BlipBlox
© 2019 Playtime Engineering
This is a hyperactive self-contained MIDI controller designed young children (or adults). There are no traditional piano keys. Instead, you explore the toy-like knobs, buttons and levers to make sounds. There are plugs in back to connect to external instruments, if you have them. From the moment you turn it on, you are presented with a complex pre-made collection of rhythms. It's as if it throws everything at you at once. Your job is to take away sounds and lights, one at a time. A guide book explains each button, which is required because the functions are not immediately obvious. Some functions are harder to distinguish than others. We don't anticipate you'll naturally grasp concepts like Low Pass Filters, Envelope Generators and LFOs, for example. If you're expecting a musical instrument, this mix of complexity and novel interface is likely to be a disappointment, especially given the steep price (about $200). It is possible to plug into a MIDI keyboard or external speakers with the 1/4 inch audio jack, but this process is also complicated. It's unfortunate that without a parent who is educated in digital audio and owns at least a simple synthesizer setup, these features are out of reach. Ships with three AA batteries, one DC-USB power cord and a Quick Start Guide. The Blipblox is designed to play for at least 12 hours on three fresh AA batteries. It automatically powers off if untouched for 30 minutes.
$190, Smart Toy
Teaches: music, fine motor skills, experimentation, digital audio production, MIDI
CTR Rating: 66%