MakerBot brings back the 'Mixtape' as a printable MP3 player (video)
If you thought mixtapes died with the MP3 era, you're wrong. Sure, they've become niche, and it's perhaps cloyingly retro to break out your Walkman, but it's hard to deny the appeal. There are already USB drives and DAPs made to look like an old-school magnetic cassette, but if you want something a little more DIY, MakerBot has a kit that you purchase and assemble your own MP3-playing "tape." For $25 you get a package with all the essential internals plus plans for your Replicator to print out the snap together casing. If you're not lucky enough to have a Replicator of your own, you can upload tracks and have the company print one out for you for $40. Hit up the source link to order one now but, before you go, check out the PR and the video after the break.
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The MakerBot Mixtape: Rediscover A Lost Classic
Brooklyn, NY July 25, 2012 - The mad scientists at MakerBot are delighted to announce the launch of their latest product, The MakerBot Mixtape. Rediscover the magic of making a mixtape - with or without a MakerBot 3D creation machine. Make your Mixtape today.
Sharing the music you love (with the people you love) has never been easier, but how do you make it memorable? Show them you really care with a customized DIY Mixtape hot off your MakerBot Replicator. Purchase the MakerBot Mixtape Kit for just $25! No 3D Printer? No problem. We made a ready-to-go Mixtape just for you - simply upload your favorite songs!
"Before CDs and digital music, offering someone a mixtape was a way to show them that you cared enough to hand-craft a gift. Our Mixtape revitalizes that idea," said John Dimatos, head of MakerBot Applications.
The MakerBot Mixtape kicks off a new series of MakerBot Projects designed by the MakerBot Applications team in Brooklyn, NY. This 3D design team explores the limitless possibilities of home manufacturing by developing MakerBot Projects - DIY Kits consisting of design files fit for 3D printing plus electronic components available for purchase in the MakerBot store.
To make The MakerBot Mixtape, just download the cassette from Thingiverse.com, pick your colors, and fire up your MakerBot. Open your Kit and snap the memory chip and control buttons into the cassette. Now you're ready to upload your mix! Just plug in to your Mac or PC with the USB cable included. Finally, give that one-of-a-kind gift to someone you love. You might want to bring a camera, too.
Don't have The Replicator™ yet? Let MakerBot show you what you're missing. Hop onto the MakerBot Facebook Page and upload a photo of yourself holding a sign that says 'Make Me A Mixtape!' From now through August 8th, MakerBot will select one winner each day to receive a personalized Mixtape created by a member of the MakerBot Staff. Win your Mixtape today!
Technical Specifications
2 GB Memory
plays MP3 files
internal lithium -i on battery
4 hour battery life
3 buttons/5 functions (play/pause, skip forward, skip backward, equalizer, reset)
1/8 inch headphone jack interface
single cable - USB to quarter inch
shows up as an external drive when connected (like thumb drive)
charges battery when connected
drag and drop music files
can also be used to store and transfer any files from computer to computer
The MakerBot Mixtape Kit Includes:
• Electronic board
• USB Cable
• Instructions
About MakerBot
Winner of the Popular Science 'Product of The Future' award and the Consumer Electronics Show 'Best Emerging Tech' award for 2012, The Replicator™ is an affordable, open source 3D printer by MakerBot. Like previous generations of MakerBots, The Replicator™ is a personal factory compact enough to fit on your desktop. Assembled and tested in Brooklyn by skilled technicians, The Replicator™ is ready within minutes to start printing right out of the box. It builds physical objects layer-by-layer using design files that users create or simply download for free from Thingiverse.com, MakerBot's community design library. With over 20,000 members, Thingiverse has become the leading destination on the Web for posting digital design files, documenting designs, and collaborating on open source hardware.
New MakerBot operators join a family of innovators from around the world who love to share their passion and expertise in 3D printing with one another. With remarkable advances since the company's groundbreaking start in 2009, MakerBot Industries continues to demonstrate its dedication to putting the tools of creativity into the hands of everyone.
