One of the most fun and exciting things about being a dad is indoctrinating my little one with all of the things I love the most: making electronic music and the works of Tolkien. And with my two years now demanding the Hobbit cartoon from the late 70s instead of Blippy, Trash Truck, and even Bluey, the latter of the two was handled, and I could only hope that Blipblox's Afterdark Synth could help me with the former.
So I spent the last couple of weeks in my studio and in the living room, along with a couple of times taking the Blipblox in the car for some road trips to see the in-laws to see how fast I could get my son addicted to synths. During this time, I found a TON of love about this little travel-friendly noise maker, and better yet, my son did too (all of which this review will cover in its entirety).
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Now, let's dive into what I loved most about it and how it could be improved. But before we do that, let's use this space to celebrate the new product Playtime Engineering has recently released...
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MYTRACKS
myTRACKS
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Amidst the praise for BlipBlox After Dark, Playtime Engineering is preparing to unveil a groundbreaking addition to its product lineup – the Blipblox myTRACKS groovebox. Now introduced via a Kickstarter campaign launched in April 2024, myTRACKS aims to democratize music production further. By combining the visual appeal and safety features of children's toys with the versatile capabilities of a hip-hop-inspired groovebox, myTRACKS is set to broaden the reach of music-making enjoyment.
The company has cultivated a vibrant community of supporters and users who share a mutual love for music and creativity by utilizing crowdfunding to bring their vision to fruition. As we eagerly await the official release of myTRACKS, the enthusiasm within the BlipBlox community is tangible, with many enthusiasts eager to explore the new realms of music production that this latest creation promises to unlock.
WHAT IS BLIPBLOX AFTER DARK
Blipblox After Dark Review
The BlipBlox After Dark synthesizer is a versatile musical instrument that caters to both beginners and professional musicians, making it a top choice for individuals at any skill level. It boasts an extensive selection of over 300 built-in melodies, more than 100 drum samples, 16 tone generators, dual envelope generators, and two Low-Frequency Oscillators (LFOs), providing a wide range for sonic exploration and creativity.
A multi-mode resonant filter and stereo multi-tap delay are added to its capabilities, enabling detailed sound shaping and textural adjustments. This hardware synth stands out with intelligent LED animations that enhance its visual appeal and serve as an interactive guide to synthesis. They simplify complex concepts for beginners while still engaging experienced users.
The BlipBlox After Dark offers excellent connectivity with its 5-pin MIDI input, allowing seamless integration with devices like keyboards, drum machines, and digital audio workstations. This feature ensures easy incorporation into any setup, suitable for studio work and live performances with its 1/4-inch audio output.
The design includes international safety certifications, adjustable volume, and light controls to accommodate users with sensitivities. Its sturdy construction, paired with a 32-bit floating-point synthesis engine, guarantees durability and high-quality sound output, making it a valuable tool for music education, creation, and performance. The addition of Sweetwater's free 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty further highlights its worth, providing users with peace of mind and support.
WHAT MY SON AND I LIKED ABOUT BLIPBLOX AFTER DARK
Unlike complex synthesizers with many knobs, the Blipblox After Dark keeps things simple while still offering a rich sound experience. Its easy-to-use design with extensive controls provides instant feedback that entertains and teaches. The layout encourages experimentation, making it great for kids learning about sound.
Plus, it's durable and portable, perfect for families on the go. Join us on our journey with the Blipblox After Dark, discovering its unique features for beginners and advanced users looking for a simple yet rewarding sound-making experience.
So, let's dive a little deeper...
EVERY KNOB MAKES A MEANINGFUL CHANGE
Blipblox After Dark Review
"Big Kid" synths have tons of knobs and dials, which gives the flexibility to shape and mold a sound inch by inch into exactly what you want. Inch by inch, you can make minute changes as you get lost in the weeds of sound design.
But not with this thing!
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The big knobs and flashy buttons, though few when compared to the change points on my Behringer 2600, all change and morph the sound drastically and dramatically when moved. My son's eyes lit up when he pushed the filter handle up and instantly put two and two together, and the big handle on the right made the sound brighter.
This instant cause and effect is essential for kids, and once my son got the hang of how this little thing worked, he was anxious to see what more buttons, knobs, and handles did.
THE WORKFLOW COULD NOT BE EASIER
Blipblox After Dark Review
I mentioned this above, but the number of features and knobs is left purposely at a minimum, which removes any thought of confusion or signal pathing (not that my two-year-old cared about signal paths) and lets you or your little one mess around and see what happens.
IT'S TRAVEL FRIENDLY
It's the perfect size to take with you on the go, and while it hasn't completely replaced Bluey on the iPad for long road trips to see my in-laws, it extends his time off-screen by a solid 30 minutes before we gave in and just gave him a show to prevent a meltdown.
It fits perfectly in our on-the-go toy bag and has a slim profile to hold his favorite books, cars, and toys.
It's also incredibly sturdy, considering that it's made from plastic. The build quality is easily something they could have cut corners with by going with a cheap or brittle plastic instead, but the shell is well built, and all the knobs, dials, and handles feel as if they are designed to take a toddler-sized beating.
WHAT I WASN'T CRAZY ABOUT
I WISH THERE WERE A BIT MORE MELODIC CONTROL
The one button changes the sequence of the notes playing, generating different little riffs out of the 100 included in the device, which was about all my son needed to get the most out of this toy. That being said, the non-musicality of many of these generic riffs can be a little monotonous, to put it lightly.
Suppose most of the riffs it generated were more musical and easy to listen to. In that case, I think my mom, when she comes to babysit, would be much more apt to let him play with the toy, but she isn't a fan of its unmusicality (even if we tell her how the headphone pairings work).
To its credit, it does have a pretty robust set of inputs and outputs on the back, and you can sync it with MIDI and other connections through the ports on the back. Granted, I think my two-year-old is a bit far off from us feeling safe with him around cords and wires like that, so for now, we'll stick with the randomly generated riffs, and he will be a happy camper.
WHO IS THE BLIPBLOX AFTER DARK FOR?
KIDDOS, OF COURSE...
The target demographic for this device is kids, and almost every choice in design and sound is meant to make it easy for little ones to pick up and start experimenting with sound design and synths. On this promise, it delivers in spades.
My toddler did most of the heavy lifting through this lens for this review, but my nephew also loved this device, and he's three times my toddler's age. So, while I loved my two-year-old experimenting with all that this device has to offer, I'm even more excited to know that it can keep kids' attention for years to come.
...BUT PARENTS WILL DIG IT, TOO THOUGH
Maybe I'm a bit biased, being a professional producer, but any parent excited to buy their child their first synth is likely a synth enthusiast (like me), too. Most of my friends shared this passion and were thrilled to try this new synth.
But let's be honest, it's not just for the kids!
Synth enthusiasts love experimenting with sounds, connecting cables uniquely, and trying different setups. The Blipblox is perfect for this! It has various audio outputs and MIDI capabilities, making it a versatile synth. I know some parents who borrow it from their kids to create music in Ableton or experiment with guitar pedals when the little ones are asleep.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In concluding this exploration of the BlipBlox After Dark synthesizer, it is clear that this device transcends being just a toy. It serves as a bridge that connects newcomers to the intricate world of music production while offering seasoned musicians a fresh perspective on sound creation.
The After Dark synthesizer's intuitive design and extensive feature set position it as an ideal platform for musical experimentation across all age groups.
Looking forward, the excitement surrounding Playtime Engineering's upcoming Blipblox myTRACKS groovebox introduces a thrilling new dimension to their product lineup. With the prospect of blending hip-hop-inspired beats, a diverse range of sounds, and user-friendly design, the myTRACKS is set to democratize music creation further. It represents a progression in Playtime Engineering's mission to make music production accessible and enjoyable for all, solidifying their position as innovators in musical toys and instruments.