getting to grips with DJing and the comment system just shunned it for some reason :(
Anything shoot next to a MacBook looks better.
@Drago
it could be a MacBook Pro 13" like mine
Where'd you get that MacBook? The keyboard look different than mine...
That's because the Keyboard of that Mac is worn and greasy.
I was wondering the same... it must be an international version. I know german and russian keyboards have a few more keys. I think there is an extra near the 'L' in this case. The return key kinda sucks.
Well, the enter key is really weird. Seriously, what's up with that?
Oh and the keys are in ISO distribution (most of the EU keyboards look like this)
That is the same question I had. The enter key is very different.
Check out this Russian one... I know the characters are not the same, but you get the idea. http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/03/30/090348-macbookmini_425.jpg
Mine's a UK keyboard. (I'm from London.)
@(Unverified) Get a Beatbox and learn how to keep a tempo.
I dont get why Engadget doesn't take the liberty of just giving their gadgets a quick wipedown this would make their hands a much higher level of profesionalism.
Im probarbly going to get downranked for this, but this is just my view on these kind of things, I wouldn't work with such a dirty greasy keyboard. Maybe im too sanitary.
Sorry for the spelling mistakes. It should have said "This would give their hands on or reviews a much higher level of profesionalism.
Because proper geeks (unless they have OCD as well) just play with new stuff .... and new stuff comes along so quickly there is no time to clean the old stuff.
I know this because my P60 running OS/2 Warp is immaculate.
I hear you. Trust me, it really is wear and tear on my thirteen-month-old MacBook. I expected better durability.
Looks like a fun toy to bring on a plane ride....
Greasy keyboard
*sigh* It's wear and tear. A real let-down.
Fair enough. I expect my mbp will soon look like that as well...
This is my first ever Mac as well. I expected better quality for the money.
Get a keybaord cover. That's what I did. It sucks to type with it but it's worth it. You take it off and see your keys intact.
I just don't like using covers and cases (especially on phones) -- I think it's an insult to the designer by changing the intended product dimensions, but then again you can argue that they're insulting us for using second-class materials. I'll live.
Considering what you get for the money it's a great musical gadget, especially when a certain shop was selling another product that was basically a simple organ with a simple monophonic record function (one note at a time) for not much less money than the Stylophone Beatbox, and they had no trouble selling them either.
That's funny. Just saw one of these in Urban Outfitters the other day.
Yeah. They sell the original Stylophone too. I'm tempted to get one.
@Richard Lai: I aren't really liking the *tap* *tap* *tap* noise it makes when struck with the pen.
@ (Unverified): are you serious? I kinda want to start djing and need to find out the basics. I've googled and stuff but info is too spread out.
@Teerim You gotta start with the basics like an IDJ2 or a basic Ipod mixer. That's the best way to get your timing started, then get a dvd on how to DJ and it will show you the ropes and necessary equipment. I recommend software as well as this is where all DJ's are going. Even CD's are a thing of the past.
Kraftwerk did it better.
Is that a macbook air? otherwise.. you might reconsider putting an unsheilded speaker right on top of your macbook.. (not sure where the HD is located on this one..) I might just be old fashioned about magnetics paranoia near computers.. I'm sure it's not a huge magnet..
These things are awesome though for $25 + 8 direct from hong kong (ebay) or for less for somebody else after you play with it for 20 min and relist it..
@vdrumpro Mine's an SSD anyway. ;)
i think theres a reason why the folks at engadget didnt turn out to be musicians XD
Bring back Brett Domino please.
Brett Domino did a much better demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hELTtsBRie4
These things have sold out everywhere in Britain, it seems...
Britain seems to suffer pretty badly from internet-phenomenon based stock shortages, thanks very much Brett Domino!!
@Heliosphan Urban Outfitters on Oxford Street definitely had loads when I visited last week. I doubt these would've run out that quick.
This seems to be pretty similar to the Korg Kaossilator.. except crappier. If your tempted by this, spend the extra $100 and get something that is actually a usable musical instrument.
So, this thing is pretty neat BUT the record function is baddd. I don't mind the 4 note polyphony, but it will CHANGE THE LENGTH OF THE LOOP after it is set. I don't know if this is some kind of feature but it's nothing anyone would ever want. My guess is cheap/bad design. There are some other annoying things but I could've gotten past them. The sounds are fine, I like 'em. Recording is next to useless — fun until it breaks your loop.