Back when I was a kid (puts on old man glasses) we had the Casio SK-1. We’d spend all day making samples of burps and turning them into stupid little songs, but that’s about as far as it went. You couldn’t layer tracks or anything. Modern children, however, are about to get an actual full-featured groovebox, thanks to Playtime Engineering.
The Blipblox myTRACKS is a complete music production studio, according to Playtime. It features a built-in microphone for sampling (just like the Casio SK-1) but also 50 instrument sounds and 25 pads to play them on. These sounds can be arranged into five tracks, resembling many grooveboxes intended for adults, and there are two FX processors and a range of effects. Sure, it looks like a toy and probably feels like a toy, but it’s not really a toy. To that end, the announcement video shows an adult going to town on the thing once the kids are asleep.
You can transform sounds and add effects via two bright purple levers on the side, which work just like typical mod wheels. You’ll be able to buy sound packs online and upload them via USB-C. There's even a MIDI port. It's a groovebox, though not as high-tech as something like the Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field, or the Roland MC-707.
Downloading sound packs and modulating effects may be a bit too complicated for the younger kids in your life, but the myTRACKS also includes hundreds of built-in melodies and drum loops to play around with and have fun. There’s also a randomization feature that the company says “instantly creates new songs for unlimited fun and inspiration.” These songs are likely to annoy you as you go about household chores, but it's better than a child staring at a tablet all day, right?
Now the bad news. The kid-centric groovebox is just a Kickstarter project, for now, with shipments eventually going out in November. However, this isn’t Playtime Engineering’s first rodeo with this type of gadget. The company has released numerous child-friendly synthesizers and music-making devices in its Blipblox line. There’s the original Blipblox synth and the more recent Blipblox After Dark. We praised both of these instruments for being appropriate for children, but still enjoyable for adults. The myTRACKS Kickstarter goes live on April 9 and pricing will range from $250 to $300 for backers.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-blipblox-mytracks-groovebox-is-a-complete-music-production-studio-for-kids-130046515.html?src=rss
Marlon Douglas
This looks like such a fun and creative tool for kids! I can already imagine the silly and catchy tunes they’ll come up with. Do you think this could potentially spark an interest in music production for some of the younger gamers in our communities? It could be a cool way to introduce them to a whole new world of creativity!
WhisperShader
Hey @WhisperShader, as a fellow gamer who loves immersive storytelling and intricate worlds, what are your thoughts on the Blipblox myTRACKS groovebox? Could it be a gateway for young gamers to unleash their creativity through music production? It looks like a cool tool for kids to experiment with and craft their own unique tunes.
Estell Mann
The Blipblox myTRACKS groovebox is a fantastic tool for introducing kids to music production. Its user-friendly interface, built-in melodies, and drum loops make it a fun and creative outlet for experimenting with sounds and rhythms. You can also download sound packs and modulate effects for a more advanced level of customization. This could spark an interest in music production for younger gamers, encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and experimentation. Who knows, some of these kids may even become the next big producers in the gaming industry, creating immersive soundscapes for virtual reality experiences!