Franz K's iTar transforms your iPad into a keytar, puts shame in your game (video)
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted June 10th 2010 11:57AM
posted June 10th 2010 11:57AM
You can say that we're a sucker for a ridiculous video -- such as the one recently provided for us by a certain VJ named Franz K. The unholy spawn of Jerry Only and that ShamWow! guy, his latest creation is called the Mantaray iTar. Essentially it's an iPad dock with a shoulder strap, but wait -- there's more! You can also mount effects processors (such as the Korg Kaoss pad), essentially transforming your tablet into a kludgey keytar. As our man says, "gadget music is the new punk rock!" But seriously, Franz -- do you expect us to pay $225 for the privilege of performing with iElectribe? Either way, this video must be seen to be believed. Peep for yourself after the break.
Someone needs to make an iPad musical interface.
Problem is people keep trying to emulate real life musical instruments.
This is really lame. The dude needs to lose the fake deep voice.
I'm an electronic music producer, and this disgraceful. face/palm
.
@Vdek
"I guess you can say that we're a sucker for a ridiculous video..."
No one said it yet, but I guess I'll say it...
"Yes you are a sucker for ridiculous videos. Especially when it involves anything 'i'. " :)
I'd hate to live next door to this dude. Can you imaging trying to get to sleep with that "iTar(d)" next door?
@Bakerdk
Awesome. I'm a rapper. Will you collaborate with me? I reckon we could make some excellent music together. I've written a really great rap. It starts like this:
Yeah! Yeah!
Uh-huh! Yeah!
Check it out!
It gets better, but I don't really have time to type it all here (some of the rapping bits are really fast so they take ages to type). Trust me though, this one is *really* good, especially towards the end. Also my voice is genuinely deep. Don't you just hate it when lame dudes fake a deep voice? I do. I really do. So, anyway, what do you say? With your Electronic Music and my rapping the sky's the limit!
@Bakerdk I actually know him. His voice is real. Personally I don't see anything wrong with wanting something that holds your iPad and Kaoss pads so you can play while you stand if you have the money to blow, but then I again I'd never use an iPad to make music.
@Vdek
Yeah, but with real life instruments you have to know how to, I dunno, play them? Still, nothing wrong with having fun making noise.
I've just realised who this is. It's Jones from Nathan Barley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnBuuGQxwcM
The resemblance is uncanny.
Another dumb "reason" to buy an iPad. Just proves how unneeded they really are.
@Snarf101
Hey, did you know there are dumb apps available for your PC? Quick you should throw it out the window because it's unneeded now.
@Vdek
True, but I have seen actual use cases where the pc/laptop is needed. the iPad otoh
@Snarf101 I don't think anybody really thinks this is a reason to buy an iPad.
@Snarf101
Nobody said that the world needs the iPad. Not even Steve.
But the world would be pretty boring if we only lived on essentials, wouldn't it?
@SeeKo
agree~ world need some refreshment..
either a good one or a bad one =)
@SeeKo Well calling it a "revolution" repeatedly kinda implies it's more than just a toy.
@Snarf101 Are you people seriously still making this stupid tired point?
This is like the 10048925th iteration. We get it... you don't think it's any use. How many times do you have to post it?
Things that make you go "buhhh"
It's sad people won't see the humour in this and turn it into a flame war.
@Tes It's not humorous. People bought these things in spades due to unprecedented amounts of hype, and now they realized they actually have anything to do with them - so they implant them in cars and kitchen doors, turn them into portable SNES emulators and make them into ultra-pretentious guitars.
You say humorous? I say pathetic.
@Pickaxe And this is different from how the PC developed how?
If you think it's so pathetic, I invite you to chuck your PC out the window because it's development followed the same logic.
@Pickaxe
Dude...too much emotion for what is shown in this video. The man is clearly having fun. If he can afford an iPad for frivelous reasons why begrudge him? If he can't afford it, Apple products don't really depreciate than much in value so he'll get a good price for it. Win win.
I have no need or desire for one, but I can't say I don't see the appeal.
@Tes Once you put yourself out there for the public doing something like that, you open yourself to the world's criticism and deserve whatever you get. For example, "What a maroooon!"
See, look what can happen?
That's a Korg Kaossilator AND a Korg Kaoss Touchpad! Those together cost more than an iPad! (Unless that's a big one that costs more than $600 or so...)
Glad someone found a use for an iPad.......
Now THIS....is what Guitar Hero should have put in as the new peripheral.
/sarcasm
@Joseph9307
Shit, I meant Rock Band 3.
:/
just wow...............................
wtf is up with his hair...
@unseen - Thank you! I was wondering why no one else was commenting on that...
horrid music :S
@Trevsweb
music?! Na m8 it's called a noise :-P
I was feeling pretty depressed about my life. I was reflecting about all of my pet projects that I never finished. All those ideas that I said "wouldn't it be cool if I made 'x'?"
Then I watched that video.
Thanks for cheering me up, and showing me that I didn't make as many bad decisions as I thought I did!
"Now this is a really FRESH idea" ...... ...... ......
Nice hair, lolz.
Instead of designing this crap, he needs to design a better haircut.
This is amazing.
Emo style + goatee =
http://mdh1954.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/ed_grimley.jpg
Just sayin'
Love the hairdo there Squiggy.
*blank stare*
*Busts out laughing*
"iTar...d", apt name for whoever uses this thing.
iPad really brings out the queer in everybody, this changes everything.
@cc3d Ok, so you're 12 years old. Thanks for letting us know.
"Notice the expresivity of this instrument." Ha-HAWesome. Franz K stayed up all night building it and he wants to bring his creation to the world. Lovin' it!
Worst promo video EVER.
LOAD of rubbish, if you want to play a cool instrument then go buy Eigenharp
http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/08/eigenharp-alpha-unboxed-by-one-lucky-musician-video/
This is the best youtube video ever.
Wow is this what most of you Engadget followers look like? Kinda looks like Joshua.
My god! This is the greatest piece of performance art/salesmanship/stand up comedy in the history of the interwebs.
@channelgrubb In case you haven't noticed, you're on here too.
"The must buy gadget of 2010"
I like it but it's quite scary to think about listening to that music for too long- and myself not having my heart make those sounds as well- followed by a stopping sound.